Butterscotch Jello Shots Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

Jello shots just got a whole lot classier! These Butterscotch Jello Shots are a delicious adult jello shot recipe perfect for any party in need of a little extra fun.

(This recipe for Butterscotch Jello Shots was originally posted in January 2012, but was updated with new photos in 2018).

I know. I KNOW. Why is Sues writing a post about jello shots? How old is this girl, anyway? Clearly she can't let go of her college days. Now we see the truth behind all that co*cktail Friday business. She probably sits on her couch and drinks herself silly every day of the week.

But no… I swear it's not like that. Seriously. I'm just here to keep you up to date on all the latest trends and things that are hip in the food world. And Ladies and Gentleman, jello shots are it.

Of course, not the jello shots you remember from your college days. Oh no. These are the more grown up kind. Not the "let's do jello shots to get drunk" jello shots. But let's treat jello shots like culinary masterpieces and enjoy them like we would any dessert slash after-dinner drink.

At their recent New Year's Eve party, my sister and Adam ended up having quite a few jello shot delicacies. In addition to my butterscotch jello shots, they made a cosmopolitan jello shot. And even a chocolate peanut butter jello shot. Sounds odd, but was actually amazing tasting. And beautiful at that.

Believe it or not, there is actually a whole book on grown-up jello shots called Jelly Shot Test Kitchen (affiliate link). And I got this recipe inspirations from their blog… a recipe that was actually inspired from Harry Potter. Seriously. They're were originally Butterbeer Jelly Shots and I'm pretty sure they taste like what you would actually imagine Butterbeer to taste like… If, you know, Harry Potter and gang had the opportunity to have jello shots (believe it or not, this isn't the only Harry Potter-inspired jello shot the gal from this blog has come up with).

I did change up the recipe a bit and have never had butterbeer before, but have come to the conclusion that if you enjoy butterscotch, you will enjoy this jello shot recipe.

BUTTERSCOTCH JELLO SHOTS RECIPE

It's super simple to make these butterscotch jello shots. Seriously, just as easy as making jello shots in those little plastic cups like you did in college. But way classier.

Start by putting the cream soda in a medium-sized saucepan and sprinkling the gelatin over the top. Let it sit for about 2 minutes, to soften. The mixture will look a bit funky!

You'll heat the mixture over low heat, making sure to keep stirring, until all the gelatin is dissolved (4-6 minutes). And it will start to look normal again. And then you can stir in the vanilla vodka and butterscotch schnapps. You can change up the proportions if you like. If you want a bit of a stronger jello shot, add more vanilla vodka. If you prefer sweeter, add more butterscotch schnapps.

I've made this a couple different ways, both in a9x5 loaf pan and in a 9x9 square baking pan. The recipe below is for the loaf pan version, but if you prefer to do it in a square pan, I recommend doubling the recipe since you'll have more surface area to cover.

You'll have to refrigerate the mixture for about 3 hours, until the jello is fully set. And then cut the jello into cubes… Or how ever you want to cut them. Of course, if you're serving these at a party (which I kind of hope you are as opposed to simply making them for yourself lol), you'll want to decorate your butterscotch jello shots.

But just know that the sprinkles will dissolve into the jello pretty quickly. So, you should decorate them until right before you're going to serve them.

But for at least a few minutes the butterscotch jello shots will look super fun and New Year-sy. Though depending on what kind of sprinkles you use, you can customize them to whatever holiday you're serving them for.

I should note that sanding sugar is one of the best decorations to use and you want to be careful not to go too crazy on the sprinkles since people aren't generally carefully chewing jello shots.

Though these are so delicious and so different from the jello shots from back in the day where you'd gulp them down hoping not to taste any of the liquor. With these butterscotch jello shots, you actually enjoy consuming them like you would any co*cktail or dessert that you normally indulge in. How's that for a co*cktail Friday?

Jello shot recipe ideas are seriously endless and I can think of a thousand more I want to make. I'm hoping adult jello shots stay in style for a long time!

Would you try making an adult version of jello shots? Or will they always just be too college for you?

If you're looking for more celebratory food, perfect for New Year's Eve and other events, check out these Dark Chocolate-Dipped Figs with Gorgonzola and these Cheddar Cups with Avocado Feta Mousse. And these Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Jello Shots from A Beautiful Mess are the cutest!

📖 Recipe