My Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream is a light and refreshing dessert that tastes faintly of Turkish Delight. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make!
Really refreshing with loads of lovely flavours, Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream is the perfect treat for busy summer days. The recipe serves 4, but if there are fewer of you, the jelly will keep for a couple of days. Once the jelly is set, it’s just a quick assembly job to make this easy, light and delicious dessert.
A Recipe That Brings Back Memories
My Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream always brings back memories. These crystal dishes are part of my earliest experience of being in the kitchen with my late Mom. Mom was a great believer in not letting special things “gather dust in the cupboard”, of using them as regularly as possible and enjoying them. So when we made jello, we used her cut glass crystal sherbet dishes. In retrospect I think my Mom was a brave woman, as if memory serves me correctly we started to make jello together when I was about three or four – and I was not the most co-ordinated of children.
I was fascinated by the x and circle shapes cut into the glasses. My Mom explained that they were called ‘cross and olive’ crystal and that they were very old. They had belonged to my Mom’s own mother who had died before I was born and who, my Mom explained, she missed very much. These days, I understand exactly how she felt.
Mom’s Tip for Helping Jelly Set Faster
I remember the glasses lined up on the counter, as I stood stirring the jello and hot water with a wooden spoon, I’d be holding firmly on to the handle of the pyrex jug we always made jello in just like Mom told me, “so you won’t burn yourself, April”. Mom always used ice cubes to make the jello set faster, and I used to love to watch them melt into the hot, thickening liquid as I continued to stir. Then would come the time to – very carefully – poor the now cool jello into the crystal dishes, before covering them with plastic wrap. Then I’d carry them to the fridge, one at a time, holding each glass “with both hands”. I never, ever broke one.
Strangely enough though, now my Mom’s cross and olive glasses are here in my house, they’ve stayed firmly shut in my china cabinet – in view, but rarely used. I was heart-broken when I lost both parents within weeks of each other ten years ago, and I had kept many of the things they left me safely shut away in case they got broken too. A while ago though, it occurred to me that Mom wouldn’t want to see her things shut away. So when I make this Raspberry and Rose Jelly, I use her cross and olive dishes.
Perfect for Entertaining
Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream recipe is a little more cosmopolitan than the Jello I made as a child, but it’s every bit as easy. Light and refreshing, it’s the perfect summer dessert, tasting faintly of Turkish Delight and Arabian Nights. I call it jelly because that’s what it is called here in England. As a child I didn’t think of Jello as a brand, but I have to remember that it is!
Jelly is often made from gelatine squares or tablets here in the UK, although you can buy powdered sachets. I confess I keep my eyes open for Jello, which is sometimes available online, and I even bring it back with me from Canada and the US. I made this recipe using Sugar Free Raspberry Jello, but use whatever brand you prefer. Rosewater – or rose flower water – is widely available in supermarkets in the UK. In Canada and the US I have seen rosewater on sale in the speciality sections of some grocery stores, in gourmet shops and online.
You can easily make the jelly ahead, and finish the dessert off at the last minute, making it perfect for entertaining or easy weeknight suppers.
Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream Printable Recipe
Raspberry and Rose Jelly and Cream
Ingredients
- 1 package Raspberry jelly or Jello or in the UK you can use Hartley's Instant Raspberry Jelly You need a package that will to serve 4. Sugar free jelly is a great option
- 1 cup fresh raspberries, washed and drained
- ½ cup double cream also known as heavy cream, or use whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar also known as confectioner's sugar
- ½ teaspoon rosewater, divided
- 1 tablespoon shelled pistachios, finely sliced or chopped
- whole mint leaves, washed and dried
Instructions
- Prepare the jelly or Jello according to package directions. Use very cold water or ice cubes for the cold water part of the instructions.
- Stir in one quarter teaspoon of rose water.
- Pour the jelly into pretty dishes. Carefully add a few raspberries to each dish, pushing them down into the liquid. Reserve the remaining raspberries for garnish.
- Cover the dishes and chill until set.
- Whisk the sugar and remaining quarter teaspoon of rose water into the cream.
- Whip the cream with an electric mixer or hand whisk until soft peaks form.
- Garnish the jellies with whipped cream and raspberries.
- Sprinkle the pistachios over top.
- Garnish with mint leaves.
Notes
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag #apriljharris on Instagram and follow @apriljharris for more.
More Easy Summer Dessert Recipes
Easy Individual Almond Trifles
Raspberry Bakewell Tart Squares
Comments & Reviews
Diane Balch says
I grew up looking at a very large built in cabinet filled with my mother’s silver and crystal. She only used these on special occasions. My mom gave me some of trove when she moved and I use her fancy crystal and silver serving sets all the time. Life is too short not to enjoy your finery, so I’m with your mom, but I understand the emotional need to keep anything connected with your parents safe. My dad died a long time ago, five years is not that long yet.
Well, I love this Jello and I will make it in some fine crystal champagne glasses in honor of your mom. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe and your memories with us on foodie friday. I still often think of your teacup post.
April Harris says
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Diane. It’s so thoughtful of you. I hope you enjoy the recipe. It would look beautiful in your crystal champagne glasses!
Swathi says
Delicious dessert very elegant April.
April Harris says
Thank you, Swathi 🙂 x
Cindy @Hun... What's for Dinner? says
Those are such lovely dishes! I’ve never used rose water before, but I’m sure it added a slightly beautiful flavour to the whipped cream. Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
April Harris says
Thank you, Cindy! Rosewater is a wonderful ingredient. You just have to be careful not to use too much 😉
Diane Balch says
Just want you to know that your recipe is being featured on foodie friday today. I will be pinning and tweeting it too this week. Thanks again for being part of our party.
