There’s something magical about holiday parties—the twinkling lights, the laughter, and of course, the festive treats that make everyone feel like a kid again. That’s exactly why I fell in love with making Candy Cane Jello Shots. It all started a few years ago during my annual Friendsmas gathering. I wanted something that captured the nostalgic joy of candy canes but with a fun, grown-up twist. When I spotted a bowl of leftover mini candy canes on my counter, inspiration struck! A few hours (and several taste tests) later, these layered cherry-and-peppermint jello shots were born—and they’ve been my signature holiday party staple ever since.
What I love most about these Candy Cane Jello Shots is how they bring people together. They’re playful yet sophisticated, simple to make, and always the first thing to disappear from the dessert table. The sweet cherry layers paired with creamy peppermint create that classic candy cane flavor we all adore, while the vodka and schnapps add just enough kick to keep things merry. Trust me, once you serve these at your next holiday gathering, you’ll be making them every year—just like I do!
These little shots are more than just a dessert; they’re tiny edible holiday decorations that spark conversations and create memories. Whether you’re hosting an office party, a girls’ night in, or just want to surprise your family with something special, they’re guaranteed to spread cheer. And the best part? You don’t need to be a mixology expert to make them shine!
Why You’ll Love These Candy Cane Jello Shots
Oh my gosh, these little festive shots are absolute showstoppers at any holiday gathering! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made them and watched guests’ faces light up with delight. Here’s why they’re my go-to holiday treat:
- Instant holiday cheer: That gorgeous red-and-white layered look screams Christmas! They’re like edible decorations for your dessert table.
- Surprisingly easy: Don’t let the fancy layers fool you—if you can make regular Jello, you can make these. The hardest part is waiting between layers!
- Party perfection: One batch makes 36 servings, so they’re perfect for crowds. No more running out of dessert halfway through your gathering.
- Total crowd-pleaser: The sweet cherry and cool peppermint combo takes everyone back to childhood candy canes—with a fun grown-up twist.
Seriously, these might just become your new holiday tradition like they did for me. Last year, my neighbor actually hid a few in her purse to take home—that’s how good they are!
Ingredients for Candy Cane Jello Shots
Okay, let’s gather our festive ingredients! The magic of these jello shots comes from two simple layers – the vibrant cherry red and the creamy peppermint white. Here’s everything you’ll need (and yes, I’ve learned the hard way – measure everything first so you’re not scrambling mid-recipe!):
- For the red layers:
- 4 boxes (3 oz each) cherry Jello – trust me, name brand works best here
- 4 envelopes (0.25 oz each) unflavored gelatin – this gives our shots that perfect jiggle
- 1 cup vodka – I use plain, but vanilla vodka adds a nice twist
- 5 cups boiling water (divided) – just from your kettle is fine
- For the white layers:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk – don’t substitute evaporated milk!
- ½ cup peppermint schnapps – this is where that candy cane flavor shines
- ½ cup cold water – helps the gelatin bloom properly
Pro tip: If you want to get fancy like I sometimes do, grab some crushed candy canes and whipped cream for garnishing. They take these from great to “wow!” And if you love peppermint flavors as much as I do, you might want to check out our chocolate peppermint bread too – it’s another holiday favorite in my house!
How to Make Candy Cane Jello Shots
Alright, let’s dive into making these festive little treats! I know layered desserts can seem intimidating, but I promise this is easier than wrapping presents (and way more fun). Just follow these steps, and you’ll have picture-perfect Candy Cane Jello Shots that’ll impress all your guests. The secret? Patience between layers – but trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Preparing the Red Layers
First things first – let’s make that gorgeous cherry red base. Grab your biggest mixing bowl (I learned the hard way that small bowls overflow!) and combine one box of cherry Jello with half an envelope of unflavored gelatin. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and whisk like crazy for about 2 minutes until everything’s completely dissolved. Now for the fun part – stir in ¼ cup of vodka. The alcohol might make the mixture a bit foamy, but don’t worry, that settles. Pour this into your prepared 13×9-inch dish and pop it in the fridge. Set your timer for 20 minutes – no peeking!
Making the White Peppermint Layer
While the red layer chills, let’s whip up that dreamy peppermint cream layer. In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk with 2 envelopes of gelatin and ½ cup cold water. Let this sit for about a minute – this “blooms” the gelatin. Now add 1 cup boiling water and whisk until you can’t see any granules (about 2 minutes). Stir in the peppermint schnapps – oh, that smell is pure Christmas! Here’s my trick: let this cool on the counter until it’s just slightly warm to the touch. If you pour it while too hot, you’ll melt your red layer and we don’t want that!
Assembling the Layers
Okay, here’s where the magic happens! When your first red layer is set (it should be firm but still jiggly), gently pour about ⅓ of the white mixture over it. Back in the fridge it goes for another 20 minutes. Repeat this process – red layer, chill, white layer, chill – until you’ve used all your mixtures, ending with a red layer on top. The waiting is the hardest part, but clean layers are worth it! For the final chill, I usually leave it overnight, but 4 hours minimum does the trick. When ready, flip onto a cutting board, slice into cute squares, and watch your guests go wild! For more jello inspiration, check out our irresistible jello candy melts too.
