Vintage Gelatin Mold Pans Southerners Will Never Retire

Buy It: Nordic Ware Brilliance Bundt Pan, $35.99; amazon.com
Recipe: Three-Layer Mold

A starburst-shaped masterpiece will be the perfect centerpiece for your holiday spread. Plus, you can make it ahead to save some time in the kitchen. 

Buy It: Nordic Ware Party Bundt, $38; williams-sonoma.com
Recipe: Lime Gelatin and Cottage Cheese Salad

For a classy affair, call on this most debonair of molds. The classic, curved ridges lend a touch of elegance, don't you think?

Buy It: Silicone Fluted Bundt, $9; amazon.com
Recipe: Tomato Aspic

Reach optimal jiggle potential with this mold. The fluted form feels both whimsical and fancy, which is why we favor it for our beloved tomato aspic.

Buy It: Vintage Rubber Mold, $20; etsy.com
Recipe: Molded Cranberry Salad

Hello, old friend. This traditional mold makes any gelatin salad look its very best.

Buy It: Assorted Mini Bundts, $9.99; amazon.com
Recipe: White Sangria Salad

My, what cute little Bundts we have here. Turn your congealed salad into a gang of miniature congealed salads. This might be our favorite.

Buy It: Gelatin Mold Ring, $14.99; amazon.com
Recipe: Berries and Bubbles

For a more modern look, this shallow pan doubles as an ice ring mold, which means you can use it for both your Christmas punch and congealed salad.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Square Bundt, $38; williams-sonoma.com

Something about the combination of sharp edges with that come-hither jiggle of a gelatin salad feels right. This square-shaped mold agrees.

Buy It: Vintage Round Mold, $8; etsy.com
Recipe: Spiced Coconut-Cherry Mold

Oh, you scalloped sneak. This mold was tough to find, but the round indentations on top are made to house frozen cherries. Simply pop them in each spot, and pour your gelatinous mixture on top.

Buy It: Loaf Pan, $7.99; amazon.com

When Mama needed a no-nonsense mold, this did the trick. Simple and compact, a rectangular mold might be the easiest to transport.

Buy It: Mini Pie Pan, $12.49; michaels.com
Recipe: Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting

A congealed salad with…piecrust? Crazier things have happened. While you can use your muffin pan for this mold, these miniature pie pans give it a slightly more shallow shape.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Charlotte Pan, $39.95; williams-sonoma.com
Recipe: Aunt Laura's Stained Glass Cake

May we suggest using this ladyfinger-style rim instead of a traditional pie pan? It perfectly complements a stained glass-style gelatin salad.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Solera Mold, $31; amazon.com

Put a sunny spin on your citrus-flavored gelatin salads. This Art Deco-inspired mold feels quite refined.

Buy It: Tupperware Jel Ring Jello Mold, $21.99; amazon.com

Perhaps more suited for an ice cream cake, this retro mold gives ladyfinger-like ridges on both the outside and inside. Because just one or the other would look silly, right?