Monday, October 31, 2011

Someone to Watch Over Me . . .


I always feel like . . . someone's watching me.  
Oh, silly me, it's just a gaggle of Blueberry-tini Jelly Shots!

Happy Halloween everyone!  Yes, I know . . . Eyeballs.  Again.  We did eyeballs last year, yes.  However one of JSTK's wonderful, adorable followers supplied a tip to make them ever so easy - using blueberries as the "pupil" of each eyeball rather than the "cut and paint" method of days gone by.  That, and there's a fab new Blueberry-tini Jelly Shot recipe to share.  So clearly, eyeballs needed another Halloween go!
  (I already am thinking about eyeball method tweaks for next year, so its fair to say that you, my loves, will have eyeball jelly shots in your collective future for some time to come . . .)  

The recipe came together in a snap.  I am inclined to give credit to the energy and enthusiasm of our little testing group, which included Intern Doug (natch!), artist Heidi Henderson (check out Heidi's work here - it's amazing!), and intrepid photojournalist Bob Crippa from Twin Cities' KARE 11.  We also tested a 50/50 mix of lemonade and blueberry vodka, which was really yummy as well - it just had a bit more bite than the final version, which is a little sweeter and more blueberry-y.

So have a sweet and spooky good time tonight!  I hope you get lots of candy and/or whatever other goodies rock your Halloween world  . . .

XOXOX

Michelle

P.S. I'll be posting a "pretty" version of the Blueberry-tini this week as well!  



Blueberry-tini Jelly Shots (ocular style)

Ingredients:
  • 2/3 cup prepared lemonade (strained to remove solids)
  • 2/3 cup lemon lime soda
  • 3 envelopes Knox gelatin (increase to 3 if using molds)
  • 2/3 cup blueberry vodka (we used Stoli)
  • 15 fresh blueberries
  • Food coloring, in desired “eye” colors

First, prepare a half hemisphere silicon mold with a light application of cooking spray.  (Click here for the mold we used!)  Wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance. Place each mold on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to provide a stable surface for handling.

Combine the lemonade and soda in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. (Mixture may be a bit foamy, but this will diminish.) Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka.

Pour 1/2 cup of the gelatin mixture a bowl, and tint as desired with the food coloring - this will form the “irises” of the eyeball jelly shots.  Add 1 teaspoon of the tinted mixture into each mold cavity, and drop a blueberry into each.  Meanwhile, set the un-tinted gelatin aside, covered. 

Refrigerate until the tinted gelatin is set, but slightly sticky to the touch.  Remove the mold from the refrigerator.  Top off the molds with the untinted gelatin.  Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until the eyeballs are fully set, several hours or overnight.  

To serve, unmold, loosen the edges by pulling away from the side of the mold, and pop each jelly shot out.  
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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Polyjuice Potion Jelly Mold (non-alcoholic)


Polyjuice Potion Gelatin - set a cutesy little mold, garnished with smiling gummy worms . . .

Here's a quick remix of our old pal, Polyjuice Potion Jelly Shot.  And this one's non-alcoholic, for the kiddlos.  Looking for something more, well, BOOZETASTIC?  Don't fuss - just click here for the alcoholic version!


Massive spooky XOXOX's to you all!  M.

Polyjuice Potion Jelly Shots

Ginger Ale mixture
1 cup ginger ale
1 envelope plain gelatin

Pineapple mixture
1 cup canned pineapple juice (fresh won't work - the enzymes in fresh pineapple interfere with the gelatin)
1 envelope plain gelatin

Lime mixture
1/2 cup water
1 envelope plain gelatin
1/2 cup lime sherbet, melted

First, prep the mold (I used a 3-cup volume mini bundt pan) by lightly spraying with
 cooking spray.  Then wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance.  


Prepare the three gelatin mixes as follows:

  • Ginger Ale: Pour the ginger ale in a medium saucepan.  Sprinkle with the gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  
  • Pineapple: Pour the pineapple juice in a medium saucepan.  Sprinkle with the gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  
  • Lime: Pour the water in a medium saucepan.  Sprinkle with the gelatin and allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in the melted sherbet.

