Jello Homemade Shaved Ice*

We don't have central air in our Long Island home. As the temps creep higher and higher I needed something to beat the heat.

This recipe from Tips From A Typical Mom was a great find.
I'm using up foods in my pantry and I found four boxes of Jello Limited Edition flavors.

The first I wanted to try was the Margarita flavor. I left it in the freezer all night and when I scooped it out it was shaved ice. 

I wanted a nice scoop so I made another one, Strawberry Daiquiri. I added the jello and liquids to a 7 1/2 X 13/1/2 pan and placed it in the freezer 4 and a half hours. Found my ice cream scoop and added it to a dish that I had placed in the freezer, for it's glamour shot.

Annette used soda in her recipe. I never buy soda. I love seltzer, which I subbed for the soda.

You can have lots of fun with this recipe. Think of all the different flavor of Jello you can use! I added seltzer but if you like soda, add a flavor you like.

My jello was NOT sugar free . The gelatin with the liquid should  set up. Would love to hear from you if you try the recipe with the sugar free jello.

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water
2 cups Lemon/Lime Soda ( when I made the margarita I used lemon/ lime seltzer. For the Strawberry Daiquiri I used Strawberry flavored seltzer) 
1 3 ounce box flavor Jello

Directions:

The first time I made it I added the jello to the bottom of a 8 X 8  square cake pan.

Boil the water and add 1 cup to the 8 x 8 pan, which has the jello. Whisk until jello is dissolved.

Stir in the seltzer or soda if preferred.

Freeze for 4 hours or overnight

Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to shave out the ice and serve right away.

For the Strawberry Daiquiri I added the jello to a 7 1/2 x 13 1/2 dish. Followed the same directions except  I only kept it in the freezer for four and half hours. The edges were frozen solid but the middle was  a little soft but did form a scoop.

                                                Photo of the Margarita shaved ice.

* I added the star because I came up with another idea.  I have a stick blender. What consistency would the ice be if I whipped it up? I took the pan out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter a few minutes so it would soften up. If you have a/c in you house the jello mixture will take longer to come to room temp. I placed a small to medium size metal bowl in the freezer to chill while the jello was on the counter.

Once the jello mixture was soft, not melting I placed it in the chilled bowl and whipped it with the stick blender.

I have found my new favorite treat! LOVE the consistency and can't wait to see what other ideas I can come up with.

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