Tips for Perfect Candy Cane Jello Shots
After making these festive shots more times than I can count (and eating my fair share of “test batches”), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make them absolutely perfect every time. First – and I can’t stress this enough – let each layer cool to room temperature before pouring the next one. I know it’s tempting to rush, but pouring warm mixture will melt your beautiful layers into a pink mess (ask me how I know!). If your white layer starts thickening too much while waiting, just zap it in the microwave for 15 seconds – it’ll smooth right out.
Here’s my secret weapon: lightly spray your baking dish with cooking spray before starting. It helps the jello release cleanly when you’re ready to slice. And when it’s time to cut, dip your knife in warm water between slices for picture-perfect edges every time. For extra holiday magic, top each shot with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes right before serving – the crunch is amazing! Oh, and if you’re making these for a party, do yourself a favor and make them the night before. Not only does this save you stress, but the flavors actually get better as they sit!
Serving and Presentation Ideas
Oh, the fun part – making these Candy Cane Jello Shots look as fabulous as they taste! I love getting creative with presentation – it’s like wrapping a little holiday gift for each guest. My go-to move? A tiny dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top right before serving. That peppermint crunch against the smooth jello is pure magic! For extra festive flair, arrange them on a platter with fresh mint leaves or edible glitter (gold looks stunning against the red and white).
If you’re serving these at a party, I recommend cutting them into 1-inch squares – they’re the perfect two-bite size. For a more elegant touch, use a small cookie cutter to make them into stars or candy cane shapes. And if you’re looking for more holiday party inspiration, check out our Christmas appetizer ideas to complete your spread. Pro tip: set them out on a chilled marble slab or baking sheet – it keeps them cool and makes for a gorgeous display!
FAQs About Candy Cane Jello Shots
I get so many questions about these festive little treats every holiday season! Here are the answers to everything you might be wondering before making your own batch:
Can I use different alcohol in these jello shots?
Absolutely! While vodka and peppermint schnapps give that classic candy cane flavor, you can get creative. Vanilla vodka adds a nice twist, or try rum for a tropical holiday vibe. Just keep the total alcohol amount the same – too much and your layers won’t set properly!
How far in advance can I make these?
These actually taste better when made ahead! I usually prepare them 1-2 days before my party. They’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days if covered tightly with plastic wrap. The flavors meld and deepen over time – it’s like holiday magic in your refrigerator!
Can I make these non-alcoholic for kids?
Of course! Just replace the vodka with water or cranberry juice, and use peppermint extract (about 1 tsp) instead of schnapps. The layers will be just as pretty, and the kids will feel so fancy with their own “grown-up” holiday treats!
Why do my layers sometimes mix together?
Oh honey, I’ve been there! The key is letting each layer cool to room temperature before adding the next one. If it’s too warm, it’ll melt the layer below. And make sure each layer is fully set (about 20 minutes in fridge) before adding the next. Patience makes perfect layers!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick heads up – these nutritional estimates are based on standard ingredients, but your exact numbers might vary depending on the brands you use. These festive shots are definitely a treat (not health food!), so enjoy them in moderation during your holiday celebrations. The good news? Each little square packs way more holiday cheer than calories!
More Festive Holiday Recipes
If you loved these Candy Cane Jello Shots, oh my gosh, you’ve got to try some of my other holiday favorites! My chocolate peppermint bread is like a cozy Christmas sweater in dessert form – rich, minty, and impossible to resist. And for more holiday baking inspiration, our Christmas dessert collection is packed with showstoppers that’ll make your whole season sweeter. Trust me, your cookie tray will thank you!
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Candy Cane Jello Shots
- Total Time: 5 hours 30 min
- Yield: 36 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Festive layered jello shots with cherry and peppermint flavors, perfect for holiday parties.
Ingredients
- 4 boxes (3 oz each) cherry Jello
- 4 envelopes (0.25 oz each) unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup peppermint schnapps
- 5 cups boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix 1 box cherry Jello, ½ envelope gelatin, and 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Add ¼ cup vodka. Pour into the dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Make the white layer: Combine sweetened condensed milk, 2 envelopes gelatin, ½ cup cold water, and 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve gelatin. Add peppermint schnapps. Let cool to room temperature.
- Pour ⅓ of the white mixture over the chilled red layer. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Repeat step 2 for the second red layer. Cool to room temperature, pour over the white layer, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Pour half the remaining white mixture over the red layer. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Repeat step 2 for the third red layer. Cool, pour over the white layer, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Pour the remaining white mixture over the red layer. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Repeat step 2 for the final red layer. Cool, pour over the white layer, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Invert the dish onto a cutting board, slice into squares, and serve with whipped cream and crushed candy canes if desired.
Notes
- Let each layer cool to room temperature before pouring to prevent colors from mixing.
- If the white mixture thickens, microwave it for 15 seconds.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Refrigeration
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 30
- Fat: 1
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 5
Keywords: Candy Cane Jello Shots, Holiday Party Recipes, Christmas Cocktail Ideas, Peppermint Recipes, Festive Jello Shots