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Monday, November 5, 2012

Christmas Jello SHots


"Fruitcake" Jelly Shots

Where do you stand?  JSTK says "yes" to fruitcake (in jelly form anyhows!)

Today Jelly Shot Test Kitchen conquers another love-it-or-leave-it holiday fixture.  Fixture is probably an appropriate word, as the inspiration for this jelly shot can (and often does) multitask as a doorstop!
Yup, it's fruitcake!

UV Cake vodka lent a "pastry flair" to the base, with pineapple juice for fruitiness, and a bit of molasses and rum extract for old school festive flavor.  Why not use actual rum you ask?  I suppose one could, but I was after that ultra-concentrated rummy flavor only immersion in spirits provides to the cake.  And in jelly shot form, extract is the best way to get there.

Also, I went with the fruit and nuts on top, rather than inside the jellies.  This was for cosmetic effect more than anything.  With the fruit inside, these aren't the prettiest.  But on top, well, much cuter!

Anyway, hope you enjoy!  Back with more holiday fun soon!

XOXOX

Michelle

Fruitcake Jelly Shots

Pan: I used this mold (which was beautiful, but definitely a 2-biter though, so you may want something smaller!).  A standard 1 lb loaf pan will work great too.  If using molds, be sure to prepare them per the Tips page for easy removal!
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 envelopes Knox gelatin (or increase to 2 1/2 envelopes if using molds)
  • 1 cup UV Cake flavored vodka
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tsp rum extract (or to taste)
  • chopped fruit and nuts for garnish, as desired (I used about half a cup total - you don't need much on each.  I buy pre-chopped cuz I am busy.  And lazy.)
Pour pineapple juice into saucepan, sprinkle with the gelatin.  Let soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in vodka, molasses and extract.

Pour into pan or molds.  Chill until set (at least 4 hours, preferably overnight).

To serve, cut into squares, or unmold.  Garnish with fruit and nut mixture.  Plunk the jelly shots on your fanciest doily and enjoy!




TOP 10 HOLIDAY JELLO SHOTS

Looking for the perfect drinks to serve at your holiday party? Try one of these fun and festive holiday Jello shots!
Christmas Tree Jello Shots

Have your Christmas in a shot this year! Red sugar adds a festive touch to these green Jello shots.












Fruitcake Jello Shots

It isn't truly the holidays without Grandma's fruitcake. This delicious twist on the fruitcake is a fun and tasty way to kick up your holiday parties.












Apple Pie Jello Shots

Love apple pie? Love apple pie shots? Try this apple pie Jello shot!













Sugar Cookie Jello Shots

While cookies and milk are the standard, why not give Santa something with a little kick this year? This sugar cookie Jello shot combines the taste of tradition with the fun of a Jello shot! Leave a few of these by the fireplace and our bet is you'll find a little something extra in your stocking this year. (And don't worry - the reindeer are driving!)







Jingle Bell Rock Jello Shots

You'll be rockin' around the Christmas Tree or just about anywhere with these festive shots! The flavors are reminiscent of Christmases long ago but these shots give them a modern presentation. Impress your guests with the colored layering and your garnishing creativity, but they don't need to know it's not as hard as it looks!







Blue Christmas Jello Shots

Looking for a special Jello shot for this holiday season? Try out "Blue Christmas". With the sparkling champagne and the marshmallows to mimic snow, it is the perfect addition to any holiday celebration.











Mistletoe Jello Shots

Beneath every mistletoe you'll find some pucker and hopefully some minty fresh breath. The same is true for this simple holiday shot. Beneath each mistletoe garnish you'll find a kiss of apple pucker and a hint of mint. The mistletoe experience captured in a cup.










Eggnog Jello Shots

Put a festive twist on your favorite cup of eggnog and make it into a holiday Jello shot.









Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots

With a simple substitution for gelatin, a vegetarian pumpkin pie Jello shot is easy to make and just as tasty as Grandma's pumpkin pie. Who knows? Maybe her secret ingredient has been rum all along.




















Don't these look delicious?

