Key Lime Pie Jello Shots

The weather is getting warmer, the shorts are getting shorter, and all I can think is, "Summer is on its way!" One of my favorite things about the nicer weather is going to lots of picnics and outdoor parties with friends. I always looked forward to those outings as a kid and would usually save a lot of room for the giant dessert table full of summery sugary treats. Key Lime Pie is a dessert that makes me think of those summer picnics, and I thought my adult self would really enjoy it in a jello shot format as well. Turns out I was right!

Key Lime Pie Jello Shots, makes 12.

For the crust:
2/3 cup crushed graham crackers
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons sugar

For the jello:
1 cup vanilla vodka
1 small box of lime Jell-O
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup half and half

Preheat your oven to 325°. Take your graham crackers and blend them in the food processor until they are fine crumbs. Mix your sugar into the crumbs. Then pour your melted butter in slowly while stirring.

Lightly coat the inside and bottom of a mini cheesecake pan

(the kind where the bottoms pop out) with cooking spray. Spoon your mixture evenly into each compartment. Use your fingers to press the crumbs down into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes in the oven. Then let them completely cool.

Heat your vodka in a small pan over medium heat. Once the liquid starts to simmer, slowly whisk in your Jell-O. Once all the Jell-O has dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and pour in the milk and half and half. Stir to combine.

Place your pan of cooled graham cracker crusts on a flat baking sheet (to catch any leaking jello), and pour the jello evenly into each compartment. Quickly place in the refrigerator and let sit for 2 hours until set. Once set, push up from the bottom of each compartment to free your jello shots, and you're ready to serve!

These little guys look adorable, but even better, they taste delicious!! The graham cracker crust isn't a crispy dry crust like you might get in a baked pie since you pour the wet liquid on top, but it still tastes so good with the lime and totally gives you that pie feeling. I can definitely see serving these at an outdoor summer party, but whatever occasion you choose, I think they'll be a hit! xo. Laura

Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.