Candy Corn Jello Shots

Layered creamy jello shots with vanilla vodka in traditional candy corn colors of yellow, orange and white.

If you are looking for a new treat for the adults to enjoy at your next Halloween party then try these candy corn jello shots. These festive treats, in yellow, orange and white layers, are easy to make and real crowd pleasers. Best of all, you can create your preferred flavor combination by choosing your favorite fruity flavors of yellow and orange jello. Prepare these colorful jello shots a couple days ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to serve.

Table of Contents

close up of candy corn jello shots decorated with a candy corn

WHAT ARE JELLO SHOTS?

Jello shots are little colorful jello cups that are prepared with a mixture of water and alcohol, such as vodka, white rum or tequila, for example. Jello shots are generally fruit flavored and often inspired by popular cocktails. Their bright, happy colors and sweet flavor make them the perfect boozy party treats.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: show-stopping Halloween treat for adults, that combines layers of fruity jello with sweet and creamy vanilla
Main Ingredients: yellow jello (pineapple or lemon), orange jello (orange or peach), water, vanilla vodka, clear gelatin, sweetened condensed milk, candy corn
Cooking Method: no bake
Cooking Time: 30 minutes prep time, 4 hours chilling time
Diets: vegetarian
Special Equipment Needed: saucepan, whisk, disposable condiment cups with lids or shot glasses

pile of yellow and orange layered jello shots

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this candy corn jello shot in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making these layered jello cups you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Jello Shot Ingredients

3 oz box of yellow jello (pineapple or lemon)
3 oz box of orange jello (orange or peach)
3 cups boiling water (divided)
1 cup vanilla vodka
1 cup cold water
2 (.25 oz) packets of clear gelatin
14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk

Optional Garnish

candy corn

Variations and Substitutions

You can vary the flavor of your jello shots by using different kinds of alcohol. We also recommend using vodka, flavored vodka, white rum or tequila, for example.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love delicious and nutritious treats then you’ll love these colorful Candy Corn Popsicles.

Recommended Tools

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Disposable Condiment Cups — Not only are these little cups iconic for their use for jell-o shots, they also guarantee nice presentation and make clean up so much easier.

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to make yellow and orange layered jello shots, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE YELLOW JELLO: Firstly, bring water to a boil, then add 1 cup of boiling water to the yellow jello powder and stir until smooth. Add cold water and vanilla vodka to the jello and stir. Afterwards fill the jello mixture into 2-ounce shot cups, set out on a tray for easy transfer to the fridge. (about ⅓ full). The recipe will make about 30 jello shots. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until set.

PREPARE ORANGE JELLO: This time, add 1 cup of boiling water to the orange jello powder and stir until smooth. Add cold water and vanilla vodka to the jello and stir. Afterwards let the jello mixture cool to room temperature before pouring onto the yellow layer. Shot glasses should be about ⅔ full. Refrigerate for another hour, until set.

adding orange jello to shot glasses on top of yellow layer

PREPARE WHITE LAYER: Firstly, whisk both envelopes of unflavored gelatin into 1 cup of boiling water, until fully dissolved. Then add the sweetened condensed milk and let mixture cool to room temperature. Afterward, pour the white jello mixture on top of the orange layer to finish the shots.

yellow and orange jello layers in shot glasses

CHILL AND DECORATE: Transfer the jello cups to the fridge and let set for at least 1-2 hours. Right before serving, add a candy corn for decoration. Serve.

adding the white jello layer to the shot glasses

pile of candy corn jello shots on a plate

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love the fruity and creamy combination of pineapple and vanilla in a jello shot then you’ll love Stef’s Dole Whip Jello Shots.

HOW TO MAKE AHEAD

Jello shots are a great party treat to make ahead of time. They last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Cover them and only decorate them right before serving.

Jello Shot Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best candy corn jello shots.

Tip: Do not add too much additional alcohol. While jello shots don’t taste overly boozy, they still pack a punch. Moreover, adding too much vodka might keep them from setting properly.
Tip: Store in the fridge until ready to use. Otherwise the jello might become liquid again.
Tip: Add decorations right before serving. Candy, whipped cream or fruit decorations might react with the jello and become slimy and unappetizing.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store jello shots covered and undecorated in the fridge until ready to use. They will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

rows of candy corn jello cups with vanilla vodka

MORE FALL RECIPES

If you are looking for more fall themed recipes for a Halloween party, then you have to try our Candy Corn Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Bar Recipe, or Andrea’s Halloween brownies.

MORE JELLO SHOT RECIPES

Nothing creates more instant party fun than a colorful tray of delicious and boozy jello shots. We love serving Tequila Sunrise, Orange Creamsicle, Piña Colada and Peach Jello Shots.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about making halloween jello shots.

Can too much alcohol keep my jello shots from setting?

Unfortunately that can happen if you add too much extra alcohol. Put your faith in us on this one! We have tried and tested different amounts of alcohol with this recipe and have found 1 cup of vanilla vodka to be the perfect amount. Even though jello shots don’t taste overly strong, they still pack a punch.

How do I make filling jello shot cups less messy?

We love using a glass measuring cup with a spout to fill the shot glasses, but you can use any bowl or container with a spout. We additionally recommend setting the shot glasses on a tray before filling them. This way you don’t have to move individual filled cups and risk spilling on the way to the fridge.

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