If you want to inject a tonne of fun into your gathering, you'll need jelly. You could wrestle in it, of course, but for the less athletic-minded a jelly-based dessert is just as entertaining.
Delightful jelly has been around a very long time, though not nearly as long as preserves. While pectin was setting jams in the Middle East sometime in the 11th century, it took the invention of gelatin by Denis Papin in 1682 to set jelly on its path to dessert heaven.
Thanks to Monsieur Papin, the world has been perfecting jelly recipes ever since.
Whether it's the familiar wibbly-wobbly jelly with only a hint of gelatin added, or a much more robust jello where a hearty helping of gelatin keeps things firm, there's a jelly recipe for every occasion.
This is a dessert with definite wow factor. Source: Petrina Tinslay
Bringing sexy back to the festive trifle. Source: Feast magazine
No trifle with this trifle. Source: The Great Australian Cookbook
Shaking up this traditional English dessert are flavours from Turkey - say goodbye to your grandma's recipe. Source: Alan Benson
* By the way, if a dessert has a dedicated bowl, you know it's one of the best.
Celebrate with the iconic flavours of Iced VoVo with sticky raspberry jelly, soft panels of pink sweetness and a delicate sprinkling of coconut. Source: Bake Australia Great by Katherine Sabbath
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Trifle
The prettier the dessert, the happier the hoards. Source: Tim Thatcher
The shells of a panama passionfruit are a lovely size to hold and perfect for scooping jelly from. Source: Benito Martin
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Mango and passionfruit jellies
You can pick up agar-agar from Asian grocers and many health food stores. Source: Brett Stevens
Chances are a neighbour has a gooseberry bush that's dripping with fruit, waiting to be turned into the perfect summer dessert. Source: Royal Gardens on a Plate
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Green tea glazed cheesecakes
This next-level pastry dessert is best served fresh, but you can also make it a day in advance. Source: SBS Food
In Afghanistan, falooda is sold in small, colourfully decorated ice-cream shops known as shir yakh feroshees. Source: Alicia Taylor
Wobble on
3D jelly cake
