When I think of holiday jello, I think of those christmas jellos that your “aunt susie” or grandma would make filled with all sorts of colors, shapes and textures that could be questionable. All jokes aside, I am admittedly actually a pretty big fan of jello. I love how simple it is, yet so fruity and flavorful. It’s such an easy, likable treat to enjoy. Now, take that simplicity and amp up by adding a creamy whipped cream filling, plus a tasty crust and your jello game will be on point!

The reason I like this dessert so much is because when I see these strawberry jello bars it means it’s officially the holidays in our household! This is a dessert that has been a family tradition for many years. We don’t go a holiday season without it! It’s such an easy make ahead dessert that is guaranteed to be a crowd favorite. The crust is savory and crumbly with a creamy filling and a sweet topping. You can’t go wrong and this just shows you that you no longer have to be afraid of that jiggly jello that gets added to your holiday spreads.

Now, some might consider this a summertime treat and it absolutely can be! This is perfect for those summer picnics or bbqs as well given that this is a dessert that classifies as creamy and cool. But, those bright red colors scream festive holiday vibes to me.

I changed up my family recipe a bit by using light coconut whipped cream for the filling to make it a little lighter and have a dairy free aspect to it. You can also make it lighter by using light cream cheese as well. I also added salted pretzels to the crust. My original family recipe is a traditional graham cracker crust, but I wanted to incorporate some saltiness and crunch to the bottom.

When it comes to the fresh strawberries, I sliced them, laid them flat and pressed them into the whipped cream filling. But, if you are a strawberry lover, feel free to load it up with strawberry pieces and cut them how you would like.

When making this ahead of time, allow for a minimum of 4-5 hours and a maximum of 24. I recommend leaving it in the fridge overnight if you can. But, if you are in a bit of a time crunch or need a same day dessert just allow at least 4-5 hours for the jello to set.

Did you make this? If so, make sure to tag and follow @prettyplatebymichelle on instagram or leave a comment below and let me know what you thought! I love to see your Pretty Plate and hear from you!