How to Make a Stars-and-Stripes Gelatin

To make the flag dessert, all you need is a small star cookie cutter — and lots of gelatin. The project is as easy as boiling water (seriously!), but it takes time. Make sure you start early, or better yet, make it a day or two ahead. Read on for the how-to.

Photography by Levi Brown

Make the blue stars: Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Stir the blue gelatin, unflavored gelatin and 4 cups boiling water in a large bowl until dissolved. Pour into the pan. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.

Loosen the edges of the blue gelatin with a knife and turn out onto a cutting board. Cut out about 36 stars using a 2-inch star cutter. Refrigerate the stars until needed. Lightly coat a 9-inch-square, 2 1/4-inch-deep pan with cooking spray.

Make the first red layer: Sprinkle 1 packet unflavored gelatin over 1/4 cup cold water in a bowl; let stand 1 minute. Add 1 cup boiling water and 1 box red gelatin. Stir to dissolve, pour into the square pan and refrigerate until just set, 15 minutes.