Candy Cane Jello Shots

Ingredients:
Red Layer-
2pkgs (3 Oz. Each) Cherry Jello
1⅓ cups Boiling Water
⅔ cup
Hot Damn Liquor
White Layer-
1 can
Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup Boiling Water, divided
2pkgs Knox Gelatin
½ cup Cold Water
¾ cup Peppermint Schnapps

Red Layer Instructions: Mix the jello with the 1 1/3 cups boiling water. Stir until the jello mix is dissolved. Cool the solution and stir in 2/3 cups of liquor.
White Layer Instructions: Mix the sweetened condensed milk with 1/2 cup boiling water. Sprinkle the packages of Knox gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Let it stand; add remaining 1/2 cup boiling water to dissolve gelatin. Add gelatin mixture to milk mixture and stir to combine. Cool to room temperature. Stir in the peppermint schnapps.
Layering the Jello Shot: Alternate the white and red layers and refrigerate each layer until they are set. For added detail, put whipped cream, crushed candy canes and red sprinkles on the top of each jello shot.
Christmas Jell-O Shots

new! Christmas 2009





We’re on a roll after our Halloween Jell-O shot extravaganza. Do we have Christmas Jell-O shot recipes, you ask? Of course we do! Capturing the flavors of the holiday season requires thinking outside of the Jell-O box, so most of these recipes start with unflavored gelatin. Leave some Jell-O shots out for Santa, and we guarantee you won’t get a lump of coal in your stocking.

Egg-cellent Eggnog

Whether you like it or not, eggnog is a holiday standby. We’ve got a couple of options for you, both of which are pretty tasty. The eggnog gelatin shots have a stronger eggnog flavor and a custard or flan-like texture. The eggnog pudding shots are creamier, and much simpler to make. While bourbon is the traditional liquor to put in eggnog, you can also use rum or brandy, or some mixture of those spirits.





Eggnog Gelatin Shots1 packet Knox unflavored gelatin
1 cup water
¼ cup sugar
1 cup premade eggnog from the dairy case
1/2 cup Bourbon, Brandy, Rum, or a mixture of them
Additional nutmeg (ground or freshly grated) if desired



In a saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over 1 cup cold water and let sit for a few minutes. Carefully warm over low heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar and keep stirring until everything is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. Stir in eggnog and liquor. Add more nutmeg (about ½ tsp) if desired. Pour into shot cups and chill.

Eggnog Pudding Shots3 oz. pkg Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
1 cup cold milk
1/2 cup Bourbon, Brandy, Rum, or a mixture of them
8 oz. container Cool Whip, thawed
½ tsp Nutmeg, ground or fresh grated
Whipped cream (optional)

Combine milk and liquor. Add to pudding mix in a bowl. Add nutmeg. Mix with a whisk until it thickens. Fold in Cool Whip, pour into shot cups, and chill. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Jell-O Shots Just Like Grandma Used to Make

These are based on an actual liquor shot called the Gingerbread Man, but we’ve added our own special touches. The secret ingredient that really makes them taste like grandma’s cookies is molasses. The ginger syrup is a nice addition if you can make it, and you’ll have extra left over for mixing other cocktails.



You may see a little bit of curdling caused by the Irish cream. Don’t worry – it won’t ruin the final product. During our experimental phase, we noticed that this combo of liqueurs seemed make the shots gel a little looser, so this recipe has more gelatin in it than usual.

Gingerbread Gelatin Shots2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin
1 cup water
1/2 cup Irish Cream liqueur
1/4 cup Butterscotch schnapps
¼ cup Hot Damn cinnamon liqueur
2 Tbs. Blackstrap molasses
½ tsp Pumpkin pie spices (or ¼ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg)
2 Tbs Ginger syrup*, or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
Frosting and cinnamon candies for decoration (optional)

Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a saucepan and let sit for a few minutes. Heat over low heat until gelatin starts to melt. Add molasses and ginger syrup (or powder) and spices. Heat and stir until combined. Remove from heat and let cool 10-15 minutes. Stir in liquors. Pour into cups and chill. When firm, decorate with frosting and candies to make faces.



*Ginger Syrup: Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Peel a 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, cut into six pieces, and add to sugar and water. Heat mixture while stirring, until sugar dissolves and it comes to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer a few minutes longer after it boils, until the syrup begins to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove ginger and strain into a jar. Keep refrigerated. This syrup can be used to make other cocktails.

Like an Arctic Blast in Your Mouth

Rumple Minze is strong stuff in more ways than one. It’s 100 proof (50% alcohol – much more than most liqueurs) and the peppermint flavor is on a par with Altoids. A little goes a long way. Two miniature bottles will give you enough minty freshness for this recipe. Throw in a little vodka to smooth it out and you’re set. We did these up in traditional red and white, but you can stick with a single color for simplicity if you prefer.