Pour each mixture into a separate bowl and refrigerate until partially set.  (Just starting to change from liquid to solid - about 20 to 25 minutes.)

Give each mixture a quick stir.  It should be a thick, but still liquid.  Clumpy is fine for this method!! Drop alternating spoonfuls of the three mixtures into the pan, until all the gelatin has been transferred.  Refrigerate until fully set (at least 6 hours or overnight - extra time is needed for the gelatins to bond).



To unmold, fill a large container or sink with warm water (not too hot!).  With clean fingers, loosen the gelatin around the edges of the pan/mold.  Next, dip the mold almost to the edge into the warm water for just a few seconds (10 seconds is usually a good start for larger molds, and 5 for individual). Dry the bottom of the mold with a towel and check the edges to ensure they have loosened up.  (If not, repeat the dip for just a few seconds.) Place your serving plate on top of the mold and invert.   
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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Vodka Tonic Jelly shots


News flash - a flock of glowing vodka tonic bats is headed your way ! 

We've gone absolutely batty.  Why, you ask?  Well, for starters, these cute little Vodka Tonic Jelly Shot bats would put anyone over the edge!  The best part - no fancy schmancy chemical agents or additives are required for this little trick.  Quinine, the active ingredient in tonic water, naturally glows under black light!  (Oh, the wondrous things one learns on the InterWeb.) 



This photograph was taken offsite, over at Intern Doug's.  Quick survey - let's have a show of hands, please.  How many of you are the least bit surprised that Intern Doug has black lights in his basement?  (Me neither . . . )


I used a Wilton ice cube tray for the bat mold . . . here's the link.  These would be just as groovy set in a pan, and cut into cubes for serving, or set in tiny shot glasses, etc.  The black light is obviously the key component of presentation here!


Enjoy! And XOXOX,

Michelle

P.S. Why, yes, gin would be a lovely substitute for vodka . . . 



Vodka Tonic Jelly Shots

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/3 cups tonic water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 envelopes plain Knox gelatin (makes a firm jelly shot for setting in a mold.  Decrease to 2 or 2 1/2 envelopes if using other methods to set, such as loaf pan or mini martini glasses.  An envelope of plain Knox gelatin equals about 2 tsp of gelatin powder.)
  • 2/3 cup vodka (citrus flavored is nice . . .)

First, prepare the silicon molds with a light application of cooking spray.  Then wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance. Place each mold on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to provide a stable surface for handling.

Combine the tonic, citrus juice, and sugar in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. (Mixture will be very foamy, but this will diminish.) Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka.

Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds, and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.
To serve, unmold, loosen the edges by pulling away from the side of the mold, and pop each jelly shot out.








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Friday, October 28, 2011

Gumball Jelly Shot


Who's that with the gorgeously ghoulish toothy grin?  Why it's Gumball Jelly Shot, of course!

Happy Halloween-ish weekend everyone!  I'm celebrating with a candy-themed jelly shot and a cheery little skull mold.  Actually, its a silicone ice cube tray - here's the link - manufacturer is Wilton, and it was stocked at my local craft store (and probably is at yours too!).  Link here. . .

The recipe was initially for a Black Gumball Jelly Shot, based on bubblegum vodka a touch of black Sambuca liqueur.  During testing, it came to my attention that a black gumball is a love-it-or-hate-it affair.
So I experimented with other liqueurs - various "pucker" flavors, and a cinnamon.  The recipe worked beautifully, and its fun to have lots of different colors of gumballs, don't you think?  The only caveat is to use a light hand with the liqueurs - you don't want to lose the delicate, Bazooka Joe flavor of the bubble gum vodka!

