Crown Jewels Cake

Yes, it is Jell-O.

The recipe comes from my well-used 1973 edition of the New Joys Of Jell-O.

This isn't the sort of thing you make everyday (since it takes two days to assemble) but with Thanksgiving coming up in the United States, when people often bring a Jello-Mould to the table, I thought I'd offer-up this beauty. Besides, you're going to need something to offer the pie-phobics. This has quite a bit of fat from the heavy cream, but it is still a far cry from pie pastry.

I would have used a smaller pan (if I'd had one) to make this more impressive. I forgot to save out a bit of the Jell-O to garnish the top though honestly, that's probably pushing the bounds of tacky. I mean, you're making a feaking Jello-Cake-that's not exactly a sign of a cosmopolitan hostess. I dare say, serving this along side a green bean casserole might start the in-laws gossiping, but then, if you're the sort of person that would bring a Jello-Mould to the table in the first place (a person like say...myself) you probably already know the in-laws are snickering.

They won't snicker once they get a taste of it though-this baby is good.

The original recipe called for Dream Whip envelopes which are no longer available here. I prefer real dairy anyhow. It worked fine as a substitute.

You Will Need:

3 3 oz. packages of Jell-O in colours you like for the interior

1 3 oz. package of lemon Jell-O for the cream

3 cups boiling water

1 1/2 cups cold water

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup pineapple juice

2 cups whipped cream sweetened to taste

Vanilla (optional)

Day One:

Prepare the three interior flavours of jello using 1 cup hot water and 1/2 cup cold water for each package. Pour into 8 inch pans and chill well overnight.

Cut into cubes with a sharp knife. Remove to a bowl.

Prepare the lemon jello adding the sugar to the powder. In place of the cold water, add the pineapple juice. Chill until slightly thickened.

When jello is slightly thickened, make the whipped cream, sweetening as desired. Fold the gelatin into the whipped cream. Pour into a 9 inch spring form pan and let chill five hours or overnight.