Candy Cane Jell-O Shots1 packet Knox unflavored gelatin
1 ½ cups cold water
¼ cup sugar
1/2 cup Marshmallow fluff
1/4 cup Rumpel Minze
¼ cup Vodka
Red food coloring

In a saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over cold water and let sit for a few minutes. Carefully warm over low heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar and keep stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. Add liquors. Divide gelatin mixture in half, pouring one cup into a measuring cup or bowl, and leaving the other half in the pan. Add red food coloring to the mixture in the measuring cup or bowl, until you get a nice shade of red. Return the pan containing the uncolored gelatin mixture to low heat, and add ½ cup marshmallow fluff. Stir until the marshmallow has melted into the gelatin. The mixture should be foamy. Fill cups half full of marshmallow mixture. There should be a foamy layer on each, so spoon some foam onto the top of each cup if necessary. Fill the cups the rest of the way with the red mixture, drizzling it through the foam so it leaves streaks on the top. Chill until firm. The layers may separate slightly.



You can also make a red and white layered shot by chilling the cups after the marshmallow mixture is added. When that layer is firm, pour the red layer on top. The red mixture will probably have gelled slightly but can be reliquefied by warming briefly, either in the microwave or in a pan on the stove. Chill again until firm.

For a monochrome peppermint shot, you can either omit the marshmallow fluff for red only, or double the marshmallow stuff and omit the food coloring if you want one that is only white.

Who Spiked the Cider?

It’s a drink that’s usually served hot, but try a cup of cold mulled cider. It’ll still warm you up.



Mulled Apple Cider Gelatin Shots1 packet Knox unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup water
1 cup hard apple cider, divided in half
1/4 cup Apple Pucker or other sour apple schnapps
2 oz. Hot Damn cinnamon liqueur
4 whole cloves
Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Combine the water with ½ cup cider in a saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over it and let sit for a few minutes. Add cloves and heat over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin is dissolved. (If you’re using dry cider, add a couple of Tbs. sugar at this point and heat till the sugar is dissolved.) Remove from heat and let cool 10-15 minutes. Take out the cloves. Stir in the remaining cider and liqueurs. Pour into cups, prop a cinnamon stick in each cup if desired, and chill.

Christmas in Club Med

When you think Christmas, you think red and green. And when you think red and green Jell-O, you think cherry and lime. But that didn’t seem like the best flavor combination to us, which a taste test confirmed. So what else could we use to make a red and green Jell-O shot? While there are other green Jell-O flavors (margarita, green apple), lime is the only one that’s consistently and widely available, so we considered that non-negotiable. After considering various red and reddish Jell-O flavors as companions, we decided to go with the Tropical Fusion flavor. Add some coconut rum, and these flavors blend nicely. Yes, tropical Christmas Jell-O shots seem kind of counterintuitive, but think of it as a Caribbean winter getaway.



Green and Red Tropical Holiday Jell-O Shots3 oz. pkg Tropical Fusion Jell-O
3 oz. pkg Lime Jell-O
2 ½ cups water (divided)
1 1/2 cups Malibu (divided)


Make this recipe one layer at a time. Bring one and a quarter cups of water to a boil. Add to one flavor of Jell-O and stir till dissolved. Let cool till lukewarm, then add 3/4 cup of Malibu and stir. Fill shot cups halfway and chill. When the first layer is firm, repeat with the second flavor of Jell-O, fill cups to the top, and chill again.

If you want something a little more “traditional”, may we suggest this combo of cranberry and lime – a sort of layered Cosmopolitan. If you can find cranberry flavored Jell-O, go for it and save yourself some trouble, otherwise cook up this fruit-juice based gelatin.

Christmas Cosmo Jell-O Shots

Red Layer1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
1 cup Cranberry juice cocktail (divided)
1/2 cup vodka
1-2 Tbs sugar (if needed)


Sprinkle the gelatin over ½ cup cranberry juice in a saucepan and let sit for a few minutes. Heat over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin starts to dissolve. Add the rest of the cranberry juice. If the mixture doesn’t taste sweet enough, add a spoonful of sugar and heat again until dissolved. Cool till just warm. Stir in the vodka. Fill shot cups halfway and chill.

Green Layer3 oz. pkg Lime Jell-O
1 ¼ cup water
3/4 cup Vodka


Bring the water to a boil. Add to Jell-O and stir till dissolved. Cool till just warm. Add vodka and stir. Fill shot cups the rest of the way and chill.

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