XO, Michelle

Gumball Cocktail Jelly Shot

  • 1 1/3 cup lemon-lime soda
  • 2 1/2 - 3 envelopes plain Knox gelatin (about 5 tsp to 6 tsp gelatin powder - varies depending on time the jelly shots are expected to sit out before they are consumed.  5 if not that long, 6 if maybe will be out for a while.)
  • 2/3 cup bubble gum flavored vodka
  • 2 tbsp flavored liqueur (I made 4 colors: Sambuca - black; berry pucker - blue; apple pucker - green; and cinnamon - red)

First, prepare the silicon molds with a light application of cooking spray.  Then wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance. Place each mold on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to provide a stable surface for handling.

Pour the soda into a saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).

Remove from heat, and stir in the bubblegum vodka.  (If making several colors, first stir in the bubblegum vodka, then separate into bowls as desired and add stir in the appropriate ratio of liqueurs for each part.)

Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds, and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.


To serve, unmold, loosen the edges by pulling away from the side of the mold, and just pop each jelly shot out. 
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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Candy Corn Jelly Shot Mold


Candy Corn Jelly Shot Mold . . .  sweet mercy . . . so cute, so devour-able!  

Hello!  It's been a while.  Missed you all sooooo much!  Things have been a bit of a whirlwind.  And, unfortunately I accidentally locked Intern Doug in the Test Kitchen pantry on my way out, so he's been indisposed as well.  (Oh, stop - he's absolutely fine - those test kitchen shelves are well stocked to say the least!)  
Assistant Intern James has been AWOL as well, details unknown, apart from his hair being less blue than usual - and I truly don't know if that is a sign of an uptick or a crisis.  However, we are picking up a new intern over the holidays, Intern Max, and am hopeful this will resolve our staffing issues.

Anyway, during my sabbatical, many, many jelly shot thoughts have been thunk about the upcoming Jelly Shot Season, or as it is known in the ROW (rest of world), Halloween.  Last year, we had some fun with cute kid-friendly treats, but this year, I'd love to really do it up right!  Spooky, fun and boozy, that is!  So, in addition to some new recipes, we'll be featuring some twists on old favorites.

We started with a little remix on an old favorite, Candy Corn Jello.  Originally formulated hooch-free, this recipe adapts beautifully to a sweet, flavored vodka.  I would recommend a whipped cream variety (Pinnacle makes a nice one, and I have heard others do as well), as it's probably the closest taste to the tooth-achingly sweet candy inspiration for the jelly shot - but really vanilla, cake flavored, or even a little creme de cacao (clear, please, not the brown tinted!) would be lovely.

Hope you are all well.  I'll be back very soon with a brand new recipe and a bunch of fun remixes!  In the meantime, big, giant, squooshy XOXOX's to you all!

Michelle


Candy Corn Jelly Shot Mold (adult version)

Use a 3 cup mold, or a 9”x9” cake pan for this little guy.  I love a molded jelly shot, its kinda like a punchbowl!  Here’s the mold we used: mini Kugelhopf mold

Prepare the mold by spraying lightly with PAM cooking spray, or wiping each mold cavity with a little vegetable oil.  Follow by wiping the mold with a clean paper towel.  This will leave the slightest reside which will aid in un-molding the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance.

Begin by preparing the milk layer.

Milk layer

  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
  • 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can)
  • 1/3 cup whipped cream flavored vodka
Pour water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with the gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk.  Next, stir in the vodka. 

Transfer the mixture to a microwave safe bowl.  Spoon 1/2 cup of the condensed milk mixture into the mold.  Set the remaining mixture aside.  (Cover the bowl with the remaining milk mixture with foil and wrap a towel around it to further conserve heat and keep the mixture fluid.)

Place the mold in the refrigerator and chill until set (but slightly sticky when touched), about 30 minutes.

While the milk layer is chilling, prepare the orange layer


Orange Layer

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 envelope Knox gelatin
  • 1 box orange flavored gelatin dessert mix (sugar free dissolves faster!)
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream flavored vodka
Pour water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with the Knox gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  The mixture may be a little thick initially, but will loosen up.  Heat over low heat until plain gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Add the orange gelatin dessert mix and stir until fully dissolved.  Remove from heat and stir in the vodka. 

