Candy Cane Jello Shots

Candy Cane Jello Shots garnished with whipped topping and peppermint candies on top.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Candy Cane Jello shots are festively flavored in every boozy bite!

Prep Time5

Chill Time3

Total Time3 5

Course: cocktail

Cuisine: American

Servings: shots

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Jennifer Fishkind

Equipment

12 2-Ounce condiment containers with lids

Ingredients

1 cup cold water
0.5 ounces (2 0.25-ounce) packets of unflavored gelatin
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
½ cup peppermint schnapps
2-3 drops red food coloring
Extra creamy whipped topping thawed

Optional garnish

Mini candy canes finely crushed
Candy cane-shaped jimmie sprinkles

Instructions

To a small saucepan, add the cold water and sprinkle the unflavored gelatin granules over the top of the water. Stir the gelatin into the water until fully absorbed. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow the gelatin to heat up for 1-2 minutes or just until fully dissolved and the gelatin is warm but not too hot. Do not allow the gelatin to get to a simmer or a boil.
1 cup cold water, 0.5 ounces (2 0.25-ounce) packets of unflavored gelatin
In a medium-sized mixing bowl (an 8-cup glass liquid measure cup with a pour spout works great), add the sweetened condensed milk. Slowly pour the warm gelatin into the sweetened condensed milk while whisking constantly until fully combined.
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Add the peppermint schnapps and red food coloring. Whisk until your candy cane jello shot mixture is pink.
½ cup peppermint schnapps, 2-3 drops red food coloring
Place 12 (2-ounce) jello shot cups onto a small rimmed tray and pour the candy cane jello mixture into each shot cup to the fill line (slightly more than ⅔ full).
Refrigerate the candy cane jello shots for 2-3 hours or until fully set.
Add a dollop of extra creamy whipped topping and optional garnish when ready to serve. You can use a combination of the suggested garnishes or just stick to one. Do not garnish until just before serving.
Extra creamy whipped topping, Mini candy canes, Candy cane-shaped jimmie sprinkles

Notes

Storage:

To Store: Covered candy cane jello shots can stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: I do not recommend freezing these shots.

Tips:

You can add the extra creamy whipped topping from the tub that has been thawed into a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip, and a decorative dollop can be piped on. Alternatively, you can use the can of squirt whipped topping or a homemade stabilized whipped cream if you desire.
Do not garnish the glasses until just before serving.
If you fill your shot cups completely full, you will only get 11 servings. Alternately, if you use a different-sized jello shot cup, then that will also alter the total number of servings.
You can run a sharp, thin-bladed knife (a paring knife works great) along the outside edges of the jello shot just before garnishing. This will ensure the candy cane jello shots come out of the cups with ease.
An 8-cup glass liquid measure cup with a pour spout works great to mix your candy cane jello shot mixture in. It will make pouring the liquid into the small cups much easier. You can also transfer your liquid mixture into a smaller spouted measuring cup, if you do not have the larger size to use as a bowl, to pour the liquid into the shot cups easily.
When choosing your peppermint schnapps, make sure that you are using one with a red label and candy cane on it (DeKuyper brand), as some peppermint (with a green label and mint leaves) is actually a spearmint flavor (similar to creme de menthe - think thin mint cookie flavor) not a true peppermint flavor like a candy cane.
You can add a couple of extra drops of the red food color if you want your candy cane jello shots to be red instead of pink.

Nutrition