Best jelly moulds
A jelly mould can turn a simple dessert into a showstopping centrepiece. Read our review of the best jelly moulds, from classic designs to fun animal-shaped offerings.
Jelly has been made in Britain for centuries, with some recipes dating back to Norman times. But, those were savoury meat jellies, not the wobbly, fruity ones we enjoy today at a teatime or children’s parties.
The jelly mould also came with all those sweet and savoury jellies. They were often made of copper, glass, enamelled tin or ceramic. Pretty dishes that were usually too lovely to hide away in the cupboard – many of which can still be found today in antique shops and on collector sites, and still make lovely jellies or decorations.
Jelly moulds are now more often made from hardened, non-stick plastic or silicone, which come in traditional shapes or intricate designs such as castles, crowns, unicorns and animals. The non-stick or silicone moulds also release the jelly much more easily.
But, jelly can also be made simply in any kitchen bowl, basin or plastic box; however, it will never look quite as exciting as one made in a special mould.
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Best jelly moulds at a glance
- Best for mini jellies: Tala eight mini coloured jelly moulds, £8
- Best traditional mould: Kilo traditional jelly mould, £11.66
- Best for little (or big) unicorn lovers: HGSHUO silicone unicorn mould, £13.19
- Best novelty mould: MKNzone silicone castle mould, £7.99
- Best simple-shaped jelly mould: Mermaid by Samuel Groves silver anodised 2-pint jelly mould, £9
- Best animal-shaped mould: Kilo L31R Zeal large rabbit jelly mould in red, £6.30
- Best crossover moulds: LEBKFT four-piece pudding/jelly moulds, £7.99
Best jelly moulds to buy in 2024
Tala eight mini coloured jelly moulds
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£8)
Best for mini jellies
This set of eight brightly coloured mini moulds is perfect for making individual-sized jellies, and will be useful for grown-up dinners or children’s parties, where larger jellies can be a bit messy. Each little mould has a base and lid, so releasing the jellies is easy. Simply undo the base, put the jelly on a plate and remove the cap – the jelly will plop directly out. Note: these moulds are hand-wash only.
Available from:
Kilo traditional jelly mould
Available from Amazon (£11.66)
Best for a traditional mould
This hard, brightly coloured plastic jelly mould is so pretty, you'll want to pop it on a shelf as decor. It is as traditional as can be, and can be used to make tall, wobbly jellies, but works equally well with a blancmange or panna cotta. Though the mould is hard, releasing the jelly or blancmange is quick and easy, as it is non-stick. Simply invert the mould and pour over a little warm water to loosen the jelly. The mould is dishwasher-safe and comes in red or lime.
Available from:
HGSHUO silicone unicorn mould
Available from Amazon (£13.19)
Best for little (or big) unicorn lovers
Imagine the squeals of delight from little unicorn lovers when you tip this gorgeous jelly from its mould. This makes a large jelly (25.7 x 21 x 5cm) that will slip easily from the mould, is made from silicone and is dishwasher-safe. It can also be used safely in ovens, so you can also use it to make birthday cakes.
Available from:
MKNzone silicone crown castle mould
Available from Amazon (£7.99)
Best novelty jelly mould
Building castles is not just for days on the beach – this super-sized mould makes an excellent jelly centrepiece for any table. The mould is made from 100 per cent food-grade silicone, can be used up to 3,000 times and is non-stick – release the jelly easily by pouring over a little warm water. It's also super-versatile, as it can be used in the oven or freezer, and is also dishwasher-safe.
Available from:
Mermaid by Samuel Groves 2-pint mould
Available from Harts of Stur (£9)
Best simple-shaped mould
If you are looking for a simple, high-quality mould, this is it. The mould has gentle curves that make decorating the finished product a breeze. It's aluminium and rust-proof, and will withstand oven temperatures for baking. Jellies will release easily by dipping the mould quickly into warm water, then inverting onto a plate. The mould is also made in Britain with a lifetime guarantee – though it's hand-wash only, it's versatile and a bargain at this price.
Available from:
Kilo L31R Zeal large rabbit jelly mould
Available from Amazon (£6.30)
Best animal-shaped moulds
This stylish, plastic rabbit-shaped mould would traditionally have been used to make a blancmange, and you can still do so. But, it also makes a superb giant rabbit jelly. The mould is non-stick, so releasing the rabbit is easy – just pour over a little warm water poured over to release it. And, if rabbits aren’t your thing, the brand also offers a cat-shaped mould that is just as delightful.
Available from:
LEBKFT four-piece pudding/jelly moulds
Available from Amazon (£7.99)
Best crossover moulds
These traditional-looking, multipurpose lidded moulds make tremendous individual jellies, but are also useful for creating a wide range of puddings. They have a tight-fitting lid, so once the mould is filled with your favourite jelly, just seal to keep it safe in the fridge, without picking up aromas from other foods. Plus, these moulds are dishwasher-safe and also available in sets of eight.
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How to unmould a jelly
Modern materials have made this process so much easier than it used to be. Even the most intricate designs should slip easily from the mould with little effort.
Here are a few tips to ensure success:
- The jelly must be set correctly, as no amount of non-stick will help your jelly if it's not set. Whether made from a packet or homemade, ensure it's set firmly.
- Make sure the filled mould and serving plate are cold. Leave the mould in the fridge until the last moment, and chill the serving plate or dish before unmoulding the jelly on it. If not serving immediately, return the unmoulded jelly to the fridge.
- Releasing a jelly from soft silicone usually requires little more than inverting it onto the plate or dish and gently pulling the mould from the jelly.
- With rigid plastic or a traditional metal or glass mould, fill a suitable-sized bowl with warm (not hot) water. Hold the mould in the water for no more than 15 seconds – if you see liquid at the edges, put it on the plate immediately.
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