Name: Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ¼ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped finely; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup boiling water; 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed; Green food coloring, optional; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed; 2 cups boiling water; 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin; 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries; Additional whipped topping; Sprinkles or candy

Nothing says festive quite like a dessert that’s bright, creamy, and bursting with holiday cheer. This Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe has been a holiday staple in my family for years — and I swear, it steals the show every time with its layers of tangy lime, sweet strawberries, and fluffy creaminess.

The image shows a thick square slice of layered dessert on a white plate, resting on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light brown, crumbly crust with visible small nuts or grains. Above that is a thick, smooth, and light green layer with a slightly porous texture. Next is a white creamy layer that looks soft and fluffy. On top of this is a bright red, translucent gelatin layer. The dessert is finished with a thick, white whipped cream layer spread unevenly on top. Scattered on the whipped cream are shiny, round candies in red and green colors. In the background, a larger, rectangular version of the dessert is visible in a clear dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I'm always excited to pull out this Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe around the holidays because it’s not just visually stunning but also so easy to make. The flavors come together in a way that feels fresh and festive, yet comfortingly familiar.

Vibrant Flavors: The zesty lime pairs perfectly with juicy strawberries, making each bite refreshing.
Simple Layers: No fancy equipment needed—just well-layered gelatin, cream cheese, and whipped topping.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it ahead of time, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season.
Show-Stopping Presentation: Those festive red and green layers really pop on the table and draw everybody in.

This dessert slice has four clear layers from bottom to top: a light tan crumbly crust, a thick layer of light green creamy filling, a bright red jelly layer, and a top white whipped cream layer decorated with evenly spaced red and green round candies. The slice is on a white plate sitting on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding a fork lifting a piece showing all layers clearly. In the background, there is a bowl filled with red and green candies, a glass dish with more of the layered dessert, and another slice of the same dessert on a white plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe shines because it balances fruity flavors with creamy textures. Each ingredient plays a role in creating those iconic, colorful layers—and don’t skimp on fresh strawberries; they make all the difference!

Flat lay of a small mound of pale all-purpose flour, two tablespoons of fine granulated sugar in a neat pile, a handful of finely chopped pecans and walnuts mixed together, a stick of unsalted butter softened with a slight sheen, a small white bowl filled with steaming boiling water, an uncracked brown egg with a smooth shell, a block of smooth cream cheese in soft white, a fluffy cloud of whipped topping in a white ceramic bowl, a few drops of green food coloring in a tiny white bowl, a second uncracked egg with a clean shell, another small white bowl of granulated sugar, a larger white bowl holding fresh, bright red sliced strawberries glistening with natural juice, a small white bowl with clear strawberry gelatin mixture, and an additional small white bowl of whipped topping, all meticulously arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Forms a simple, buttery crust that holds the layers perfectly without overpowering flavors.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust and cream cheese layers just right.
Pecans or walnuts: Add a gentle crunch—feel free to toast them lightly for extra flavor.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness to the crust and helps with browning.
Lime gelatin: Its tartness cuts through the cream cheese, keeping the dessert light and refreshing.
Cream cheese: Adds creamy tang—it softens the gelatin’s firmness and keeps each layer moist.
Whipped topping: Keeps everything fluffy and luscious, making the dessert feel like a treat.
Green food coloring (optional): For that festive pop of color; totally optional but fun!
Strawberry gelatin: Brings sweetness and a lovely rosy hue to the top layer.
Fresh strawberries: The star of the show—fresh fruit gives texture and natural sweetness.
Additional whipped topping & sprinkles: For garnishing and adding that personal festive touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this dessert just as the recipe suggests, but I also encourage you to tweak it to match your family’s tastes. Whether you like a little extra lime zing or want to swap nuts for something else, this dessert is flexible and forgiving.

Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of shredded coconut to the crust for a tropical twist, and it’s surprisingly delicious.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, try using light cream cheese and whipped topping—you get the flavor with fewer calories.
Seasonal swap: Out of strawberries? Raspberries or cherries can work beautifully, keeping that holiday red theme.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Bake a Perfect, Buttery Crust

Combine flour, sugar, chopped nuts, and softened butter until it feels like wet sand. Press it firmly into your sprayed 13x9 baking dish, making sure the layer is even—this crust is the dessert’s sturdy foundation. Bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool completely to avoid melting the next layers.

Step 2: Lime Gelatin and Cream Cheese Magic

Mix the lime gelatin powder with boiling water, stirring for a full two minutes so there’s no graininess. Chill it in the fridge until it’s partially firm—around an hour! Then beat a softened block of cream cheese until smooth, slowly add the cooled gelatin, and fold in the thawed whipped topping for a fluffy, tangy layer that sits beautifully on the crust.

Step 3: Cream Cheese & Sugar Second Layer

Whip up a second cream cheese layer with sugar for sweetness and whipped topping for creaminess. Spread it carefully over the lime gelatin layer and refrigerate until set—roughly 30-40 minutes. Patience here pays off because it keeps layers neat and distinct.

Step 4: Strawberry Gelatin and Fresh Berries Finish

Dissolve the strawberry gelatin in boiling water and stir in a generous amount of sliced strawberries. Chill it until it’s starting to thicken but still spoonable, checking every 10 minutes. This step is key to prevent the gelatin from sinking too much into the layers below. Gently spoon this fruity top layer over the creamy second layer and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours until utterly firm.

Top Tip

In my experience, the waiting is the hardest part but crucial for this dessert to hold its shape and flavor layers. Here are a few tips I’ve learned over many holiday seasons to make this dessert a real winner:

Perfect Gelatin Dissolving: Always stir gelatin for the full two minutes in boiling water, or you’ll risk grainy texture.
Partial Firming: Chill gelatin layers until just partially set before adding cream cheese or subsequent layers to prevent mixing.
Gentle Spreading: Spoon the top strawberry layer slowly over the back of a spoon to avoid poking holes in the cream cheese layer.
Cool Crust: Always let crust cool all the way before adding wet layers to keep everything crisp and structured.

How to Serve Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe

Christmas Strawberry Lime - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I serve this dessert, a dollop of freshly whipped cream on each slice and a sprinkle of red and green holiday sprinkles go on top. Sometimes I even add a few whole strawberries for extra freshness and color contrast. It’s those little touches that make it feel like a festive treat.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a light salad or even savory ham at a holiday buffet. It feels like the perfect palate cleanser after heavier main courses.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I love making this Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe in a large glass trifle bowl so everyone can see those gorgeous layers. It’s an instant conversation starter! You could also make it in mini glass jars for individual servings, which is great for potlucks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge. Because of the whipped topping, it’s best eaten within 3-4 days for the freshest texture and flavor. I’ve noticed the crust holds up well, staying pleasantly crumbly.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my favorite for this dessert since gelatin can change texture when frozen, but if you must, freeze it in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge. It might be a bit softer after thawing.

Reheating

This dessert is best served cold, so no reheating needed. Just pop it out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off for the best flavor delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flavored gelatin other than lime and strawberry?

Absolutely! You can swap lime with lemon or citrus flavors, and the strawberry layer can be replaced with raspberry or cherry. Just keep in mind how the flavors blend together.

How do I prevent the layers from mixing?

The key is letting each layer chill in the fridge until it’s partially or fully set before adding the next. This creates clear, distinct layers that look impressive and taste great.

Can I prepare this dessert the day before Christmas?

Yes! This dessert actually benefits from sitting overnight as the flavors meld, and the gelatin layers firm up perfectly for slicing the next day.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can try substituting the cream cheese and whipped topping with dairy-free alternatives, but the texture will vary. Just make sure the dairy-free products are firm enough to create layers.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Strawberry Lime Gelatin Dessert Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday treats because it’s cheerful, easy, and always gets compliments. I hope you’ll give it a try and make it your own tradition—it's the kind of dessert you’ll come back to year after year, just like I do!