Healthy All Natural Finger Jello with Elderberry

Finger jello has been a multi-generational household favorite in our family. Whether intended to encourage us to eat when we were sick, or simply as a quick fruit and protein breakfast side, my mother often had a pan of all natural juice based finger jello in the refrigerator. Even today, my adult siblings still ask for this healthy finger food at family birthday parties, reunions and random get-togethers. This super simple recipe is fun to make as well as eat! The abundant flavor is complex enough to satisfy an adult’s palate, while maintaining that homey familiar berry flavor that has been kid approved for generations!

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A simple make ahead recipe that is laden with nutritional goodness and brimming with the natural wholesome flavor of cranberry and grape juices, these feel good healthy snacks offer so much more than traditional jello recipes. In addition to the health and beauty benefits of gelatin, these kid friendly jello squares offer the antioxidant properties of a variety of berries and the anti-viral benefits of elderberry! And all without the added sugar and artificial dye of traditional commercialized jello. They satisfy hunger, whether you are snacking on the run or needing an easy-to-eat power packed menu for that someone special who is down with the flu!

For an added antioxidant boost, this recipe can be made with anywhere from 2 to 6 types of berries! Berries are considered to be highly nutritious. They are an excellent source for vitamin C and also contain the vitamins A, E and K as well as B complex. They provide several minerals such as manganese, iron, calcium, magnesium and copper. Of special note is the red, blue and purple coloring in berries which are caused by compounds called anthocyanins. These potent antioxidants are believed to play a role in protecting the body from chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, depression and other disorders. (1) In addition to the antioxidant features of berries, they are also strongly anti-inflammatory and play role in preventing obesity, diabetes and neurodegeneration! (2)

For finger jello

2 cups of no sugar added grape juice
8 envelopes (or tablespoons) of unflavored gelatin
2 cups of no sugar added cranberry juice cocktail
1 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen berries of your choice
1 cup of elderberry decoction (recipe for elderberry decoction found here)
2 cups of Kombucha

Note:

For gelatin, my mother preferred Knox gelatin and I also find it works better than the various store brands I have tried.

If you do not make your own kombucha, I find GT’s Cosmic Cranberry works well in this recipe. (I am not connected with either of these brands; I just think they are good-quality products.)

The kombucha really works to blend all the flavors together. It gives a tang that balances the sweetness of the juice and tart aspect of the elderberry while adding more depth and complexity of flavor to the finger jello. Kombucha is best known as a fermented probiotic health drink. When mixed with Elderberry a known antiviral and antibacterial it is uncertain what quantity of probiotics, if any, remain in the finished dish.

For the berries in this recipe, I used a combination of frozen berries I had on hand: flavorful strawberries from my garden, wild organic blueberries foraged locally during the summer and blackberries that came from a too good to pass up sale at the local grocery. But any number of combinations are possible. If you have a favorite berry, or simply want to add a wider variety of nutritional benefits, feel free to mix and match. You can make this recipe with just one type of berry or with a smorgasbord of strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries! Each one adds a different flavor and nutritional twist to the finger jello.

Directions:

Start by placing cold grape juice in a bowl and carefully sprinkling the gelatin over the entire surface of the liquid. Set bowl aside and allow to “bloom” for about 5 minutes. The gelatin granules will absorb the liquid and swell up. This “blooming” is essential to insure a smooth texture in your finished product. Without this blooming, the gelatin will clump together and make rubbery mess when you try to stir it, which in turn prevents the gelatin from evenly mixing with the juice during heating. Gelatin does not mix with hot liquids.

While the gelatin is blooming, heat the cranberry juice cocktail in a medium sized saucepan until it almost reaches a boil. Carefully add to the grape juice and gelatin mixture. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Set aside and allow to cool.

In a high speed blender (This is the blender I have and LOVE!) combine your choice of berries and the elderberry decoction blending the mixture until smooth. Pour the blended berries into the juice and gelatin mixture. Stir well to incorporate thoroughly.
Pour juice mixture into a ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and slowly stir in the kombucha. It will be slightly foamy on top. The pan will also be quite full. To avoid spilling while transferring to the refrigerator, it is best to prepare a spot in advance and move very slowly. The help of an assistant to hold the refrigerator door open is also welcome. Refrigerate finger jello until set. I find this healthy snack is best left in the fridge over night to achieve a complete set.

For an easy and quick finish, cut into squares with a butter knife. This is my kids favorite way to eat them. Alternately, the finger jello can be cut with rim-only cookie cutters to make fun shapes for holidays or to entice little ones to eat by featuring their favorite animal or shape. You may have to experiment with your cutters, I find metal cutters without small details work best. Although too often my children’s impatience wins out and the simple squares reign! Serve and enjoy eating this healthy finger food you can feel good about!

To health and happiness, the Homesteading Hen

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Notes:

1. Miller, Katharina et al. “Bioactive Compounds of Strawberry and Blueberry and Their Potential Health Effects Based on Human Intervention Studies: A Brief Overview.” Nutrients vol. 11,7 1510. 2 Jul. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11071510 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6683271/

2. Afrin, Sadia et al. “Promising Health Benefits of the Strawberry: A Focus on Clinical Studies.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 64, 22 4435-4449. 2016, doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b00857 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27172913