Fruit Jelly Cake Recipe (Big Family-Size)

Ingredients:

For the Fruit Layer:

2 oranges or mandarins (peeled and separated)
2 kiwis (peeled and sliced)
2 bananas (sliced)
1 cup strawberries or raspberries (halved if large)
1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
1 cup diced mango or papaya
1 cup diced watermelon or red grapefruit

Use any mix of colorful fresh fruits. Avoid overly juicy fruits like watermelon in large amounts or drain them well.

For the Creamy Gelatin Base:

2½ cups plain yogurt or sour cream
1½ cups sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
4 tbsp unflavored gelatin powder (or 4 packets, ~28g)
½ cup cold water (to bloom the gelatin)
1 cup hot water (to dissolve the gelatin)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Fruits:

Wash, peel, and cut all fruits into bite-sized pieces.
Place them evenly into a large mold, loaf pan, or rectangular dish.
Try to layer colorful fruits throughout for a pretty slice.

2. Bloom the Gelatin:

In a bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over ½ cup cold water.
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to bloom (absorb).

3. Dissolve Gelatin:

Add 1 cup hot water to the bloomed gelatin.
Stir well until completely dissolved and smooth.

4. Make Creamy Mixture:

In a large bowl, combine yogurt (or sour cream), sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla.
Stir in the dissolved gelatin mixture and mix until fully blended.

5. Assemble:

Slowly pour the creamy gelatin mixture over the arranged fruits.
Tap the mold gently to release air bubbles.

6. Chill to Set:

Cover and refrigerate for at least 6–8 hours (or overnight) until fully set.

To Serve:

Gently loosen the edges with a knife.
Invert onto a tray if using a mold, or slice directly from a glass dish.
Cut into thick, colorful slices.

📝 Tips:

For a vegan version, use coconut cream and agar-agar powder instead of gelatin.
Add a pinch of lemon zest for extra freshness.
Use silicone molds for easy removal.

History & Benefits:

This dessert is inspired by European jelly cakes and popular in Slavic and Middle Eastern cuisines. It combines the lightness of gelatin with the richness of cream and the natural sweetness of fruit. It’s high in Vitamin C, calcium, and protein (thanks to the dairy), and is low-fat, making it perfect for warm days.