My girlfriends and I have dubbed these "Cosbys" after the delightful actor who charmed us with his Jello Pudding commercials. Thank you to my dear friend Julie who introduced me to pudding shots! I'm going to make a bold claim here - Pudding shots are the new Jello shot. If these have not made an appearance at any of your friends' parties yet, then prepare to become an instant hero among your group. These are imperative for any Girls' Weekend or Bachelorette Party. They are also going to be amazing at my upcoming Halloween Party.
Pudding shots are creamy little alcohol-infused spoonfuls of HEAVEN. They are great for you, the hostess, because you can make them a week ahead of time and freeze them. There are a million flavor variations to suit your party and your tastes.
Here is the basic recipe:
1 small box of INSTANT chocolate pudding
3/4 C Milk (skim works fine)
1/4 C Vodka
1/2 C Bailey's Irish cream
8 oz Extra Creamy Cool Whip
Mix the pudding mix with the milk with an electric mixer. Then add the booze and mix. Then add the cool whip and mix. Put into small cups and freeze. Serve with little spoons. Makes 24 2oz. servings.
Variations:
- White Chocolate instant pudding mix with Kahlua instead of Bailey's. (Use slightly less than 1/2 Cup or it will taste too boozy.)
- Turtle instant pudding mix (they only carry this flavor around X-mas, so stock up when you see it!) with Caramel Bailey's.
- Chocolate instant pudding mix with Mint Bailey's or peppermint schnapps.
- French Vanilla instant pudding mix with 1/3 C Amaretto instead of the Bailey's.
- I haven't tried this one yet, but imagine that Banana instant pudding mix and Brandy or Rum would be divine. If someone tries this combo, let me know how it turns out!
HOSTESS TIPS:
- You can get 2 oz plastic cups with lids at GFS or other restaurant supply stores. I know GFS has mini spoons, too. The lids are key because then you can stack the shots in your freezer.
- If you have a hard time getting the pudding shot mix into the little cups, you might try putting the pudding shot mix into a large plastic bag and cutting off the corner of the bag, thus creating a way to "pipe" the mix into the little cups. Personally, I did okay just scooping the pudding shot mix with a measuring cup and dripping it into the little cups.
- Top the shot with a little dollop of whipped cream for extra flair.
I have been making these for nearly 10 years now. I will share a few secrets. I NEVER use instant pudding, it takes a little longer but the taste is so much better with cook and serve. The key to cook and serve is to make the pudding first on the stove using just 1C of milk (I also use the large boxes of pudding). I add 1 tub of whipped cream cheese while the pudding is still hot and stir until creamy. Once cool I add the booze and the cool whip! Cherry Pie Filling on top of Vanilla Pudding laced with Godiva White Chocolate Liquore is pretty sinful. Happy partying ladies.
ReplyDeletewhipped cream cheese? Like Philadelphia?
DeleteThere is a local bar here that has these! They call them pudding pops - I've been looking for a recipe for so long! :)
ReplyDeleteUse a ice cream or cookie scoop would be an easy way also. I am definitely going to try these for our next party!
ReplyDeleteAny one of these recipes would be great in a trifle dessert. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteThese sound great but I'm not a fan of cool whip (or whipped cream in general) - what happens if you omit the cool whip?
ReplyDeleteThey are too thin and wont turn out right. You need the added cool whip for the fluffyness of the recipe.
DeleteJLew - you could try it! The consistency would be totally different. These pudding shots are very thick, almost like ice cream once they are frozen. I hardly taste the cool whip in the finished product. It just helps them freeze well and gives a good texture.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comments, everyone. I can't believe how many hits this post has been getting lately! Gotta love pinterest. :)
To make the variations kind the chocolate pudding with peppermint schnapps. Do I follow the recipe and just add these or mix just these two things?
ReplyDeleteFollow the basic recipe but substitute peppermint schnapps for the Baileys.
ReplyDeleteI can't find the little condiment cups anywhere - think it would be okay to serve from small bowls or even small cups? Think I should still freeze it or just serve it chilled?
ReplyDeletegfs has them
DeleteSahm I Am - I buy them at Party City I don't know if it is a national chain, but try a 'party' supply store.
ReplyDeleteSounds great & I can't wait to make them!!
ReplyDeleteSAHM I AM - maybe you could just use those Dixie bathroom cups and put a piece of cardboard between each level to stack them in the freezer. They taste much better frozen - kinda like alcoholic ice cream.
ReplyDeleteThese would make great adult pudding popsicles too, for those hot summer days. :)
ReplyDeleteI also use cheesecake pudding and Tequila Rose and another one I make is vanilla pudding with orange vodka and triple sec....YUMMY. Liquor stores also usually have the cups
ReplyDeleteHow much tequila rose? Still use the vodka?
DeleteIs it necessary to put vodka in them? Has anyone tried any without vodka?
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ReplyDeleteyou just need 3/4 c of any kind of alcohol - cheesecake pudding with 1/2 c. vanilla schnapps and 1/4 c. cherry schnapps is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteJust a tip from someone who's made these for years....add a packet of plain knox gelatin to the milk and let sit for 5 minutes before mixing. It'll help the pudding shots have more of a "set" to them, if you put the pudding shots in the little condiment cups and freeze them for 8 hours, you won't have to use a spoon...they'll come out alot like jello shots with a quick swipe of the tongue around the edges.
ReplyDeletecan't wait to try these at the race in Charlotte next week end. we usually have jello shots .
ReplyDeletechocolate pudding with 1/4c cherry liqueur and 1/2c Talea (amaretto cream liqueaur)= choc. covered cherry pie. pour on oreo crusts & garnish with pie filling and shaved chocolate
ReplyDeleteRecently turned 21 and new to the alcohol thing.. Do you think white chocolate liqueur would work instead of bailey's?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely yes!
DeleteCan I refridgerate them not freeze so they are.just like pudding? Anyone try that?
ReplyDeleteI am making these for New Years Eve with coconut pudding/baileys/coconut rum and putting them in little chocolate dessert cups. They will be the hit of the party!
ReplyDeleteWe have tried to refrigerate them before but they just didnt set. There is to much alcohol in them.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have any ideas how to make a chocolate caramel pudding shot?? I would love to try that!
ReplyDeleteUV or Smirnoff has a Caramel flavored vodka out now. I would use that plus the chocolate pudding for them Courtney!
ReplyDeletecups and covers are available at Walmart in paper plate/cup area
ReplyDelete