Ingredients
- 2 boxes blue gelatin dessert mix, 3 ounces each
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix, 3.4 ounces
- 2 cups cold milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed in the refrigerator
- 1 cup gummy fish candies, assorted colors
- 1/2 cup small round candies, white or pastel
- 1 8-inch square baking pan for chilling the gelatin
- 1 9-inch by 13-inch glass serving dish
- 1 large mixing bowl, at least 3 quarts
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 liquid measuring cup, 2-cup size
- 1 dry measuring cup set
- 1 set measuring spoons
- 1 long-handled spoon or rubber spatula
- 1 small sharp kitchen knife
- 1 thin spatula, optional but helpful
- 1 refrigerator-safe lid or plastic wrap, enough to cover both pans
- 1 clean kitchen towel, for steadying the pan
Instructions
- Prepare the blue gelatin. Pour the two 3-ounce boxes of blue gelatin mix into the large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes, until the crystals disappear and the liquid looks clear.
- Add 2 cups of cold water and stir again. Pour it into the 8-inch square pan, then place the pan flat in the refrigerator.
- Chill the gelatin for at least 4 hours, or until it feels firm when you touch the center lightly.
- Make the pudding layer. Pour 2 cups of cold milk into the medium mixing bowl. Sprinkle in the 3.4-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for about 2 minutes, until it thickens.
- Fold 4 ounces of the thawed whipped topping into the pudding. Cover the bowl and chill it until you are ready to assemble.
- Cut the gelatin. Run the small knife around the edge of the chilled gelatin to loosen it. Cut the sheet into cubes about 1 inch wide.
- Lift the cubes with the thin spatula or the edge of the knife.
- Build the aquarium. Spoon about half of the pudding mixture into the 9-inch by 13-inch glass serving dish. Spread it gently across the bottom, then arrange about half of the blue gelatin cubes over the pudding.
- Scatter about half of the gummy fish candies and half of the small round candies across the first layer.
- Repeat with the remaining pudding, blue gelatin cubes, gummy fish candies, and round candies.
- Spread the remaining whipped topping across the top in loose waves, or leave some of the blue gelatin uncovered if you prefer a clearer water look.
- Cover the dish and chill the finished dessert for at least 2 hours.
Notes
Boiling water can burn skin, so an adult should handle the kettle or pot. Keep the dessert chilled, and do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
