Fireball is so trendy right now, it’s figuratively and flavorfully on fire. Ever since I first tried the hot cinnamon-flavored whisky on Memorial Day Weekend, I see it everywhere! Since I’m totally obsessed with all things cinnamon (mmm Red Hot Cupcakes), I’m loving its popularity and candy-flavored burn. Ryan and our friends are into it as well, and when we found out that the bar at our wedding venue didn’t carry Fireball, Ryan went so far as to buy two handles so we’d have it in stock! So yea, we’re definitely Fireball fans over here. And it was only a matter of time before I featured our new favorite liquor in a jello shot! But not just any jello shot, a cupcake jello shot complete with Fireball buttercream and festive sprinkles of course.
Ryan and I attended our first ugly sweater Christmas party this past weekend, and I knew Ryan’s friends would definitely appreciate some boozy treats. We were slammed with a big storm on Saturday, so these hot cinnamon winter warmers were perfect for our decked out friends. And to say they went quickly is an understatement – they were gone in a matter of minutes! Everyone seemed happy enough doing regular shots of Fireball, but these took the show shortly after they were brought out of the fridge. Jello shots are always popular, but these are made with Fireball and there’s frosting on top!! It’s not even a contest, these will win everyone over at your next holiday party. Well, those that are over 21 at least :)
For these jello shots, I poured the mixture of gelatin, ginger ale, and Fireball into my silicone peanut butter cup mold
I definitely foresee requests for me to remake these jello shots over and over again, and I’ll be happy to oblige. They’re very easy to throw together and were a complete hit at the party. The only thing that wasn’t perfect was that the frosting swirl didn’t completely adhere to the jello so they slid around a bit during transport. Putting them in the foil cupcake liners did help keep them contained, and added a festive flair as well. Just keep this mechanical issue in mind if you’re bringing them to a party, or maybe add the swirl before the jello is completely set (and let me know if that works if you try them out). Happy holidays everyone – hope your first weekend of seasonal parties was as fun as mine!
Fireball Jello Shot Cupcakes
Yield: 30 jello shots
Ingredients:
for the fireball jello shots:
1-1/3 cup ginger ale
2 envelopes plain gelatin
2/3 cup Fireball whisky
Few drops red food coloring
for the fireball buttercream:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp Fireball whisky
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
Directions:
for the fireball jello shots:
Lightly spray mold with non-stick spray and wipe excess off with a paper towel.
Pour the ginger ale into a medium saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Allow the gelatin to soak for 2-3 minutes, then begin to heat on low, stirring constantly until gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).
Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the whisky and a few drops of red food coloring. Pour into molds and chill for several hours, or until set.
for the fireball buttercream:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Reduce the speed and add the whisky, powdered sugar, and salt. Increase the speed back to medium-high and mix until creamy and smooth. Transfer frosting to a piping bag and decorate each jello shot with a swirl, adding sprinkles if desired. Store jello shots in the fridge until ready to serve.
Buttercream recipe adapted from The Dollop Book of Frosting
Have you ever had Jello made with Red Hots? I think that would be a good base for these shots.
Fireball whiskey is my favorite adult beverage! It tastes just like the candy and makes you feel dandy!
You used plain gelatin but how do you think it would taste with cherry flavor?
Erica — December 17th, 2013 @ 9:22 pm
Hmm it would definitely change the flavor but I think it might still be good. If you could find plain gelatin I think that would be best!
Does the recipie only call for 2/3 cup of fireball (as in two-thirds of one cup) or am I reading that wrong? I just feel like that is such a small amount. Thanks!
Erica — December 24th, 2013 @ 2:42 am
Yup, it’s only 2/3 of a cup – not tons but enough to give it a kick!
I am using knox gelatine the box has 4 envelopes which are very small do i use just 2 of them ? And the ginger ale…thats 1 cup+1/3cup?
Erica — December 24th, 2013 @ 3:22 pm
Yup, just 2 of the small envelopes. And 1+1/3, correct :) Enjoy!!
I kind of feel dumb asking this, but I don’t have a silicone cup mold. Can I just use the foil cupcake liners or should I use something else?
Erica — December 29th, 2013 @ 5:16 pm
Yup foil liners would work, or those little paper/plastic cups jello shots are traditionally made in
Approximately how many does this recipe make?
Erica — December 29th, 2013 @ 5:15 pm
About 30 small jello shots
If I wanted to use more Fireball should I do that in place of the gingerale?
Erica — December 30th, 2013 @ 3:47 pm
Yes, just make sure the total amount of liquid stays the same!