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Diane 🙂 x
Vicky says
I think your Mother would be so proud to see your creations in her glasses! I’m a great believer in using things and not hiding them behind closed doors!
I’m trying to persuade my Mother to part with a few things she no longer uses but I think just looking at them brings back fond memories!
The glasses are beautiful!
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Vicky!
Madaline says
This is such a beautiful story and your writing is absolutely amazing- you made me feel like I was in the kitchen with you and your mom. My mom has the same philosophy of not allowing the pretties to gather dust – and I’m so happy you made this beautiful dessert in these gorgeous custard cups. Beautiful
Thank you so much for sharing – this one touched me!
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Madaline 🙂
Mel {MamaBuzz} says
Oh April, I love the story behind this recipe and your beautiful crystal dishes. It inspires me to use more of my precious dishes. I have just a few things that belonged to my grandmother, but I don’t use them because I don’t want anything to happen to them. The dessert looks and sounds wonderful! I don’t know that I’ve ever tried rosewater in anything.
So, Jello is called Jelly in England? Love learning things like this.:)
Diane says
Strangely enough your post reminds me of my own childhood. Both my grandma and mom made desserts like this in special glasses. But sadly They weren’t so able to risk their pretty dishes on a child. Your momma must have been something special. I’m glad for your special moments with her!
Thanks so much for sharing this post with us at #PureBlogLove link Party! the party starts every Thursday Evening at 8 p.m. EST. I’m hosting over at http://www.homemadefoodjunkie.com. Can’t wait to see what you bring next week!
April Harris says
Thank you, Diane, she really was an amazing lady 🙂 Mom always told me it was better something broke or got lost than that sit un-used in the cupboard – even after a china dish my Grandma had hand painted broke when she was using it one day. (Mom was so sad!) My Dad managed to glue it together and although we can’t use it, I still have it 🙂 I always try to remember her advice and use family dishes etc 🙂
Miz Helen says
Hi April,
What beautiful memories and a beautiful post, in addition to a very special dessert. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Miz Helen! Hope you have a lovely week!
Adriana says
What a beautiful story! I will make this recipe with my kids. Thanks for sharing!
Adriana says
I gave the recipe 5 stars but don’t know what happened.
April Harris says
Don’t worry, must have been a glitch. I really appreciate you trying!
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Adriana. I’m so glad you liked it. It’s definitely a great recipe to make with kids, that is for sure 🙂
Adriana says
What a beautiful story. I am touched! Will most definitely make this recipe with my kids and will let them know your story. Thanks for sharing.
April Harris says
That is so lovely of you to share the story with your kids as well, Adriana. Thank you 🙂
Hadia says
Never used rose water in Jello, April, though I adore it scent and taste. Very creative and love the elegant presentation. Pinning.
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Hadia, and thank you for pinning too.
Platter Talk says
Growing up, we used crystal like this to hold desserts on holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Brings back memories…. Love the idea of rosewater, too.
April Harris says
I’m so glad the post brought back memories of Thanksgivings and Christmases gone by, Dan. I always enjoy a walk down memory lane. And thank you, Rosewater really is such a great ingredient.
Ruby says
Hi April , I love hearing stories of things you did with your mom and seeing the dishes that are special to you . She was a great cook ! She got me using rice vinegar which is now a staple in my pantry . Heather brought back some rosewater from England so I’m going to ask her for some to make this recipe . It looks really good ! That’s so true about enjoying your good china and feeling connected to the person who passed it on to you . Ruby xx
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Ruby 🙂 She really was. I know you will love the rosewater. It’s one of my favourite special ingredients 🙂
Judd@glutenfree A-Z Blog says
April,
My crystal from my mom is put away. I just don’t want to have to wash it all by hand to use it..I should take it out and at least use it for just me and my husband!
I love how pretty your dessert looks in the crystal glass.
April Harris says
Honestly, it is worth getting it our Judee 🙂 I hate hand washing too (and I’m terrified of breakages) but it’s so good to enjoy your special things. And thank you 🙂
The Ninja Baker says
Gorgeous story, April! Poignant…and full of great pointers for fantastic jelly, too <3 Brilliant of you to think of rosewater.
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Kim 🙂
Carol says
Using your mom’s crystal makes a special moment – just like you remember cooking with your mother. A time you’ll never forget.
April Harris says
It really does, Carol 🙂 You definitely know how I feel!
Claire justine says
Whoo these look and sounds so yummy April, I have just had dinner and I wish I had one of these for my treat 🙂 Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop.
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Claire 🙂
Miz Helen says
What a light and delicious dessert, we will really enjoy it. Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Miz Helen! Hope you have a lovely week ahead 🙂
Miz Helen says
I love your Raspberry ad Rose Jelly and Cream, a lovely dessert! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen
April Harris says
I’m so glad you like it, Miz Helen! It is a favourite family recipe 🙂 Thank you for hosting.
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
I’ve been guilty for saving my most precious piece ‘for best’. Love your recipe and they look gorgeous in your crystal xx
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Maria! I hope you will be encouraged to use and enjoy your most precious pieces more often 🙂 xx
Claire says
Whoo yum. This looks very tasty April 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Creative Mondays. Have a great week and we hope to see you soon.
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Claire. I hope your week is wonderful too!