Making jelly in advance - how long?

[Tertius]

I've got my ds's birthday party on fri and want to make stripey jelly. With 5 colours.

Can I start tonight? Will it be okay still on Friday or should I start tomorrow and try and make it at regular intervals.... Bit tricky as only able to do in evenings....

How long does it take to set? A few hours?

Thank you if you can help with banal question!

I tend to do 24 hours in advance. Ive managed three layers in a short afternoon through starting the next layer cooling in the fridge just before the next layer is ready.

I can't do more because I can't get past the fact it's what they grow bugs on!

Thank you. 2 layers tomorrow weds night, 2 on thurs and one on fri?

Got to make a cake too.

Well as I said I'm paranoid about the whole breeding bugs in a pudding thing but this is a long held probably mistaken belief since a uni housemate openly mocked my disregard for jelly based hygiene!

But I've just noticed the party is on Friday.

So I'd do the first layer at 0 hours and out in fridge. I'd check an hour later and if starting to solidify would make the second lot and keep it in the fridge to start cooling but put it on before it sets as ideally fit another layer in on weds night so you've got extra time on Thursday.

It's probably worth pointing out that the thinner the layer the faster it sets. So it will set better in individual cups or a wider dish than a narrower dish.

I find if you melt the jelly in a jug in the microwave in just a tiny bit of water then add iced water (literally water and ice cubes) its cool enough to get it straight in the fridge. I also dilute a little less than the pack suggests if i want a fast set.

Ah fantastic tips, thanks. I'll start tomorrow night once the kids are asleep. Got SO much to do before Friday and extra cakes to make to take in to nursery - bit overwhelmed!

Thanks both for the help :)

Thin layer. Less dilute. Microwave and COLD water. Brill