I have always wanted to make a jello shooter cake, but never had a reason to. Also, I didn't want anyone to think I was an alcoholic. So when my friend was looking for some interesting drink ideas for a party, I suggested she make one. Now my friend is not your average, everyday Martha Stewart. In fact, if it takes more steps than a frozen pizza, it's too complicated a recipe. Really. So I jumped at the chance to make it! It's actually pretty simple, the only hard part is waiting. Especially if you're like me and like that instant gratification.
Pretty cool, right? And it's downright tasty too!
You just need a fridge, bundt pan or jello mold and the following:
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 6 (3 oz) packages flavored jello
- 3 envelopes plain gelatin (like Knox)
- 3 cups liquor (vodka or rum, or whatever makes you happy)
- 1 1/8 cup vanilla yogurt
You can use sugar-free or low-fat jello and yogurt, but c'mon. It's party time, baby. Live a little.
Before you start, you need to chill the liquor by putting it in the freezer for a few hours. I used a plain vodka for this one, but I would like to try it with a flavored vodka or rum. Or schnapps. The possibilities are endless. If you have an extensive liquor collection or lots of disposable income, you could probably use different flavors to correspond with each jello flavor. But, having neither an extensive liquor collection nor lots of moolah, I opted for plain vodka.
I used an angel food cake pan because my only bundt pan is a castle pan and I was leery of it getting stuck inside the many crevices. Spray your pan lightly with non-stick spray, then wipe it out, leaving only a residue behind. You don't want slick, greasy jello. That would be icky.
Pour 3/4 cup water into a saucepan and sprinkle it with 1 tsp of the plain (Knox) gelatin. Let it sit for a minute or two. Heat on low heat and stir until dissolved, maybe 4-5 minutes. Then stir in one packet of the flavored jello keeping stirring until dissolved, maybe and minute or two.
I used a whisk at first, but my jello got all bubbly, so I used a wooden spoon instead.
Remove the jello and stir in 1/2 cup of the icy cold liquor. Have a shot while you're at it.
Pour 3/4 cup of the jello into your pan. Refrigerate for 15 - 30 minutes. The jello should be firm, but should be sticky, not gooey, when touched. Don't let it get too firm, otherwise the next layer will not bond to it and then it will not be a cake. It will be a mess.
While that's in the fridge, chill the remaining mixture for about 5 minutes until it's about the consistency of egg whites. If you have no idea what that's like, I suggest you crack open an egg. Then stir in 3 tbsp of vanilla yogurt until it's well-blended.
When the first layer is firm, yet sticky, pour the yogurt layer on top and refrigerate again for another 15 - 30 minutes.
Now all you gotta do is repeat the process with the next five flavors until you have 12 total layers, 6 plain jello and 6 yogurt jello layers. However, you may not want to have a shot each time you add your liquor, as suggested previously. When you're done, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
When you unmold your cake the next day, fill your sink or a large pan with WARM, not hot, water. Dip your pan in for a few seconds (maybe 8-10 seconds), dry off your pan, cover with a plate and then flip it over. Your cake should slip right out.
And, voila, it is done! Now this baby has 3 cups of liquor in it, so I wouldn't cut huge slices for your friends, especially the lightweights. Rainbow colored vomit is not a pretty thing.
This also can be made as cupcakes or mini jello shooter cakes. You would have to adjust your refrigeration times, maybe 5 - 10 minutes for cupcakes. I have a mini-bundt pan that I'm gonna use to make mini pina colada cake with pineapple jello and coconut rum. I saw a recipe for jello shooter birthday cupcakes that uses cake-flavored vodka. It's basically the same recipe as this one. Now I need some one with a birthday to try it on.
So, thanks to my culinarily impaired friend for letting me make this for her party! It was fun and now I am inspired to create different kinds of jello shooter cakes! Like a fuzzy navel cake. Or a an apple martini cake. Luckily, she told me she has lots of summer pool parties......
Chris :)
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