Pour mixture into a small bowl and refrigerate until the mixture has cooled to room temperature - this will probably take 15-20 minutes. 

Ladle gently over the set white layer.  Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until set (but slightly sticky when touched, about 25 minutes.

When the orange layer is set (but slightly sticky when touched), unwrap the bowl containing the milk gelatin mixture, and stir in a few drops of yellow food coloring.  If the mixture is clumpy, microwave it for 10-15 seconds (make sure it doesn’t get too hot, or it will melt the set gelatin and cook off the alcohol in the vodka).

Gently ladle all of the yellow mixture into the mold, over the set orange layer.  Refrigerate until fully set – at least  6 hours, or ideally overnight, so the layers can fully bond. 

To serve, unmold and place on a pretty plate.  Visit our tips page for unmolding instructions!  (If you are using a cake pan, just cut into desired shapes.  Ideally, cut just before serving – the taste of the jelly shots will evaporate through the cut edges.  I don’t know why, but this does seem to be the case!)  
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Spiked Rainbow Jelly Mold


Spiked Rainbow Jelly Mold . . . CHECK!  Anyone have a bunny, ducky or two?  


Is anyone else a bit low on their Recommended Daily Allowance of bunnies, duckies, and rainbows?  Or maybe its just me.  Hmmm.  I'm currently a bit short on bunnies and duckies, but to make up for it, here's my all time favorite rainbow jelly shot extravaganza ever - the Spiked Rainbow Jelly Mold, inspired by a classic dessert (iconic even!).
"Spiked" or "virgin", Spiked Rainbow Jelly Mold is nothing short of a tabletop showstopper!.  In my "gelatin cocktail" version of the classic, I used a blueberry flavored vodka in each layer- the fruit flavor was off the hook yummy, with all the sweet, creamy multi-hued goodness of the original.


XOXOX


Michelle 



Spiked Rainbow Jelly Mold

  • 4 1/2 cups boiling water, divided
  • 6 (85 g) packages gelatin dessert mix (rainbow colors – red/strawberry or cherry, yellow/lemon, orange, green/lime, blue/blue raspberry and purple grape)
  • 3 envelopes plain Knox gelatin (6 teaspoons of gelatin powder total)
  • 3 cups flavored vodka or rum, divided
  • 1 cup plus 2 tbsp vanilla yogurt, divided

Instructions:
Prep Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 4 1/2 hrs

Place the bottle of vodka in the freezer for several hours before beginning this recipe, to ensure potency!

Lightly spray bundt pan or gelatin mold with non-stick cooking spray.  Wipe off the excess spray with a paper towel.  A slight residue should remain, just enough to help unmold your gelatin, without affecting the taste or appearance.

Pour 3/4 cup water into a saucepan and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the plain gelatin.  Allow gelatin to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Wisk in the first package of flavored gelatin.  Whisk for at least 2 minutes, or until completely dissolved.  (I find the sugar free mix dissolves much faster than the regular!).

Remove from heat.  Add 1/2 cup of the cold liquor, and stir to combine.

Pour 3/4 cup of the gelatin mixture into the prepared mold, and place in refrigerator.  Allow to set for 20 to 30 minutes, until the gelatin is a little firm, but still sticks when touched.  Very important – if the layers set up too much, the next layer won’t bond appropriated. 

Refrigerate the remaining gelatin mixture in bowl about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites). Gradually stir in 3 tablespoons of yogurt and stir until well blended.  This cooling step is also important – the gelatin must be cooled to room temperature before adding on top of other layers, or the layers will not be well defined!

Gently spoon the gelatin/yogurt mixture over set gelatin and return to the refrigerator Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until gelatin is set but not firm (again, it should stick to finger when touched).  As the layers progress, the setting time will become shorter as the pan and gelatin becomes colder, and the layers become thinner as more layers are added to the mold.

Repeat steps with remaining gelatin flavors, for a total of 12 alternating clear and creamy gelatin layers.
After completing all the layers, refrigerate the gelatin overnight.  (This will allow the layers to fully bond!)  

