How to prevent jello shots from leaking

[lochan]

I recently made a batch of jello shots using 1 oz little paper cups and a lot of the jello mixture leaked right through the cups b/c they were more permeable than I thought. A little more than half remained and solidified in the cups.

I still have about 100 of these little paper cups left and I want to use them for another batch of jello shots.

Does anyone have a solution for sealing the cups so that they don't leak again? (I don't want to use plastic cups b/c they'll just sit in a landfill...)

Maybe a coat of PAM on the outside?

[C. Hamster]

"Maybe a coat of PAM on the outside?"

Your guests may be unpleasantly surpised by this ...

[lochan]

Haha yeah that thought occurred to me. Greasy fingers.

[mojoeater]

what proportions are you using and what alcohol?

[lochan]

Yes, I'd like to use the cups I already have....

When the jell-o recipe on the box calls for water, I use vodka instead.

[janetms383]

When I make jello shots, I use the hot water called for and replace only the cold water with the vodka. Yowza, you're making strong shots!! That may be why they're leaking.

Are your paper cups the ones with the pleated sides and rolled edge? That's what I use and don't experience leaking.

[lochan]

Oops, I meant I use hot water and I replace the cold water with vodka!
I'm pretty sure my cups are not meant for liquids...more like little samples at food stands. I'm trying to think of a quick trick to keep the liquid in there from leaking.

[janetms383]

do they look like this? This is what I used. I put the vodka in the freezer so it's very cold. I let the hot mixture cool off, add the frozen vodka. I use a big measure cup and just pour into the paper cups. I like this kind of cup because you can peel them back and get all the shot... the hard plastic ones are harder to eat from.

[mojoeater]

Absolutely chill the vodka first. The jello sets more quickly.

[lochan]

Yes janetms33 mine are like but slightly bigger.
I like the paper cups better too for the peeling back reason!
Great tips...I'll get everything as cool as possible.

[darklyglimmer]

It's been a looong time since I made Jell-o shots, but I seem to remember using the recipe for "jigglers," not for the regular Jell-o -- am I misremembering, or just plain wrong?

[lochan]

Update:
I cooled down the mixture and chilled the vodka before adding.
And I doubled the cups just in case...but found out that it wasn't necessary after all.
Thanks!

[janetms383]

now i want jello shots...

[dave_c]

you can try sturdier waxed paper cups... they look like small shot size Dixie cups.

If you're set on using the cups you've already purchased, you can firm or let the jello start to set baking dish and dish portions into the paper cups.