Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares

Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares

By now you probably know that I love retrorecipes. This one was inspired by a recipe in a spiral-bound 1963 cookbook called ‘Joys of Jello’. It was given to me by Oscar, a friend of the family who just turned 91 years old. I feel lucky that he chose me to inherit some of his late wife’s cookbooks and recipes.  I intend to put them all to good use!

Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares

Leafing through the book was like backward time travel. Some recipes were kooky (hellooo ‘Ring Around the Tuna’– an actual recipe on page 65) and clearly belonged in this category, while others looked deliciously fruity and fun. I picked out one of the fruity recipes and gave it a maraschino cherry makeover. I love the aesthetic of Broken Glass Dessert (also known as Crown Jewel Cake, that’s my version from 2011), so I added a few cherry Jello cubes to the recipe.

Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares
Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares

Yes absolutely without question I adore a graham cracker crust. This one is made of just two ingredients: melted butter and crumbs. The whipped maraschino filling will set up quick, so as soon as you pour it over the crust, add the jello cubes on top and press them in with your fingers (or the back of a spatula). Spread on the whipped topping and chill in the fridge until firm.

Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares

The filling has the unmistakable flavor of maraschino cherry and a creamy-spongy texture. The buttery graham crust and whipped cream makes this dessert reminiscent of no-bake pie. I added a small ribbon of chocolate on top of each square because I thought it would look pretty, and I like a little chocolate with my cherries.

Whipped Maraschino Cherry Squares

Heather Baird
Prepare the cherry Jello the night before you make this dessert so it is well firmed and ready to be cubed. I use the maraschino cherry juice straight from the jar of stemmed cherries (the really sweet stuff – don’t use unsweet!). If you come up short of one cup maraschino juice, you can add fruit juice or grenadine to bring the measurement to 1 cup.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
3 hours setting time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
 
 

Jello cubes

  • 1 package 3oz/85g Cherry or Black Cherry Jello Gelatin
  • 1 cup 240 ml boiling water
  • 1/2 cup 120 ml cold water

Graham Crust

  • 1 cup 100g graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • Maraschino cherry filling
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon plain powdered gelatin about 2.5 envelopes
  • 1 cup 240 ml maraschino cherry juice
  • 1/4 cup 60 ml cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups 360 ml heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks

Whipped cream topping

  • 3/4 cup 180 ml heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Chocolate ribbon and décor

  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate
  • 8-10 whole maraschino cherries with stems

Instructions
 

  • Make the Jello cubes: Combine the package of cherry Jello and hot water in a bowl; stir until the sugar is dissolved and stir in the cold water. Pour the gelatin in a shallow dish (8 or 9-inch) and refrigerate for several hours or overnight until firm. Cut the firm Jello into 1-inch cubes. Measure out about 2/3 cup cubes and set aside (you will have left over Jello cubes for snacks!).
  • Line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper (or waxed paper) that overhangs all four edges of the pan.
  • Make the graham crust: Stir together the graham crumbs and melted butter until all the crumbs are coated and the mixture resembles wet sand. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Make the filling: Whisk together the powdered gelatin and maraschino juice in a small saucepan; wait about 3 minutes for the gelatin to disperse evenly. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is clear and no granules of gelatin remain. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl; add the 1/4 cup cold water and stir. Refrigerate until cool (stirring intermittently) and slightly thickened but not set, about 10 minutes. Fold the maraschino gelatin mixture into the whipped cream and immediately pour over the graham crust in the pan. Quickly add the Jello cubes and press them into the mixture with the back of a spatula.
  • Make the whipped cream: In an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the heavy cream while adding the granulated sugar gradually. Beat to stiff peaks. Spread the whipped topping over the maraschino filling. Refrigerate until the dessert is set, about 3 to 4 hours.
  • Prepare the chocolate: Heat the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave at 100% power at 20 second increments until the chocolate is melted and can be stirred smooth. Let cool slightly. Transfer to a zip-top bag and snip a tiny hole in one corner.
  • Remove the dessert from the pan by lifting it out by the overhanging paper. Cut into squares. Arrange the squares on a large serving plate and pipe chocolate ribbons onto each square. Top each square with one maraschino cherry. Serve.
  • Keep left overs covered in the refrigerator.
Keyword coconut whipped cream, Jello, maraschino cherry
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Bella B
Bella B
7 years ago

Wow this looks so yummy! I love jello!!

http://xoxobella.com

Ellen
Ellen
7 years ago

So cute! Do you have Pillsbury: the Best of the Bake-off? Great retro recipes with winners recipes from the beginning. Fun to see what was "in style" from different areas of the country way back when as well as what is coming or has come back as "new"!

Oana
Oana
7 years ago

Oh my, this looks so fun! So colorful and delicious!
Always an inspiration to all of us!

United Cakedom
United Cakedom
7 years ago

Love retro desserts! I can't wait to see what else you make from the books you inherited! Loving the colors of this dessert!

Unknown
Unknown
7 years ago

It looks like one of the retro cakes that Andy Warhol drew in the early days of his career. LOVE.

La cocina de Cris y Laura
La cocina de Cris y Laura
7 years ago

estupenda tarta y preciosa presentada.
besos crisylaura

Personalised Teddy Bears
Personalised Teddy Bears
7 years ago

These look amazing. Love looking at your recipes.

Sue
Sue
7 years ago

So cheery! What a treasure to be gifted the cookbooks!

Dawn
Dawn
7 years ago

I have The Joys of Jello recipe book!! Got it from my Sunday School teacher when I was in the 6th grade. Still like to make some of the recipes in there. This looks beautiful.

Anonymous
Anonymous
7 years ago

Thank you for the recipe. I really liked the recipe. Usually I choose local stores or Custom Restaurant Desserts since they provide desserts in bulk and that too as per the customers choice. But since it was my husband's birthday….I wanted to do something at home. Instead of using jello I used cherries and blueberries and it was delicious.

Unknown
Unknown
7 years ago

Each slice is absolutely perfect!! The photos could easily be turned into a really cool, retro painting. The next Wayne Thiebaud. Love it!

Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers
Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers
7 years ago

These is a gorgeous dessert!

Coco Cake Land
Coco Cake Land
7 years ago

oh my gosh i love everything about this. so vintage, so cute – i love graham cracker crust too, AND we grew up on Jell-o… hehe. love it, Heather! xo