Name: Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake 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 finely chopped pecans or walnuts; 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 for garnish

There’s something irresistibly festive about the vibrant flavors of lime and strawberry mingling in a creamy, jiggly dessert. This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe is a delightful treat that feels like a holiday hug in every bite. Trust me, it’s more than just a pretty dessert — it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings fresh, tangy sweetness together with indulgent creaminess.

This image shows a square dessert with five layers on a white plate. The bottom layer is a beige, crumbly crust with small nut pieces. Above it is a thick, smooth mint green layer. Next is a white fluffy layer with some small air holes, followed by a semi-translucent bright red jelly layer. The top layer is a thick white whipped cream with a swirled texture, decorated with red and green round candy pieces scattered on top. The background is a white marbled texture. 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 Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every holiday season, I look forward to making this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between nostalgic and refreshing. It’s easy to prepare but looks elegant enough for special occasions.

Bright and Festive Colors: The lime green and bright strawberry red layers bring a cheerful vibe to your holiday table.
Simple Layers: Each layer comes together quickly, with familiar ingredients, making it beginner-friendly.
Perfect Texture Contrast: The crisp crust balances the creamy middle, while the gelatin top adds a light, fruity finish.
Customizable Fun: You can easily jazz it up with food coloring, fresh fruit, or fun holiday sprinkles to make it truly your own.

The image shows a slice of layered dessert on a stack of white plates with a white marbled texture background. The dessert has four main layers: the bottom crust layer is light tan and slightly crumbly; above it is a thick mint green creamy layer; on top of that is a bright red translucent gelatin layer; and the top layer is fluffy white whipped cream decorated with red and green round candy pieces. A fork holds a piece of the dessert, showing each layer clearly and the creamy texture of the whipped topping. In the background, part of a tray of the whole dessert and a bowl filled with red and green candies are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients combine classic Jello salad flavors with creamy layers that keep this cake light, yet satisfying. I like to pick fresh strawberries for the best taste and texture, and softened cream cheese for that smooth richness.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, two tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small white bowl, a handful of finely chopped mixed pecans and walnuts on a white ceramic dish, a stick of unsalted butter unwrapped and fresh looking, a small white bowl filled with boiling water, a small box of lime gelatin powder beside it, a block of cream cheese softened on a plain white plate, a container of fluffy whipped topping scooped into another white bowl, a small white bowl of green food coloring droplets, a second block of softened cream cheese on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, two small boxes of strawberry gelatin powder, a generous pile of sliced fresh strawberries arranged neatly on a white plate, and additional whipped topping in a white bowl next to some colorful sprinkles on a separate small white dish, placed 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: Provides a sturdy, yet tender base for the crust that holds up well under those creamy layers.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the crust and cream cheese layers perfectly without overwhelming the fruit flavors.
Chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts): Adds a delightful crunch and slight earthiness to the crust.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter helps bind the crust and delivers rich flavor.
Lime gelatin: Brings that iconic tang and bright green color that feels so festive.
Cream cheese: Gives the creamy layers structure and a luscious tang to balance the sweetness.
Whipped topping: Lightens the cream cheese for a fluffy, airy texture.
Green food coloring (optional): Intensifies the lime layer’s vibrant shade—totally optional, but fun.
Strawberry gelatin: Sweet and fruity, it makes the perfect top layer that’s visually stunning with fresh strawberries swirling inside.
Fresh strawberries: The star player in the top layer, they add natural sweetness and texture.
Additional whipped topping and sprinkles/candy: For garnish and a festive finishing 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 adding my own little twists to this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe depending on the crowd or occasion. It encourages you to make it your own and have fun while doing it!

Variation: One holiday, I swapped out the pecans with toasted coconut flakes in the crust — it added a nice tropical flair that surprised everyone and got rave reviews.
Diet-friendly: For a lighter version, you could use sugar-free gelatin and reduced-fat cream cheese to cut calories without sacrificing flavor.
Seasonal change: In summer, I sometimes replace the strawberries with raspberries or mixed berries for a colorful twist.
Difficulty adjustment: Beginners can skip adding green food coloring for a more natural look, and still get impressive results.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe

Step 1: Creating the Perfect Golden Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray—this keeps your crust from sticking. Combine flour, sugar, finely chopped nuts, and softened butter in a bowl. I use my hands or a pastry cutter to mix until the texture feels crumbly but holds together when pressed. Press this mixture evenly into the pan, then bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. It’s important to let it cool completely; otherwise, the layers won’t set properly later on.

