Holly Jolly Jello Shots!

A Party Success
Last night the Brandt's had our Holiday Open House. The weather turned nasty, only half of the invited guests made it (mostly neighbors who didn't mind sliding to the house) for Holiday food, fun and laughter, and a few other brave souls. But by keeping abreast of the weather forecast, I changed my menu at the last minute and made some great table food for an intimate crowd of about 20 (19 to be exact). We had the normal - delicious oven butter lemon shrimp, chicken wings for the carnivorous types, homemade hummus and chocolate cookies. (I'll share my cookie cups later).

But here was the hit of the party!

Holly Jolly Jello Shots (yes with vodka - it was an adult party, and in spite of attending five colleges, I've never had jello shots and this crowd was just the ones to try it on.) Of course they could also be non-alcoholic!

Don't attempt these, unless you have time and patience, but they are easy to make, just high maintenance. The best part, is you can use spare time from cooling and jello setting) to make other fun finger food.

The fancy recipe was taken from the blog Tablespoon.com, but it's pinned on my Holiday Party Board at Pinterest.

Ingredients

                  1              3-ounce box cherry gelatin dessert

                  1              3-ounce box lime gelatin dessert

                  3              packets unflavored gelatin

                  1              14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

                  1 1/2        cups vodka (may be flavored)

                  36            dollops whipped cream (for garnish -not shown)

                  36             mint leaves (for garnish - not shown)

                  36             small Marashcino cherries( not shown)

1. Lightly coat a square dish with cooking spray, and then using a paper towel, wipe out the dish. It will leave a light residue to help unmold your shots, but it won’t affect the taste.
2. For red layer, sprinkle half of a packet of gelatin over ¼ cup of water. Allow it to soak in a minute or two. Add one box of the cherry gelatin, along with 1 cup boiling water. Stir until everything has dissolved. Add 3/4 cup of vodka. Repeat the same process to make the green layer.
3. To make the white layer, sprinkle two packets of gelatin over ½ cup of water. Allow it to soak in a minute or two. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk. Stir until everything is thoroughly mixed and gelatin is dissolved. You’ll have approximately 3 cups of liquid. Allow to cool to room temperature.
4. Pour half of the red mixture into the prepared pan. Place pan in refrigerator to set, about 20 minutes or so. Once set, add 1/3 of the white mixture to the top of the red mixture. Pop any air bubbles and return to fridge to set for about 20 minutes. Repeat with half of the green mixture. Then white, then red, then white again, then green. Allow finished pan to set another 2-3 hours, or overnight.
   
5. When you’re ready to serve, gently pull the edges away from the pan, and invert onto a cutting board or flat serving plate. Slice into even squares.

Optional: Top with whipped cream (I suggest from the can). Top with a small mint leaf and a red Maraschino cherry. I didn’t do this part, because…well because I forgot. The mint is still in the refrig next to the can whip cream. 

Happy Holidays

Spicy Brandt

stradercom@aol.com