Bobbing for Apples & Jack 'O Lantern Jello Shots

These fun Halloween themed Jello Shots are a perfect addition to any Halloween event!
It's also really easy to make them non-alcoholic for all the kidlettes at your party. (and they're still delicious!)

My recipes are for apple cider shots and pumpkin pie shots made dairy free from scratch. You could easily substitute other recipes, or use boxed jello. I used Sailor Jerry's spiced rum in both shots... feel free to experiment with your favorites! Or leave it out completely.

Apple Cider Jello Shots start in the next step!
Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots start in step 4!

Step 1: Bobbing for Apples Shots: Ingredient Gathering

Makes approximately 12 2oz shots (depending on apple size)

Ingredients you'll need:

1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup spiced rum (or alcohol of your choice)
1 envelope of gelatine
1 apple (whatever kind strikes your fancy)

Other materials:

2 oz plastic shot cups
Toothpicks
Small saucepan
Assorted implements of measurement
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Something to "float" your finished shots in. I used small plastic "cauldrons" I found in the grocery store.
Festive holiday themed hand towel optional.

Step 2: Bobbing for Apples Jello Shots: the Making Of...

First things first! Before you start gelling your gelatine, you need to prepare your apple slices.
Since the shot cups I used are tiny, the thinner the slice the better. I ended up getting 16 pieces. Results may vary. Don't forget to remove the core and seeds.

Next, insert a toothpick into each apple slice. Try to find a spot that's high enough on the slice so the shot isn't top heavy... but not so low that the slice touches the bottom of the cup. Floaty apples are magic.
We're not going to actually leave the apples in the cups at this point, just skewer them. Trust me, it'll make pouring the hot jello mixture much easier!

Time to gel!
1.  Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan. Leave your stove off for now, heat not yet required.
2.  Sprinkle 1 envelope of gelatine on top, and let it sit for 1-2 minutes. I advise taking this opportunity to sample your rum. You need to make sure that it's going to taste awesome. (Though, let's be honest. It IS rum.)
3.  Turn on the heat! Medium will do.  Stir the gelatine until it dissolves, and bring the cider to a light boil.
4.  Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of rum (or other alcohol).
4a. For a non alcoholic, kidlette friendly version, remove from heat and stir in either 1 full  cup cold water or 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup cold cider.

So, remember how I said not to leave the skewered apples in the cups? You're welcome. :)
Pour hot jello mixture into the currently unobstructed shot cups. Remember not to overfill. The apples will displace some of the liquid.
Suspend skewered apples in jello from toothpicks.
Refrigerate until set. Roughly 4 hours. While we wait... Where did that rum go?

Step 3: Bobbing for Apples Jello Shots: the MAGIC!!

Now that we've waited so patiently for a few hours, let's get these ready to serve!

Start by removing the toothpicks from the apples. If your gelatine set correctly you should have floaty apples, also known as magic.
Grab your cauldrons and arrange your shots so that they take up most of the room, but aren't crammed inside. Do this before adding water to the cauldron, unless you want this task to be part of the game as well.
After you're satisfied with your shot arrangement, add cold water until they just start to 'bob'. Chances are they won't float fully, unless you found an exceptionally small apple.

For a more civilized party, your guests can use their hands to pick up their shots. Or you can do it the authentic way.
If you want to get extra creative, try adding some chunks of dry ice to the cauldron. Just remember not to inhale.

Enjoy!

Step 4: Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots: Ingredient Gathering

Makes approximately 12 2oz shots

Ingredients you'll need:

1 cup + 1/4 cup cold water
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or to taste)
1/4 cup brown sugar (loosely packed)
1/4 cup spiced rum (or alcohol of your choice)
1 envelope gelatine
1/2 tablespoon almond milk. (if you're lucky enough not to have a dairy allergy, substituting heavy cream works great)

Other materials:

2 oz plastic shot cups
Small saucepan
Assorted implements of measurement
Something to "disguise" your finished shots in. I used small plastic "jack 'o lanterns" I found at the party store.
Festive holiday themed hand towel optional.

Step 5: Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots: the Making Of...

The beauty of these jello shots is the limited amount of prep needed to make them. So...
Take your pumpkin puree and add the pumpkin pie spice. Mix.

Aaaand...
Time to gel!
1.  Pour 1 cup cold water into a small saucepan. Leave your stove off for now, heat not yet required.
2.  Sprinkle 1 envelope of gelatine on top, and let it sit for 1-2 minutes. Oh what a shame. This is another opportunity to sample your rum. You need to make doubly sure that it's still going to taste awesome.
3.  Turn on the heat! Medium will do. Stir the gelatine until it dissolves, and bring to a light boil.
4.  Remove from heat. Add pumpkin mix and brown sugar, stir to combine. This is where we work off the rum we imbibed from the last recipe. Don't give up! Just keep stirring. Let cool slightly if using heavy cream to avoid curdling. If using almond milk, onwards!
5.  In a separate bowl, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup cold water, 1/2 cup rum, and half tablespoon almond milk (or heavy cream)
5a. For a non alcoholic, kidlette friendly version, stir together 3/4 cup cold water and half tablespoon almond milk (or heavy cream)
6.  Combine liquid with gelatine/pumpkin mixture. Stir until well blended.

Grab those trusty shot cups, and fill.
Refrigerate until set. Roughly 4 hours. While we wait... Is there any rum left? Let's fix that.

Step 6: Pumpkin Pie Jello Shots: the Disguise

I found these adorable mini jack 'o lanterns at Party City, and they are the exact right diameter for holding the shot cups. They even come with a handy carrying... handle. How handy!

The addition or omission of the jack 'o lantern makes this a perfect holiday shot for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Fall in general!

Top with a dollop of whipped cream if desired. (and aren't allergic to dairy)

Pictured is a caramel flavored, alcohol infused whipped cream. Yes, such a thing exists. Who knew?

Enjoy!