To unmold, fill a larger container or clean sink with warm water (not too hot!).  With clean fingers, loosen the gelatin around the edges of the mold cavities.  Next, dip the mold almost to the edge into the warm water for just a few seconds (10 seconds worked for me). Dry the bottom of the mold with a towel and check the edges to see if they are loose, if not, repeat the dip for just a few seconds. Place your serving plate on top of the mold and invert.   Viola!

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Sunday, September 4, 2011

Rainbow Cake Jelly Shots


Rainbow Cake Jelly Shot.  Its all about the rainbows.  And PINK frosting.  Sprinkles don't hurt either. . .

Quick post.  Because the prescription for a long holiday weekend is indeed F-U-N, because I loves youse . . . and also because of this jelly shot's overwhelming adorableness was so excited to share this CAKE-inspired jelly shot.  Check it out - hope you enjoy!  

XOXOX Michelle


Rainbow Cake Jelly Shots

Ingredients:
  • ·         1 3/4 cups prepared lemonade
  • ·         4 envelopes plain gelatin
  • ·         1 1/4 cups cake flavored vodka (or sub vanilla or whipped cream vodka and a touch of amaretto)
  • ·         2 tsp sweetened condensed milk (up to 4 tbsp is okay - use to sweeten to taste!)
  • ·         6 small bowls (one for each color)
  • ·         liquid food coloring
  • ·         frosting and sprinkles, for garnish, if desired
  • ·         flexible silicone mini muffin pan (cavity volume = 3 tablespoons)

Instructions:
Prepare the mini muffin pans by spraying lightly with cooking spray and then wiping clean with a paper towel. (This will leave a slight residue which will assist in unmolding without effecting the taste or appearance of the jelly shots.)

Pour lemonade into a small saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin. Allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).

Remove from heat, stir in the vodka and sweetened condensed milk.

Divide into 1/2 cup portions and pour into 6 separate bowls. Use liquid food coloring for rainbow colors (in this case: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet). (I wanted a very vibrant rainbow, so used 4 drops of liquid food coloring for each color. Feel free to amp up the food coloring as necessary.)

Spoon 3/4 teaspoon of the red gelatin mixture into the muffin pan cavities. Refrigerate until set, but still sticky when touched. (The first layer will take 20 minutes or so, subsequent layers will take less time.) Repeat with remaining colors.

Refrigerate overnight to allow the layers to fully bond.

To serve, loosen around the edges of each muffin cavity and pop out the jelly shots.
Immediately before serving, garnish with a small dollop of frosting and sprinkles (yeah baby!) if desired.




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Friday, August 26, 2011

Fire Breathing Dragons . . .


It's a little bit Spicy, it's a little bit Sweet . . . its Marie Osmond a Fire Breathing Dragon Jelly Shot!

Hello at long last.  I hope you all aren't too cross with me for lack of posting - have missed all of you terribly.  I was hoping to pin my lack of posting on Intern Doug and his maniacal-ly chaotic ways, but that would be wrong, wouldn't it?  Isn't that how things go in Corporate America?  Praise moves up the chain, and blame goes down?  Or do I have that wrong.  Oh well.


To depart for a moment from my limited grasp of corporate lore and vernacular (as well as my inappropriate, incorrect and unforgivable blame-shifting to staff), I thought I would share a little Miami-glam gem whipped up for the Miami New Times (click here for the full article).  Its a little bit sweet, and little bit SPICY - just like Intern Doug.  (Just kidding Doug!  We all know that you are a very dedicated and talented gelatin professional, and I for one greatly enjoyed your solo posts - the recipes and photos were divine!)  

Hope you all enjoy the Fire Breathing Dragon!  I am thinking that one could use jalapeno vodka in this recipe, and omit infusing with fresh jalapeno, however weighing the cost of a pepper versus a bottle (not to mention the shelf space) infusing seemed the way to go.

Cheers and XOXOXOX,

Michelle

P.S.  Cake Month I promised, and Cake Month you shall have.  New recipes to follow next week!  XO.


