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Candy Cane Jell-O Shots

These Candy Cane Jell-O Shots are festive, fun and easy to serve. The perfect tasty holiday twist for this adult only treat!

A CANDY CANE THEMED JELL-O SHOT

First let me say, these are not peppermint flavored. We are only mimicking the stripes of a candy cane, not the taste .These Candy Cane Jell-O Shots are a great alternative to a traditional cocktail. I love that I can make these ahead of time so I don’t have to stand around making drinks all night. I just take these out of the refrigerator and serve! These cute Candy Cane Jell-O shots will become a Christmas tradition for your adult friends and family!

Hand holding up one of the Candy Cane Jell-O Shots.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Where can I find unflavored gelatin?

You will be able to find this in the same aisle in your grocery store where by the other Jell-O/gelatins. It will most likely be in a smaller package.

Does this taste like a candy cane?

No. It just has the colors of a candy cane. It has a more cherries and cream flavor. You can definitely add peppermint flavor though! You can use peppermint vodka instead of plain or you can add in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the white layer after you remove it from the heat.

What size cups do I need?

1 ounce shot cups. You can use 2 ounce cups but you will not get the same amount of shots. You can find the cups down the aisle at your grocery store where the plastic cutlery and paper plates are. They can also be found at most party or craft supply stores.

Can these be made non-alcoholic?

Yes! Just replace the vodka with water.

What is the best whipped cream to use?

I like to use an aerosol whipped cream like Reddi Whip for these as it is super convenient and easy. I can quickly squirt it on right before serving! Of course, you can skip the whipped cream altogether if you prefer.

How long do these take to set up?

In total you will need roughly 2 1/2 hours. Make sure that when you check them that they are fully set. If they still seem watery, refrigerate longer.

How do I store leftovers?

Stored with the lids on them, they will keep refrigerated for up to 1 week. I do not recommend freezing.

Pinterest image of finished and garnished Candy Cane Jell-O Shots.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • cherry flavored Jell-O (non affiliated link)
  • water
  • vodka (I used Grey Goose)
  • unflavored gelatin packets (I used the Great Value (non affiliated link) brand but Knox brand (paid affiliate link) works as well)
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • aerosol whipped cream (like Reddi-Wip)
  • christmas sprinkles
Ingredients needed: cherry flavored Jell-O, unflavored gelatin packets, sweetened condensed milk, water, cold water, vodka, aerosol whipped cream and Christmas sprinkles.

HOW TO MAKE CANDY CANE JELL-O SHOTS:

First, make sure you have plenty of room in your refrigerator to place a large tray of Jell-O Shots. On a large tray set out all the shot cups and set aside. In a large measuring cup with a spout (or a mixing bowl with a spout) add 1 cup of boiling water and the cherry Jell-O. Whisk until all Jell-O is dissolved. Next, whisk in ½ cup of cold water and ½ cup of vodka. Carefully pour the mixture into the cups about a third of the way up (Note: only a small tray is pictured here just for illustration purposes). Place the tray in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until that layer is mostly set. Set aside the rest of the liquid Jell-o for later when adding to the top.

Red Jell-O layer mixed together and poured into cups on tray.

Meanwhile make the white Jell-O middle layer. In a small saucepan add in the unflavored gelatin along with one cup of water over medium heat. Stir until all the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk and ½ cup vodka. Set aside to cool a bit.

White layer mixed together in saucepan next to tray of red Jell-O layered in cups.

Remove tray from the refrigerator (ensure that first layer has set and is not liquidy.) Carefully spoon the white mixture into each shot cup on top of the cherry layer –  filling the cups ⅔ full. Place tray back into the refrigerator for 30 minutes until set.

White Jell-O layer spooned over bottom red Jell-O layer in cups on tray.

Remove tray again from the refrigerator (ensure that white layer has set) then carefully fill the cups the rest of the way with the cherry jello. Place back in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes until set.

Finished topped red Jell-O layer over white Jell-O layer on tray.

When ready to serve, top each cup with a squirt of aerosol whipped cream and holiday sprinkles (optional) then serve.

Overhead of Candy Cane Jell-O Shots topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.

WANT MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES?

Square image of finished garnished Candy Cane Jell-O Shots on red and white linen.

Candy Cane Jell-O Shots

These Candy Cane Jell-O Shots are festive, fun and easy to serve. The perfect tasty holiday twist for this adult only treat!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill Time:: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 30

Ingredients

  • 3 ounce box cherry flavored Jell-O
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1 cup vodka, divided use (I used Grey Goose)
  • 2 (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin packets (I used Great value brand but Knox brand works as well)
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • aerosol whipped cream, like Reddi Whip
  • Christmas sprinkles, optional

Instructions

  • First, make sure you have plenty of room in your refrigerator to place a large tray of Jell-O Shots. On a large tray set out all the shot cups and set aside.
  • In a large measuring cup with a spout (or a mixing bowl with a spout) add 1 cup of boiling water and the cherry Jell-O. Whisk until all Jell-O is dissolved. Next, whisk in ½ cup of cold water and ½ cup of vodka.
  • Carefully pour the mixture into the cups about a third of the way up. Place the tray in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until that layer is mostly set. Set aside the rest of the liquid Jell-O for later when adding to the top.
  • Meanwhile make the white Jell-O middle layer. In a small saucepan add in the unflavored gelatin along with one cup of water over medium heat. Stir until all the gelatin is completely dissolved.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk and ½ cup vodka. Set aside to cool a bit.
  • Remove tray from the refrigerator (ensure that first layer has set and is not liquidy.) Carefully spoon the white mixture into each shot cup on top of the cherry layer – filling the cups ⅔ full. Place tray back into the refrigerator for 30 minutes until set.
  • Remove tray again from the refrigerator (ensure that white layer has set) then carefully fill the cups the rest of the way with the cherry Jell-O you had set aside earlier. Place back in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes until set.
  • When ready to serve, top each cup with a squirt of aerosol whipped cream and holiday sprinkles (optional) then serve.

Notes

  • To make these taste like peppermint you can use peppermint vodka, or use 1 teaspoon peppermint extract added into the white gelatin layer after taken off the head.
  • These will take about 2 1/2 hours to set fully, this includes the setting after each layer.
  • This can be doubled if you want to serve more people.
  • Aerosol whipped cream works best for these.
  • Use your favorite holiday sprinkles.
  • We use 1 ounce cups for these but you can use 2 ounce cups, but will have less shots.
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 21mg | Sugar: 5g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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