These adorable concoctions are jello shot "cupcakes" with bases made out of cake-flavored vodka, cream soda, gelatin, and cranberry juice topped with fresh whipped cream and pretty sprinkles. And yes, cake-flavored vodka does exist (Pinnacle makes it) and although it's a little sweet for my taste in a drink, it was the perfect choice for these treats. The great thing about this recipe is you can really play around with the kind of juices, sodas, or liquors used depending on the birthday girl or boy's tastes. (I'm thinking a combination involving chocolate milk and Kahlua would be divine the next time around.) Purple is Alyssa's favorite color so I even added a few drops of food coloring to really make them pop. They were a huge hit with my friends, and the perfect start to her birthday celebration!
This recipe really couldn't be easier - you mix together the ingredients, heat them up over the stove, and them pour the mixture into a silicone mold like this one. After a few hours in the fridge, they're ready to be topped with whipped cream and enjoyed! Here's a photo of Alyssa and I from her party - we're constantly mistaken for each other in school (especially with masks on) but here's proof that we are in fact 2 separate people. Happy Birthday Alyssa!!
Birthday Cake Jello Shots
Recipe adapted from Jelly Shot Test Kitchen
Whipped cream - fresh or store-bought
Sprinkles for garnish
- Lightly spray the mold with non-stick spray and wipe excess off with a paper towel. Don't overdo it or the residue will affect the taste of the jello.
- Pour the soda, juice, and cream into a medium saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Allow the gelatin to soak for 2-3 minutes, then begin to heat on low, stirring constantly until gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).
- Remove saucepan from heat and add vodka and food coloring.
- Pour into molds and chill for several hours, or until set.
- Remove from mold, top with whipped cream, and enjoy responsibly!
*The original recipe suggests 2-3 envelopes, depending on how long your jello shots will be left out (more gelatin for more time). I opted for 3 because we were traveling an hour to get to the party, but I found them to be a little too firm , so I suggest you stick with 2 and plan accordingly for the best results!
Recipe yields 30 small jello shots
Oh my goodness! Cake flavored vodka?!?!? I've only had jello-shots one time before, and these sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteHaley @ The Girly Girl Cooks
What a great idea! These are so cute!
ReplyDeleteAhhh! I saw cake flavored vodka but hadn't thought up a way to use it yet, this is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing!!! Love the idea of doing jello shots in the shape of little cupcakes...such a great idea! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is too cute and cool!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post on mouthing off! People tend to confuse me and my sister with masks and gowns on, too :) See you at Annual Session this year?
ReplyDeleteThese look so awesome! Next all grown up birthday party I attend (with three kids it may be awhile) I am SO making these.
ReplyDeleteOy vey. People and their comments, good and bad. We're crazy us commentors ;) I LOVE these and am printing the recipe for my husband to 'surprise' me with these for my birthday. I'm such a nerd.
ReplyDeleteKallie - Yes, I'll be at Annual Session, can't wait to meet you in person finally! :)
ReplyDeleteHow did you transport these to the party?
ReplyDeleteSara - I transported the jello bases in sandwich tupperware and then brought the whipped cream with me in a pastry bag and piped it quickly when I got there. I don't think they would have traveled well pre-frosted.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say wow! I just so happened to come across your blog and you completely blew me away! You have so many amazing and creative ideas! I am definitely making these tonight for my best friends birthday. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteI will be making these soon. They look awesome! If you were going to make these with Kahlua and chocolate milk, how would you do it? Omit the juice, soda, and vodka and add Kahlua and chocolate milk? I think that combination would be fantastic...
ReplyDeleteThese are super cute! Sweet Genius!
ReplyDeleteCake flavored vodka...gotta find some recipes for that!
ReplyDeleteUsing vodka infused whip cream would be my only edit! ;) WHIPPED is a great brand that even comes in different flavors!
ReplyDeleteHow far in advance can I /should I make these?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, the jello should be allowed to set for a few hours, but I like to let them set in the fridge overnight if possible.
ReplyDeleteWhat tin did you use?