Step 2: Mixing the Tangy Lime Layer

While the crust cools, dissolve the lime gelatin in boiling water, stirring well for about two minutes until fully dissolved. Pop this in the fridge to partially set—about an hour is perfect so it’s thick but not solid. This makes folding in the cream cheese smoother and the texture just right. Meanwhile, beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then slowly add the partially set lime gelatin, mixing until silky. Fold in the whipped topping gently to keep that light, fluffy structure. For a festive punch, add a few drops of green food coloring here if you like. Spread this over the cooled crust and refrigerate to set for about 30 to 40 minutes.

Step 3: Whipping Up the Sweet Cream Cheese Layer

In a clean bowl, beat the second package of cream cheese with sugar until perfectly smooth. Fold the whipped topping in gently, just like before, to keep things airy. Spread this creamy layer evenly over the set lime layer. Refrigerate again for 30 to 40 minutes to help it firm up before moving on to the final fruity topper.

Step 4: Creating the Juicy Strawberry Topping

Dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring for about two minutes until completely melted. Stir in your sliced fresh strawberries right away. This part needs some patience—put your bowl in the fridge and stir every 10 minutes or so until the mixture thickens enough to be spoonable but not runny. This usually takes around 30 minutes. If it’s too thin, it will seep through and mix with other layers, which you don’t want. Once the consistency feels right, gently spoon it over the cream cheese layer. Chill for 2 to 4 hours until firm.

Step 5: The Festive Finale

Once set, top your Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake with extra whipped topping and sprinkle with holiday candies or sprinkles for that perfect seasonal sparkle. Slice and serve chilled for a refreshing holiday dessert everyone will dive into.

Top Tip

From my many times making this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe, I've learned a few simple tricks to keep it flawless and stress-free for you!

Partial Setting of Gelatin Layers: Chilling the gelatin layers until partially set before folding or spreading helps keep the layers distinct and firm rather than watery and blended together.
Softened Ingredients Are Key: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are soft for easy mixing and smooth textures without lumps.
Don’t Rush the Top Layer: Stirring the strawberry gelatin every 10 minutes while it cools helps you judge the right spoonable consistency—too thin and it slips through, too thick and it won’t spread nicely.
Avoid Overmixing: When folding in whipped topping, use gentle movements to keep it light and fluffy so your cake stays airy instead of dense.

How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe

Lime Strawberry Jello Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a swirl of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of red and green holiday candy sprinkles—makes it irresistible to kids and adults alike. Sometimes, for extra flair, I add a few whole strawberries or a dusting of lime zest to amp up the freshness and color contrast.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with classic holiday mains—think roasted ham or turkey. If you’re serving it at a casual potluck, simple fruit salads or light citrus-flavored drinks work beautifully alongside, complementing those zesty flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like slicing the cake into little squares then dusting powdered sugar on top and piercing each with a festive toothpick. You could also serve it in clear individual cups or mason jars layered with extra fresh strawberries and whipped topping—so cute and fuss-free.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I always cover mine tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the whipped topping from drying out or absorbing fridge odors.

Freezing

I usually avoid freezing this cake because the texture of gelatin and whipped topping changes after thawing, often becoming a bit watery. However, if you do decide to freeze, slice it first, freeze individual pieces on a tray, then wrap well to minimize frost—use within a month.

Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed cold straight from the fridge, so there’s no need to reheat. If you find the gelatin too firm, letting it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving softens it perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake actually benefits from sitting overnight so all the layers set beautifully and flavors meld together. Just cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

What if I don’t have fresh strawberries?

You can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid watery layers. Fresh fruit definitely gives the best texture and flavor though.

Can I substitute other fruits in this recipe?

Yes! Raspberries, blueberries, or mixed berries work wonderfully in the top gelatin layer. Just keep the fruit sliced into bite-sized pieces for even layering.

Is this cake gluten-free?

The crust contains all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. For a gluten-free version, you could try substituting with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or a gluten-free flour blend in the crust.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe holds a special place in my holiday dessert lineup because it’s an easy, fun way to add fresh flavor and vibrant color to dessert time. I hope you try it out and tweak it to your liking—the smiles and compliments you’ll get are totally worth the effort!