Servings: 4–6 parfaits
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 3–4 hours
Total Time: ~4 hours
Ingredients
- 2 (3 oz) boxes blue gelatin (Berry Blue Jell-O or similar)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups cold water
- 8–10 vanilla sandwich cookies or graham crackers (for the “sand”)
- 1½ cups whipped topping (like Cool Whip) or vanilla pudding (for the “foam” or middle layer)
- Gummy fish, sharks, turtles, or other ocean-themed candy
- Clear plastic cups, mason jars, or parfait glasses
Optional Garnishes:
- Mint leaves (to resemble seaweed)
- Candy pearls or sprinkles
- Blue candy rocks, Nerds, or sour belts (to resemble coral)
- Corn syrup (to stick gummy fish to cup walls)
Instructions
1. Make the Ocean Water (Blue Gelatin)
- In a large bowl, dissolve 2 boxes of blue gelatin in 2 cups boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved.
- Add 2 cups cold water and mix well.
- Let cool slightly for 10–15 minutes so it doesn’t melt the sand layer or distort the candies.
2. Prepare the Sand Layer
- Crush 8–10 cookies or graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or a zip-top bag and rolling pin.
- Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of crumbs into the bottom of each cup to form the “ocean floor.”
3. Add Ocean Life
- Place 1–2 gummy sea creatures (fish, sharks, turtles, etc.) on the “sand.”
- If you’d like to stick fish to the sides of the cup, use a tiny dab of corn syrup or gently press them against the inside before pouring the gelatin.
4. Pour in the Ocean
- Carefully pour the cooled blue gelatin into each cup until they’re ¾ full.
- Add additional gummies or candy coral if desired.
- Chill the cups in the fridge for 3–4 hours or until the gelatin is completely set.
5. Add the Foam or Waves (Optional Top Layer)
- Once the gelatin is firm, top each parfait with a scoop of whipped topping or vanilla pudding to create a foamy wave effect.
- Garnish with extra candies like gummy fish, candy pearls, sour strips (for coral), or mint leaves to look like seaweed.
Tips & Variations
- For a layered effect, chill gelatin halfway and add more gummies before it fully sets.
- Use small plastic sea creatures (non-edible) for decoration if you want to avoid too much sugar.
- Serve chilled with a mini spoon for a fun under-the-sea surprise!