ReplyDeleteGrace, here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Freshware-Silicone-Chocolate-Peanut-Butter/dp/B003UDEKDM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312160346&sr=8-1
ReplyDeleteI just made these and they were SO easy and delicious!! thanks for the idea!!
ReplyDeleteI went to the store to buy plain gelatin but I was only able to find the 'unflavored make your own gelatin by adding juice or soda'(0.25 oz). Is two of the .25 oz packages going to be enough for this recipe?
ReplyDeleteYes, 2 of the 0.25 oz packages should be perfect, good luck!
ReplyDeletecan i use flavored jello?
ReplyDeleteYes, you could use flavored jello. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletewhat color would you recommend for the food coloring??
ReplyDeleteI used purple because that was my friend's favorite color, but use whatever you want!
ReplyDeleteis two packs of 1oz to much gelatin??
ReplyDeleteYou want 0.5oz of gelatin total, so 2 packs of 1oz would be too much but if you're using flavored gelatin maybe the packs also have flavoring in them and that accounts for some of the extra ounces. If you're using flavored gelatin I would follow the recipe on the package instead and substitute the water for a mixture of alcohol and juice. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThese are just way cute! Wish I had the molds for my friend's birthday tomorrow. Maybe next year! Thanks for the great recipe and idea.
ReplyDeletecheck out a Jellinator for making these and anymore jello shots :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have to use a silicone mold? What about regular mini muffin pan? Or are they to wiggly to remove from the pan?
ReplyDeleteI used a silicone mold because I was concerned about getting the jello out, and I know a flexible mold would help me push them out more gently. You could probably get away with using a greased mini-muffin pan but I'm not sure if they would release perfectly in one piece. Let me know if it works out!
ReplyDeleteThey don't release well. If you use a mini muffin tin, spray it with cooking spray before pouring in the jello, then after they've set, put the pan in hot water to loosen everything and they should come out without ruining the shape.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! So creative and fun! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat flavor are the jello shots if you use just the plain gelatin like the recipe calls for? Cranberry?
ReplyDeleteKelsey, it's not a very specific flavor - since the cranberry mixes with the cake vodka flavor and the cream soda, but I guess you could call them cranberry if you wanted! If you want a different flavor, just use a different kind of juice or soda - it's a really flexible recipe :)
ReplyDeleteHi Erica,
ReplyDeleteI want to make these however, I am not sure what "mold" it is that I am supposed to spray with non-stick spray. I hope you see this soon as I would like to make them for a special friend this Saturday. PS Purple is my absolute favorite color!
Natalie, the mold I'm referring to is something like this to help give the jello shots their "cupcake" shape: http://www.amazon.com/Freshware-Silicone-Chocolate-Peanut-Butter/dp/B003UDEKDM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312160346&sr=8-1
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thank you, Erica. I can get that from the candy making store. I am excited.
ReplyDeleteI used a mini muffin pan with foil muffin liners and sprayed it just a tad. They peeled right off and gave it the "cupcake look".
ReplyDeleteIf I don't want them to be alcoholic, should I just replace the vodka with water? My daughter's birthday is cupcake themed and I think these would be too cute to serve with the desserts.
ReplyDeleteYes, replacing the vodka with water or any kind of juice would be fine. Happy birthday to your daughter, enjoy the jello cupcakes!
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ReplyDeleteI am confused about the ingredient measurements here - this really makes 30? It seems like not a lot of liquid is being added....
ReplyDeleteIf you use the specific mold I used, it will yield 30 little cupcakes, but if you use a mini-muffin tin I assume it will make less.
DeleteUsing vodka whipcream for the toping would be amazing! And adds a little more of a punch! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnother us for the cake vodka is pineapple upside down shots. Use tall shot glasses, put maraschino cherry in bottom (with a tad of juice) pour half full with cake vodka then fill with pineapple juice......delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat brand of cream soda did you use. There are several kinds out there.
ReplyDeletePudding shots with cake vodka would be good. Chocolate with whipping cream an 3/4 cup cake vodka added would be a chocolate cake. They will be a little soft you do need to freeze them. You could add real whipped cream to the mix an that works well.
ReplyDeletereally nice to try on my 18th birthday next 2 months. thanks
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