White Jello recipe

Let me tell you about the white jello shots recipe that stole the show at our last grown-up game night. Donald invited a few friends over, I made a tray of these creamy coconut shots, and they were gone before the pizza even arrived.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Recipe
• What You Need For This White Jello Shots Recipe
• White Jello Shots Recipe
• How To Make White Jello Shots Step By Step
• Storage Tips For White Jello Shots
• Fun Ways To Change Up This White Jello Shots Recipe
• White Jello Shots Recipe FAQ
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On This White Jello Shots Recipe

Here's the thing. I used to think jello shots were a college thing. Then I tried making them with sweetened condensed milk and coconut rum, and honestly? These taste like a little piña colada dessert in a glass.

They're simple too. Fifteen minutes of prep, two hours in the fridge, and you're done. If you love fun party shots like these, you'll also want to peek at my red white and blue jello shots for your next holiday get together.

Why You Will Like This Recipe

• Only 15 minutes of hands on time. The fridge does the rest while you set up for your party.
• Creamy, not rubbery. The sweetened condensed milk gives these a smooth, silky texture.
• Big coconut taste. Coconut rum, cream of coconut, and coconut water all work together here.
• Make ahead friendly. You can prep these up to three days early. That's a lifesaver when hosting.
• They look fancy with zero skill. A swirl of Cool Whip and white sprinkles, and people think you hired a caterer.
• Just 7 ingredients. Nothing weird, nothing you can't find at a regular grocery store.

What You Need For This White Jello Shots Recipe

Here's everything for about 20 shots. I always double check my cart before leaving the store because cream of coconut hides in the cocktail mixer aisle, not the baking aisle.

• 2 packets unflavored gelatin (0.25 ounces each)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
• 1 cup coconut rum
• ½ cup cream of coconut
• ¼ cup cold coconut water
• ¼ cup boiling coconut water
• 1 tub Cool Whip (8 ounces)
• White nonpareil sprinkles

A quick but important note. Cream of coconut and coconut cream are NOT the same thing. I grabbed the wrong can once and the whole batch tasted flat. It has to be cream of coconut, the sweet, syrupy kind.

If you're new to working with gelatin, my guide on how to use gelatin powder covers all the basics.

You'll also want 20 shot glasses (1.5 ounce size), a medium mixing bowl, a whisk, and a pourable measuring cup. A frosting bag with an Ateco #824 tip is optional but makes the garnish look gorgeous.

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How To Make White Jello Shots Step By Step

I've made these four times now, and this order of steps works every single time. Don't rush the gelatin part. That's where most people go wrong.

Bloom The Gelatin First

Pour the cold coconut water into a medium mixing bowl. Sprinkle both packets of gelatin over the top and give it a gentle stir so all the powder gets wet.

Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens up. This step is called blooming, and if you want the full breakdown, I wrote a whole post on how to bloom gelatin because it comes up in so many of my recipes.

Dissolve And Mix

Pour the boiling coconut water over the bloomed gelatin. Whisk until every bit dissolves and the mixture looks smooth.

Now add the sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, and coconut rum. Whisk it all together until combined.

Here's a tip I learned the hard way. If the condensed milk won't fully blend in, pop the bowl in the microwave for about 15 seconds, then whisk again. Works like a charm.

Fill And Chill

Pour the mixture into your shot glasses. I transfer everything to my pourable measuring cup first because it saves me from wiping drips off the counter for ten minutes.

Leave a little room at the top of each glass. Trust me, carrying 20 full shot glasses to the fridge without spilling is not a skill I have.

Chill for 2 hours, or until fully set.

Garnish Before Serving

When it's party time, top each shot with a swirl of Cool Whip and a pinch of white sprinkles. I use the frosting bag and tip, starting at the outside edge and circling inward until I finish in the middle.

Sarah watched me pipe these and said they looked like tiny snow clouds. She's not wrong! If you want a topping that holds its shape longer, my stabilized whipped cream is perfect for that.

Storage Tips For White Jello Shots

These are one of my go to make ahead party treats. Here's what works.

Keep them ungarnished and covered in the fridge for up to three days. I cover the tray loosely with plastic wrap so nothing in the fridge flavors them.

Don't add the Cool Whip and sprinkles until an hour or less before serving. The garnish gets weepy if it sits too long.

And please don't freeze them. Gelatin turns grainy and sad in the freezer. I tested it once so you don't have to.

Fun Ways To Change Up This White Jello Shots Recipe

After a few rounds of testing in my Manhattan kitchen, here are my honest tips and twists.

• Want stronger coconut? Add ½ teaspoon coconut extract. Fair warning, it packs a serious coconut punch.
• Swap the sprinkles. White jimmies look pretty too. I've also used shredded coconut for a snowy look.
• Skip the piping bag. A small spoon of Cool Whip works fine. The frosting tip is just for looks.
• See little white flecks on top? That's the cream of coconut settling. Totally normal, and nobody at my table has ever noticed.
• Need an alcohol free version? I make a small kid batch with coconut milk instead of rum so Alex and Sarah don't feel left out. If you avoid gelatin altogether, my vegan jello recipe is a great starting point.

Have you ever tried a creamy jello shot instead of the neon fruity kind? Once you do, there's no going back.

White Jello Shots Recipe FAQ

Can You Make White Jello Shots Ahead Of Time?

Yes, and I recommend it! Make them up to three days ahead, keep them covered in the fridge, and hold off on the garnish. Add the Cool Whip and sprinkles right before your guests arrive. It's one less thing on party day.

How Long Do White Jello Shots Last In The Refrigerator?

They stay good for about three days when covered. After that, the texture starts to slip and the coconut taste fades. Honestly, they've never lasted more than a day in my apartment anyway.

Can I Make White Jello Shots Without Coconut Rum?

You can! Vanilla vodka or plain white rum both work well. The shots will taste less coconutty, so I'd add that ½ teaspoon of coconut extract to make up for it. For a zero alcohol batch, swap the rum for coconut milk or more coconut water.

Why Didn't My White Jello Shots Set Properly?

Usually it's a gelatin issue. Either the gelatin didn't bloom long enough, or the boiling water wasn't hot enough to dissolve it fully. Measure carefully and give that bloom a full 2 to 3 minutes. My Knox gelatin recipe guide walks through the common mistakes too.

Recipes You May Like

• Creamy Jack Frost Cocktail — another coconut forward drink that feels like a mini vacation in a glass.
• Salted Caramel White Russian Cocktail — creamy, sweet, and perfect for the same party spread.
• Easy Christmas Punch — a big batch drink so you're not playing bartender all night.

Final Thoughts On This White Jello Shots Recipe

So there you have it. Bloom the gelatin, whisk in the creamy coconut goodness, pour, chill, and garnish. That's the whole thing.

I love this white jello shots recipe because it feels special without any real effort, and that's exactly my kind of party food. Donald has already requested them for his birthday, which tells you everything.

Give these a try at your next gathering and let me know how they turn out for you! And don't forget to save this one to Pinterest so you can find it when party season rolls around.