Can these be made a day in advance? I can’t wait to try one!
Erica — December 30th, 2013 @ 10:07 pm
Yup!
I’m making these ahead of time for a party, should I put the frosting on and store in the fridge, or put the frosting on right before serving? Can’t wait to try these!
Erica — December 31st, 2013 @ 2:05 pm
I would put the frosting on right before serving if youc an, but I stored them in the fridge overnight before serving them and they still came out great! (Although the frosting didn’t stick very well to the Jello, still not sure about that!)
2 envelopes of gelatin as in what size of envelopes ?
Erica — December 31st, 2013 @ 4:28 pm
0.25 oz each. I used Knox brand, good luck!!
How in the world did you get 30 shots? I used 1oz condiment cups and only got 18. Is that 30 shots from 1 box of knox? Cause that makes sense.
Erica — January 1st, 2014 @ 5:35 pm
If you look at the mold I used for mine, they are much smaller than your average 1oz cups. Sorry I wasn’t more clear about exactly how small each one is, hope they still came out well!
A person (not page) on facebook called “wine cellar” from New Jersey, is posting this, with your photo and exact recipe, without a link to your blog or any credit being given. I’m not sure if you make money from ads on your blog, but you’re potentially missing out on traffic from this… I’ve enjoyed your blog and recipes, hope that you can work something out with the fb user.
Erica — January 29th, 2014 @ 1:09 pm
Hi Shay, I don’t see the post but thanks for the heads up. It’s really a shame how often things like this happen!!
I made the fire ball shots exactly like the recipe
Called and the didn’t set up well and the were
Gritty tasting.
I used non stick small cup cake pan
Without liner
Sprayed pan first
What did I do wrong so disappointed
Was so excited to try these?
Erica — February 3rd, 2014 @ 2:10 pm
Did you allow the gelatin to soak and then mix until fully dissolved? That’s the only reason I’m thinking they were gritty – if the gelatin wasn’t dissolved. And you used 0.25 oz envelopes of Knox (or similar brand) plain gelatin right? Just trying to help you troubleshoot!
Looks like a show stopper
Will these shots be strong enough?? I feel like 2/3 cups of fireball isn’t a lot of liquor for 30 shots
Erica — July 2nd, 2014 @ 7:34 pm
The shots I made are really tiny, so yea it’s not a lot of alcohol per shot. But if you make them bigger in plastic shot glasses or something, you’ll end up with less than 30 but stronger shots. If you make them 1 oz shots they’ll definitely be stronger!
I haven’t made these yet but will be tonight for our labor day Bbq tomorrow.
I have made many Jello shots in the past and suggest using a toothpick to poke holes in jello shots before adding frosting to keep it from sliding. Can’t wait to taste. Thanks for sharing!
Erica — September 1st, 2014 @ 12:54 pm
That’s such a good idea!! Thanks for sharing, hope they came out well :)
I messed up and mixed the ginger ale, Fireball and food coloring already. Will it still work or do I have to start over. I didn’t use the gelatin yet or heat it. Thanks!
Erica — October 11th, 2014 @ 9:16 pm
I’m not totally sure, but I think it might still work just fine :)
I made them and they turned out great but I do think they need a bit more fireball in them. You couldn’t really taste it at all.
Erica — November 22nd, 2014 @ 10:48 am
You could try increasing the Fireball to 1 cup and decreasing the ginger ale to 1 cup if you wanted more Fireball. Not sure how it would work because I haven’t tried it, but let me know if you do!
What would you recommend for a non-alcoholic substitute but still have that cinnamon flavor?
Erica — December 13th, 2014 @ 7:23 pm
You could combine water and cinnamon flavoring oil to replace the Fireball – here’s a link to one I found! http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-1913-1029-Candy-Flavoring-Set/dp/B001205FI4/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1418516579&sr=1-1&keywords=cinnamon+oil+baking
When I went to Fl 5 yrs ago you couldn’t get fireball they never heard of it so when I went down the next year I brought several bottles with me and all of my friends friends fell in love with it what a great idea I wil definitely be making these for new years
I’m trying this in a “lasagna” type glass pan, then going to just spread the “frosting” over it and cut into small squares. I guess I might cut first. Anyway, hoping it works that way because it sounds delicious! Thanks!
Did you actually set them in the mini cupcake/candy papers or did you mold them first then transfer them into them for display?
Erica — December 14th, 2014 @ 9:54 am
I set them in the mold first, then transferred to the cupcake liners for serving purposes. Sorry for any confusion!
