These Santa Hat Jello Shots are a festive favorite for holiday gatherings. Bright red and creamy white gelatin layers are poured into small cups, then finished with a simple buttercream and an upside-down strawberry to form a cute Santa hat. Make them with vodka for an adult party or replace the alcohol with extra water, fruit punch, or soda to create a kid-friendly holiday treat.
Santa Hat Jello Shots
Jello shots are easy to make and perfect for holiday parties. This recipe uses common ingredients and simple steps to create an eye-catching two-layer shot topped with buttercream and a strawberry hat. To make a nonalcoholic version, omit the vodka and use additional cold water or a flavored beverage in its place.
What You’ll Need
- Gelatin: strawberry-flavored gelatin mix and unflavored gelatin powder.
- Liquids: boiling water, cold water, and vodka (or replace vodka with more water or a flavored beverage for a nonalcoholic version).
- Sweetened condensed milk: used in the white layer for a creamy texture.
- Buttercream frosting: simple butter and powdered sugar buttercream for piping the hat trim and tip.
- Fresh strawberries: tops removed and placed upside down to form the hats.
- Christmas sprinkles (optional): for extra festive garnish.
- Plastic shot cups: 2 oz cups work best for this recipe.
How to Make Santa Hat Jello Shots
- Prepare your cups: Arrange the shot cups on a tray so they are ready to fill and will fit in your refrigerator.
- Make the strawberry layer: In a heat-safe measuring cup or bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over the strawberry gelatin and whisk until fully dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka (or additional cold water for a nonalcoholic version). Carefully pour the mixture into each cup until about half full. Chill for 30 minutes or until set.
- Prepare the white layer: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the unflavored gelatin with 1 cup water and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup vodka (or extra water). Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then spoon it over the set strawberry layer, filling each cup nearly to the top. Chill another 30 minutes until fully set.
- Make the buttercream: Using an electric mixer, beat 1 stick softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and continue to beat until smooth and fluffy. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off.
- Assemble the hats: Place an upside-down strawberry on top of each set shot. Pipe buttercream around the base of the strawberry and add a small dollop on the tip to resemble Santa’s hat. Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles if desired.
- Serve: Keep the shots refrigerated until serving. If using whipped cream instead of buttercream, add it just before serving to prevent melting.
- Finish and garnish: After piping buttercream and adding the strawberry hat, refrigerate until serving. Shots will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when covered to prevent drying.
Tips and Variations
- Storage: Store finished shots in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover well so the tops don’t dry out.
- Topping options: Use whipped cream or Cool Whip if you prefer a lighter topping, but add those just before serving because they can soften faster than buttercream.
- Garnishes: Add sprinkles, a tiny candy cane, or a small seasonal candy for extra flair.
- Flavor swaps: Try different gelatin flavors and matching spirits—raspberry with vodka, orange with rum, or other combinations to suit your party.
- Scaling: Double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings; just ensure you have enough cups and refrigerator space.
Recipe Summary
Santa Hat Jello Shots
Festive two-layer jello shots topped with buttercream and a strawberry that looks like a Santa hat. Make them with or without alcohol for guests of all ages.
Servings: 18
Prep: 9
Chill: 2 30
Total: 2 39
Print
Ingredients
- 3 ounces strawberry flavored gelatin mix
- 2 1/4 ounce packets unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 1/2 cups water divided
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 cup vodka divided
- 1 stick butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Strawberries with the leaves cut off
- Christmas sprinkles optional
Instructions
-
Arrange shot cups on a tray and confirm fridge space.
-
Combine 1 cup boiling water with the strawberry gelatin and whisk until dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup vodka (or extra cold water) and whisk.
-
Pour into cups halfway and refrigerate about 30 minutes until set.
-
For the white layer, heat 1 cup water with the unflavored gelatin over medium heat, stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup vodka (or water). Cool slightly.
-
Spoon the white mixture over the strawberry layer and chill another 30 minutes until firm.
-
Whip softened butter until fluffy, add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped.
-
Place an upside-down strawberry on each shot and pipe buttercream around the base and a small dot on the tip to complete the Santa hat. Serve chilled.
Last Step:
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and comment to share how it turned out for you.
Nutrition
Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g
Did You Make This?
Leave a comment & rating below or share your photo on social media to show your version of these Santa Hat Jello Shots!
