Pot-O-Gold Jell-O Shots

Inspired by The Jelly Shot Test Kitchen {http://jelly-shot-test-kitchen.blogspot.com/} the Bunco girls were the lucky taste testers of my inaugeral attempt at Jello shots.

{Displayed on a layer of festive green ice to keep chilled}

½ cup vodka

½ cup Midori liqueur

½ cup sweet & sour mix*

½ cup 7up

2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin**

yellow sugar sprinkles, optional

gold mini muffin cups, optional

1. Lightly grease desired molds or a loaf pan, then wipe clean.  A light film will remain, just enough to remove gelatin with ease.

2. Combine 7up and sweet & sour in saucepan on stove.  Sprinkle with gelatin and allow to sit for several minutes.

3. Heat over very low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is fully dissolved ~5 mintues.

4. Remove from heat.  Add the vodka and Midori (I like to do this in a large measuring up for easy pouring into molds.)

5. Pour into molds or loaf pan and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.

6. When set, carefully unmold, or cut into desired size squares.

7. Just before serving, place into gold cups, smear Midori over the top of each and sprinkle with yellow sugar sprinkles. (The Midori helps the sugar stick to the top.)

I used a silicone ice cube mold for 15 I picked up from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

*Alternatively you can use a lemon syrup (50/50 mix of frozen lemonade concentrate and water OR combine 2 lemons cut into small wedges, ½ cup sugar, 3/4 cup water in a sauce pan over medium heat.  Stir occasionally until sugar is fully dissolved and mixture begins to bubble.)

**I haven't experimented with lime Jell-O, but it would blend nicely with the flavor of the Midori.

The Cat Hat in the Hat Parfait

Tonight The Cat in the Hat came back to our house.  Inspired by a simple yet clever little idea from preschool, we celebrated Dr. Seuss' 107th birthday late at our house with these gone-in-a-flash desserts.

1 box red Jell-O (cherry, strawberry, raspberry, etc.)

Cool Whip*

red sprinkles

clear glasses

1. Prepare Jell-O as directed on the package and allow to set completely.

2. Using a spoon, break up Jell-O until it is a crumbled mess in the bowl.

3. Line bottom of glass with a thin layer of Cool Whip.  Spoon on a layer of crumbled Jell-O, top with another layer of Cool Whip, then a second layer of Jello-O, and finish with a third layer of Cool Whip.  Top with red sprinkles as a finishing touch just before serving.

I was able to yield three glasses {pictured above} from one small box of Jell-O.  The portion was huge for all three of us, so if I were making it for a group of children I would use much smaller cups.

*You can substitute Redi Whip, but I find that Redi Whip runs quickly and does not hold up in the in between layers.  Finishing with Redi Whip on top, however, will give it more of a hat look if desired.