In the pictures, it looks like they were garnished with a small red item as well, it was not mentioned in your recipe. Could you mention what that small red object is? I’d like to garnish mine with them as well :)
Thanks!
Erica — December 16th, 2014 @ 8:01 am
They’re red hots! Just the little candies you can find in the candy aisle or baking aisle usually. Enjoy :)
When you spray the pan with the non-cooking spray is butter flavor ok, or is that going to change the flavor? I have Olive Oil as well, but I feel that will be too strong?
Erica — December 17th, 2014 @ 7:08 am
I think butter flavor is better – you won’t taste it in the final product!
I can’t print the recipe ???
My friends suggested I use less ginger ale and more fireball. Also they suggested I use the plastic shot cups and not use the hard candy topping. I will try that the next time.
Norma,
The red hots are mentioned in the directions just before the actual recipe. Sometimes the details in the article shows much more than the actual recipe does.
As for the shots and serving method, I would do this same method with Peach schnapps and cream jell-o with a small peach slice on top. Watermelon schnapps and soda with a piece of melon on top….etc
What is fireball whiskey? I’m in Australia do they sell it here?
Erica — December 23rd, 2014 @ 2:11 am
It’s a hot cinnamon flavored whisky sold here in the States. Look to see if there are other types of sweet cinnamon whisky near you!
How far in advance can you make these?
Erica — December 23rd, 2014 @ 2:10 am
About 2-3 days, enjoy!
I have never used unflavored gelatin before. Is it sweetened? Or does the ginger ale sweeten them up a bit? Thanks for sharing this recipe. Can’t wait to try them. I’m assuming you can use one of the other cinnamon hot whiskys out there?
Erica — December 23rd, 2014 @ 2:10 am
Unflavored gelatin is not sweetened, but the cinnamon whisky has a lot of sugar so that sweetens them. And yes, any cinnamon whisky works!
I make fireball shots with Apple jello! They are delicious! Use 1/2 cup fireball instead of some of the water! Taste like Applepie!
Do NOT use mini paper baking cups … I just did and they did not hold their shape. Everything spilled onto my cookie sheet I was storing them on in the fridge. I guess I’ll try again next year. :(
I took your advice and tried them increasing the Fireball to 1 cup and reducing the ginger ale to 1 cup. They came out great! Thanks!
Followed this to the ‘T’ and they never solidified! 36 cupcakes of colored ginger ale!
Tripled the alcohol and it was even better! Used plastic jello shot cups. Much better than the original!
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it. This is the link below, to the post from wine cellar that Shay was talking about. I added them and commented on it saying the stole it bit they deleted my comment and me.
What kind of pan did u use to get the ripples on the side? Or did u use paper liners?
Erica — February 11th, 2015 @ 11:43 am
This is the pan I used – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UDEKDM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003UDEKDM&linkCode=as2&tag=eriswetoo-20. It’s silicone and perfect for the jello shots!
I don’t have the pan that you used and trying to figure out how else I could get the ripple shape. Could I use a mini muffin pan lined with small foil cupcake liners? Or do you think it would work if I used mini liners inside of the shot glasses?
Just a tip, do not use the foil cupcake molds, instead, use the paper ones. The reason for this, the acids in the jell-o mixture will disolve the aluminum foil and could cause aluminum poisoning.
Have you considered replacing the gingerale with hard cider to make apple pie Jell-O shots?
Erica — March 2nd, 2015 @ 8:56 am
I hadn’t – that’s such a good idea!!
Where do.u get the molds for these. I have cupcake molds but.not.small ones like this
Erica — March 29th, 2015 @ 7:34 pm
This is where I got the mold from – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UDEKDM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003UDEKDM&linkCode=as2&tag=eriswetoo-20
can you use a mini muffin tin without liners? How long do these need to set?
Erica — April 17th, 2015 @ 8:02 am
I think you can, but def use a light spraying of non-stick spray. I can’t speak from experience though, so I’m nervous to say it will definitely work! They need a few hours to set.
So I decided to get creative and I soaked gummy bears in fireball for a few hours and added them to the jello… We shall see!
I have made these a few times now and always a big hit! I have the same issue with the icing not staying on great through travel, still trying to figure that out as well!!! I generally use store bought Buttercream and mix in cinnamon sprinkles – probably not as good as the fresh made but I am not as much of a baker. Thank you for the link to the candy mold! I have been using non-stick mini muffin tins.
I made these but had to double the recipe for the shot portion. I used the mold that was suggested but would have liked them a tad bigger. I also felt the icing was a little to sweet so I added a little more of the whisky and some cinnamon. Yummy! I will try the apple jello next time.
Thank you for this!