Fire Breathing Dragon (inspired by the Doraku restaurant cocktail in South Beach, FL)
The recipe below uses a standard non-reactive glass or metal loaf pan (about 4" x 8").  Click here (under Ensuring a Good Impression) for instructions on silicone molds!
  • 2/3 cup mango vodka
  • 1/8 inch thick slice of fresh jalapeno pepper (with seeds)
  • 2/3 cup mango juice blend (used Ceres)
  • 2 envelopes plain gelatin
  • 2/3 cup peach schnapps

In a mixing glass, lightly muddle the jalapeno with the vodka.  Set aside.

Pour the mango juice into a saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat on low, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.

Strain the vodka through thoroughly to remove any seeds, and add to the gelatin mixture with the schnapps.  Stir well. 

Pour into loaf pan or molds.  Refrigerate until fully set (several hours or overnight).  To serve, cut into desired shapes (or unmold).  Pin an orchid behind your ear and enjoy a jelly shot!
  
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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Rock Candy Jelly Shooters


What this fine country needs is more rock candy and jelly shots .... 
a big rock candy jelly shot mountain!

Happy [belated] July 4th! Without further audieu, a few shout outs. First, thanks to the ever divine Baker Royale for her adorable and highly inspirational Midori Sour Rock Candy Jelly Shots. Secondly, a shout out to Tablespoon.com, where this recipe first appeared!

Hope you enjoy!

XO Michelle


Rock Candy Jelly Shooters

Ingredients:
  • 1 3 oz box strawberry gelatin dessert
  • 1 3 oz box berry blue gelatin dessert
  • 3 cups water
  • 6 envelopes plain gelatin (I used Knox, each envelope contains about 2 tsp gelatin powder)
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 1/2 cups ice cold fruit-flavored vodka or rum (use your favorite)

You’ll need: lollipop sticks, 4 loaf pans, 3 heat-safe bowls, cooking spray, a sharp knife

Grab 3 heat-safe bowls. Pour each of the gelatin dessert mixes into two of the bowls and set aside.

Pour the water into a medium saucepan. Sprinkle with the 6 envelopes of plain gelatin. Allow to soak for a minute or two.

Heat over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).

Pour one cup of the plain gelatin mixture into the bowl containing the strawberry gelatin mix. Stir for two minutes, or until the red gelatin is dissolved. Repeat process with the blue gelatin. Add one cup of the vodka or rum to each bowl, stir well, and set aside.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the saucepan containing the rest of the clear gelatin mixture. Add 
1/2 cup of the vodka or rum and stir well to combine.

Lightly spray 4 1 lb loaf pans (about 8" x 5") with cooking spray. Wipe out with a paper towel.

Pour 3/4 cup of the red gelatin mixture into one of the prepared loaf pans. Repeat with 3/4 cup of the blue gelatin mixture. Divide the white gelatin between the remaining two pans. Place all the pans in refrigerator until the gelatin is set (at least an hour).

Cover the remaining liquid gelatins (to keep them warm and pliable) and set aside.

When the pans of gelatin have set, dice the gelatin into small cubes. (You can cut the gelatin right in the pan).

Mix the diced gelatin and divide as desired between two of the loaf pans. (I had two pans that were predominantly blue, and two that were predominantly red cubes.)

Grab the liquid gelatin (if it is starting to set up, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds - just long enough to make it liquid again, but not hot). Pour the liquid gelatin, red in one pan, and blue in the other, to fill about 3/4 of the way up the gelatin cubes. (You may have a little gelatin left over.) Return pans to refrigerator and allow to set for several hours or overnight.

Remove pans from the fridge. Cut around the edges of the pan, and invert the gelatin slabs onto a non-stick surface for cutting.

Cut the gelatin into 3/4 to 1" zig-zaggy strips, wiggling your knife to give an uneven edge (like rock candy). If you cut the strips too thin, they will break when skewered.

Skewer each strip with a lollipop stick - hold the gelatin gently at the sides, and insert the stick almost all the way to the top. Place on a non-stick cookie sheet and chill until ready to serve!
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