Make up this easy jelly dessert, Frog in a Pond, and watch how fast these little frogs can hop into hungry mouths and disappear. Also called Frog in the Pond and Frog on a Pond, this dessert is perfect for adding a magical retro touch to your next party.
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What is Frog in a Pond?
Frog in a Pond is a retro Australian dessert. I remember these desserts that combine chocolate frogs and jelly regularly popping up at kids birthday parties during the 1980s. It could be described as a jelly cup with an Aussie twist.
The recipe for Frog in a Pond really is timeless, and can still be found on the back of jelly crystal boxes today. It's a dessert that kids (even big kids 😉) will get a kick out of.
Ingredient notes
There are three must-haves for this dessert:
- clear plastic cups (you want to be able to see those frog legs kicking around in the pond)
- green jelly (to create the "pond") – some people use blue jelly, but I think that's more like "Frog in a Pool" or my own little creation, Frog at the Beach
- chocolate frogs (yes, the frogs go in the pond!)
Which chocolate frogs are best for the pond?
In Australia, you can buy Freddo Frogs at most supermarkets, servos, corner shops and more.
While Freddos are now a Cadbury brand, they were originally launched in the 1930s by MacRobertson’s chocolate factory in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Freddo has changed A LOT over the years from a real-looking animal frog wrapped in foil to a cartoon-ish frog wrapped in plastic. While many people miss the Freddo of years gone by, the "new and improved" frog is still popular. More than 90 million are sold in Australia each year!
Chocolate Frogs are also made by other specialty chocolate brands and might be found at department stores and specialty chocolate and sweet stores.
How to make Frog in a Pond
Make up the jelly according to the instructions on the packet of jelly.
In Australia, Aeroplane Jelly is made by adding one cup of boiling water to the jelly crystals in a heatproof jug, stirring, and then adding 200ml of cold water before stirring again.
To make your "ponds", pour an equal amount of the unset jelly mixture into 4 clear plastic cups. Place the cups into fridge to set for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
Once set, cut a small slit into the top of the jelly to hold the frog in place.
Place a frog into position in each cup and place in fridge until ready to serve. Serve with a spoon and watch the smiles appear and the frogs disappear.
Recipe FAQs
The jelly can me made up to 2-3 days in advance, but add the chocolate frogs on the day you plan to serve them.
Store in the fridge. As mentioned above, you can make the pond 2-3 days in advance and store in the fridge and then add the chocolate frogs before serving.
Some people do put the frogs in the unset jelly, letting them sink into the pond while the jelly sets. There are two disadvantages to that approach.
First, it's hard to see Freddo's cute little face. Second, the chocolate goes a bit soggy after a few hours, meaning you can't make them up in advance.
But if you do want your frogs to be lurking beneath the surface, go for it! Just be mindful of the soggy factor.
More kids party favourites
Get the party started with these other classics:
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Frog in a Pond Recipe
Equipment
- 4 small clear plastic drinking cups
Ingredients
- 85 gram jelly crystals (I used 1 packet Lime Aeroplane Jelly)
- 4 chocolate frogs (I used 4 Freddo Frogs)
Instructions
- Make up jelly according to packet instructions.
- Pour an equal amount into 4 clear plastic cups.
- Place into fridge to set for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
- Once set, cut a small slit into the top of the jelly to hold the frog in place. Place frog into position and place in fridge until ready to serve.
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