Vintage Recipes: Pink Magic Jello Cake

Since we’ve been indoors for a while now, I’ve been using this time to try out some of the jello cakes that have been on my list for a long time, and today we have the Pink Magic jello cake! This recipe was from 1978 and I believe it was from a pamphlet or a magazine about rainbow jello cakes. I’ve always loved the look of this one, it’s truly not like any dessert I’ve ever seen, and it involves actual cake cake!!! The layers of strawberry jello are mixed with vanilla ice cream, so it’s truly like a very different form of ice cream cake, getting a bit of cake and jello in every bite! Even though it looks difficult, this was one of the easiest jello desserts I’ve ever made. Let’s get to it!

1 package of 6 oz strawberry jello (or two 3 oz packages)
2 1/2 cups boiling water
3 cups vanilla ice cream (not melted)
Ingredients to make your favorite cake recipe, you’ll need 1 9″ cake layer
Cool whip
9″ springform pan
Parchment paper
Cooking spray

1. Bake your favorite cake recipe in a 9″ cake pan, and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, cut the cake into 8 equal slices and set aside.

2. Using a springform pan, spray cooking spray on the inside. Line the sides of the pan with parchment paper extending about 1″ over the top of the pan.

3. Dissolve the strawberry jello in boiling water. Once completely dissolved, mix in the vanilla ice cream until it is completely melted. Place the mixture into the refrigerator to thicken.

4. While the jello is chilling, place 4 of your cake slices into the pan, leaving equal amounts of space between slices.

5. When the jello mixture has thickened, but not set fully, spoon jello into the spaces in between each cake slice. Place the remaining cake slices on top the jello and repeat by spooning jello into the spaces between the cake.

6. Chill the cake overnight or until completely set. Remove the cake from the springform pan and pipe cool whip along the edges of the cake. Garnish with strawberries if desired.

I wanted to share the original recipe above as well! We didn’t change anything about this one except the size of the cake pan and some of the language. It worked out perfectly as is! Make sure to check out my Instagram stories to see Kyle do a taste test of the finished cake. And as always, let me know if there are any vintage recipes you want me to try!