Halloween Jello Shots

Victoria BelangerHalloween isn't just for kids anymore. Was it ever? Every adult I know loves dressing up in silly (or sexy) costumes as much as their former (younger) selves. Whether you're having a casual gathering of parents after the kids go to bed, or are throwing a costume cocktail party, these Halloween-themed Jello Shots will liven up your celebration.

My sister sent me a set of JELL-O brand molds that contained a bat, a witch, a ghost, a black cat and a jack-o-lantern. The molds are intended for making Jigglers, but I decided to take that idea one step further by adding a dash of booze. (Who hasn't spent some time in their early adult years enjoying the magical, fruity treats known as jello shots?) I chose lemon-flavored gelatin for its transparency (and it can be dyed different colors for each of the shapes) and because it goes well with vodka.* After refrigerating the shapes for at least six hours, I encased them in unflavored gelatin to give them that shot-like shape. This sweet finishing touch makes the shots look like Halloween hard candies -- and they can be as "hard" or alcohol-free as you want.

*Note: Kids can enjoy these "shots," too, if you substitute ginger ale for the vodka.

What You'll Need to Make the Halloween Jello Shots:

1 (3-oz) package of lemon- or pineapple-flavored gelatin
1/2 cup vodka (or cold ginger ale)
1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 cup sugar
Food dye
Halloween JELL-O Jigglers mold
Large muffin tin

(Makes 11 or 12 shots.)

See below for step-by-step instructions on making the Halloween Jello Shots.

As a frequent guest at friends' dinner parties, Victoria Belanger was tired of bringing the requisite bottle of wine or box of pastries. She wanted to be more creative and bring something fun that everyone could get excited about. Thus began her popular and successful experimentation with Jello molding. With a formal education in photography, the next logical step was to photograph all her wiggly molds and share them with the world. She started a blog and dubbed herself The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn. Victoria's blog has received press attention from The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and a radio interview for "The Splendid Table," just to name a few. See all her Jello Mold creations at her blog.

Check out more great Halloween content:

Get party and costume ideas from Holidash
Plan a Halloween party for kids with these clever, creepy treats
Turn Halloween candy into these fun kids crafts
Even grownups like Halloween -- make these elegant bites for a Halloween cocktail party
Gross out blindfolded guests with these foods that are creepy to touch
Celebrate Halloween as a family -- with a savory, spooky dinner menu
Make more Halloween jello molds: Bleeding Brains Jello and Candy Corn Jello

Victoria Belanger

In a medium bowl, add 1 cup of boiling water to the package of lemon or pineapple gelatin. Stir for two minutes until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Stir in 1 tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk until mixture is even and creamy. Stir in 1/2 cup cold vodka (or ginger ale) and stir until mixture is even.

Victoria Belanger

Separate the gelatin into smaller bowls by a little less than 1/4 cup each. Add 1 or 2 drops of food dye to make each a different color (orange for the pumpkin, green for the witch, black for the bat, etc.)

Victoria Belanger

Pour the gelatin into each of the wells of the mold. Refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight to allow to set.

Victoria Belanger

Unmold the gelatin shapes by filling a sink, basin, or large bowl with warm water. Dip the mold just to the rim in the warm water for about 10 seconds. Lift from water, hold upright, and shake slightly to loosen the gelatin from mold. Place a cold, moistened plate over the top of the mold and invert the plate and mold together. Carefully lift the mold, if gelatin does not release dip the mold in warm water and try again.

Victoria Belanger

In a medium bowl, sprinkle 2 envelopes of Knox evenly over 1/2 cup cold water and allow the gelatin to absorb the water for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups boiling water for 2 minutes until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

Victoria Belanger

Stir in 1 cup of sugar until fully dissolved. Refrigerate the mixture until it cools and begins to thicken.

Victoria Belanger

Place the gelatin shapes face down in the bottom of each well of a large muffin tin. Gently pour the clear gelatin in to the wells so that is just covers the shapes in the wells. Refrigerate overnight to allow gelatin to get set.