Shark Beach Jello Cups Dessert: Shark Week
Home » COOK » Recipes » Recipes By Course » Desserts » Jelly/Jello/Gelatin »These Shark Beach Jello Cups are a fun dessert for Shark Week or for a Baby Shark Party! These cups of blue jello “ocean,” complete with sandy graham cracker “beach,” are sure to bring a smile to both kids and adults alike. Beware the (gummy) shark lurking in the waves!
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we suggest reading the entire blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Shark Beach Jello Cups
Our Shark Beach Jello Cups are a fantastic addition to any summer party or gathering.
Whether you’re hosting a shark-themed birthday party (check out our Baby Shark Party Food Ideas), organizing a picnic by the shore, or simply looking for a playful dessert to enjoy on a hot day, these jiggly treats are a hit with kids and adults alike!
As you dive in with a spoon, you’ll discover a hidden gummy shark swimming in the blue ocean of jello.
The sandy Graham cracker “beach” adds a delightful crunch and texture, while the sour belt “towel” and adorable Teddy Graham sunbather complete the beachside scene.


Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
For convenience, the required ingredients and equipment for this recipe are linked to online stores like Amazon or Amazon Fresh, if available.
Ingredients Needed For Shark Beach Jello Cups
- Berry Blue Jell-O – or other flavored blue jello/jelly
- Teddy Grahams – or other teddy bear-shaped cookies
- Graham Crackers – crushed to make “sand.” In the UK, you can use Digestive biscuits.
- Gummy Candy Sharks
- Rainbow Sour Belts Candy
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is found on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Glass Measuring Cup/Jug – for making the jello
- Rubber/Silicone Spatula
- Dessert Bowls/Cups
- Cocktail Umbrellas – for garnish, optional
The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales useful tools for trying out all the recipes. I provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements, but it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).

More Recipes Using Jello
One of the hero ingredients in this dish is jello/jelly, so here are some more recipes using the same:

How Do I Make Shark Beach Jello Cups?
The printable recipe card with the full ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Setting Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Step 1 – Add Gummy Sharks: Place a gummy shark candy into the bottom of four dessert cups or bowls. Set them aside.
Step 2 – Make Jello: Make the jello/jelly according to the package directions and divide the mixture between the four cups, and place in the fridge to set (approximately 4-6 hours).


Step 3 – Make “Sand”: Crush 2 Graham crackers to resemble sand.
TIP! You can crush the crackers in a mortar and pestle or place them in a plastic sandwich bag and crush them with your hands, or smash them with a rolling pin.



Step 4 – Assemble: Place the Graham cracker “sand” over half of the jello (make sure it’s not over the shark).
Cut a sour strap to make a “towel” and place it onto the sand.
Add a Teddy Graham on top of the candy towel and insert a paper cocktail umbrella if desired. Enjoy!

More Shark-Themed Recipes
Looking for more shark-themed recipes? Here you go!
- Snack with a Bite: Baby Shark Popcorn Mix for a Playful Treat!
- Frozen Shark Attack Margarita Cocktail
- Shark Hot Cocoa Bombs for Shark Week or a Baby Shark Party!

Recipe Tips
- Assemble the jello cups just before serving to maintain the crunchiness of the graham cracker “sand.”
- Have fun with the presentation by adding paper cocktail umbrellas for a tropical touch.
- If you have more time, you can make the jello in layers, then place sharks toward the top of the “ocean” and even have one poking out!
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Leftover Shark Beach Jello Cups can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- However, it’s best to assemble them just before serving to maintain the optimal texture and presentation.
- Freezing Instructions:
- Not suitable for freezing.
- With all leftovers, make sure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable Shark Beach Jello Cups Recipe Card
To save ink, any demonstration photos on the recipe card do not print.

Shark Beach Jello Cups
Ingredients
- Gummy Sharks Candy
- 1 3-oz/85g box Berry Blue Jell-O
- 2 Graham Crackers
- Rainbow Sour Belts Candy
- 4 Teddy Grahams
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- Place a gummy shark candy into the bottom of four dessert cups or bowls. Set them aside.
- Make the jello/jelly according to the package directions and divide the mixture between the four cups, and place in the fridge to set (approximately 4-6 hours).
- Crush 2 Graham crackers to resemble sand. TIP! You can crush the crackers in a mortar and pestle or place them in a plastic sandwich bag and crush them with your hands, or smash them with a rolling pin.
- Place the Graham cracker "sand" over half of the jello (make sure it's not over the shark).
- Cut a sour strap to make a "towel" and place it onto the sand.
- Add a Teddy Graham on top of the candy towel and insert a paper cocktail umbrella if desired. Enjoy
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the dessert, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Appetizer: Quick & Easy White Bean Dip with Seasoned Pita Chips
- Soup: New England Clam Chowder
- Salad: Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing & Croutons
- Main Dish: Seafood Charcuterie Board
- Beverage: Frozen Shark Attack Margarita Cocktail (includes non-alcoholic version too)
There are 500+ Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog for you to enjoy – please feel free to check them out too.