Ribbon Salad

This recipe is poorly written. Where does the vanilla go? Do NOT make the layers as the recipe suggests. Wait to prepare them until right before needed, otherwise they set while waiting their turn in their bowls. Each layer takes approximately 1 hour, so I also recommend that you make the milk mixture right before the first layer sets or it will sit out for hours beforehand, which can't be very good considering it's mainly sour cream and milk. The mold itself is really good. My kids loved it.

I have been making this for years and it is always a hit, especially when children are at the occasion. I have a different set of directions, that may help some people. Here they are: FIRST LAYER: Dissolve 1 package Jello in 1 cup boiling water for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add 1/2 cup cold water. (I put ice cubes in the water, stir, remove the ice and measure out the 1/2 cup) Slowly pour Jello into buttered glass dish. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Start white layer immediately. WHITE LAYER: Bring 2 cups milk to boil over low heat. Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Dissolve Knox gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water; add to sugar and milk. Stir. Pour into blender or food processor. Add sour cream and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Let cool. If it should get too thick as you are making the salad, you can try re-blending. If that doesn’t work, you can warm it gently. However, I have never had a problem. I just stir it each time I need to measure some out. If you do need to re-warm, make sure it cools before you pour it onto a jello layer. After the first layer of jello has been in the refrigerator for one hour AND is firm, spoon (1 1/2 cups) of white layer (make sure it is no longer warm) slowly onto Jello layer. Let set in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Alternate layers allowing 45 minutes of chilling in the refrigerator for jello layers (after first layer) and 30 minutes for white layers. HINT: When I pour a white layer on, I immediately start a new flavor of jello,

This was a hit at a dessert banquet. I lightly sprayed my pan with cooking spray and it didn't stick at all. I followed another users suggestion to wait to make the milk until ready to use, and I wish I hadn't done that, because it needed some time to set up. Also, I didn't think it would need refrigeration after the white layer, just the jello, but I was wrong there too. The two times I didn't cool it, the white and color mixed. I waited to make each jello until I was ready to use it, then I dissolved my jello in 1c. of hot water, then added 1/2c. ice water to make it quick set, then fridge for 30-40 minutes, and that worked wonderfully. Even with mistakes, it looked great and tasted good.

Thank you for adding this one Stephanie! Had lost mine and was frantic! Great recipe for the family events, very festive indeed! Shelly

everybody LOVES this recipe! it is now a requirement at all family functions. i coordinate the jell-o colors with the occasion and it always makes for a beautiful and delicious centerpiece.

I used red and blue jello for this salad to make a red, white and blue salad on the Fourth of July. Everyone loved it. Tasty and festive. Thanks.

This is definately a keeper, it really adds color to the table. I just wanted to add, that the vanilla goes in the milk and sugar mixture. A member had commented on the instructions not being clear. i made this in 3 1/2 hours. i made all the jellos right after another, i didn't wait 30 minutes in between making jellos as suggested. I just left the jellos on the kitchen counter. They didn't set after three hours. I put the first layer in the freezer for 15 minutes, to get a jump start on it setting quicker. Then, poured in the pan. I let it set 30 minutes in fridge before pouring the white layer. 15 Minutes before i was to pour the next layer, i repeated putting the layer in the freezer for 15 minutes. I noticed the white layers took longer to set. I waited 45 minutes after pouring white layer. i repeated this ritual, till all layers were poured. This took me about 3.5 hours, it was ready to eat 4 hours.

Thank You! Thank You! Have been looking for the correct recipe for this old family favorite for a lonnnnnng time! Everyone will be happy this Thanksgiving!!

This recipe was OK but not a favorite of ours. Didn't know where to use the vanilla extract but assumed it should have gone with the milk mixture. Very nice looking dessert, though.

I made this for a Family Reunion and every one said it was A HIT