Halloween Candy Corn Jello Shots

Halloween Candy Corn Jello Shots are the ultimate party treat—bright, layered, and beautifully balanced between citrus and creamy vanilla. These vibrant, tri-colored shots perfectly mimic the look of real candy corn while offering a refreshing, lightly sweet flavor. They’re easy to make ahead, look incredible on a marble tray, and fit right in at any Halloween bash.

Each glass starts with a lemon-yellow base, followed by a smooth orange layer and a white, milk-sweetened top. A fluffy swirl of whipped cream and festive sprinkles complete the look, making every shot photo-ready and irresistibly fun.

A quick history note: candy corn was created in the 1880s and called “chicken feed” before becoming a Halloween classic. Today, these jello shots give that nostalgic treat a grown-up twist that can also be made kid-friendly with a mocktail version. They’re clean, colorful, and impossible not to love—whether you serve them chilled for friends or sweetened up for family fun.

Recipe Yield: 18 servings

INGREDIENTS

Yellow Layer
1 pkg (3 oz) lemon gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup plain vodka (chilled)

Orange Layer
1 pkg (3 oz) orange gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup vanilla vodka (chilled)

White Opaque Layer
2 tsp unflavored gelatin (1 envelope)
1/3 cup cold water
2/3 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup vanilla vodka (chilled)

Topping & Garnish
1 cup cold heavy cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
18 candy corn candies
2 tbsp orange, yellow, and white sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prep the cups:
Arrange 18 tall, uniform shot glasses on a rimmed sheet pan for easy moving. Chill glasses 10 minutes for quicker set.

2. Make the yellow layer:
Whisk lemon gelatin with 1 cup boiling water until fully dissolved. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup vodka. Fill each glass about 1/3 high. Refrigerate 30–40 minutes until softly set.

3. Pour the orange layer:
Dissolve orange gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup vanilla vodka. Gently pour over the yellow layer to reach 2/3 height. Chill 30–40 minutes until set.

4. Create the white opaque layer:
Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/3 cup cold water; bloom 5 minutes. Add 2/3 cup boiling water and whisk until smooth. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 cup vanilla vodka; cool to room temp (not warm). Carefully pour to reach just below the rim. Refrigerate 45–60 minutes, until fully set.

5. Whip and finish:
Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to medium-soft peaks. Pipe or spoon a textured, slightly uneven swirl on each shot. Sprinkle lightly with tri-color sprinkles and top with a candy corn.

6. Serve and store:
Keep chilled until party time. For the cleanest layers, serve within 24 hours; add whipped cream within 2 hours of serving.

Non-Alcoholic Candy Corn Jello Shots (Mocktail Version)

For the same look and flavor—minus the alcohol—follow the main recipe with these quick swaps:

Yellow Layer:
Use 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold lemonade (no vodka).

Orange Layer:
Use 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold orange juice or orange soda (no vanilla vodka).

White Layer:
Replace the 1/4 cup vanilla vodka with 1/4 cup half-and-half or milk.

Whipped Topping & Garnish:
Same as original—fresh whipped cream, festive sprinkles, and candy corn on top!

Pro Tip:
Let the layers set fully and chill overnight for a firmer, clean-cut look. These mocktail shots are kid-friendly, fun for office events, and perfect for family-style Halloween parties.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Set Each Layer Fully: Because neat edges matter, refrigerate until the surface is no longer tacky. Then, pour the next layer slowly over the back of a spoon to avoid dents and blending.
• Match the Photo Finish: For bright, opaque white, use the milk-gelatin layer as written; then add a fluffy whipped-cream swirl for height and a luxe, bakery-style look.
• Keep It Silky, Not Harsh: Chill vodka first and stick to the listed ratios. This keeps the texture tender while preserving flavor and clean sets—ideal for tall glasses.