Once the holidays come around, these chilled RumChata Pudding Shots become my husband and I's favorite boozy dessert! Their creamy filling and fluffy whipped cream topping make every spoonful a wonderful treat for Christmas and New Year.
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These easy pudding shots are a huge hit at every holiday gathering we throw. How could they not be? They're even topped with crunchy gold sugar crystals to make them look extra fancy! Best of all, they're a no-cook recipe that's ready in minutes. My husband says they're "the definition of dessert in a shot."
For more cocktail-like delicious recipes, try my Slow Cooker Mulled Wine, Easy Raspberry Moscow Mule and Sparkling Strawberry Moscow Mule. They’re perfect for holiday parties. Now, let’s mix up these creamy pudding shots!
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Why You’ll Love This RumChata Pudding Shots Recipe
This pudding shot recipe is a fun, boozy twist on silky vanilla pudding and RumChata! It's the perfect addition to any grown-up holiday gathering.
Super fast: Ready to chill in just 15 minutes.
No-cook and no-bake: Effortless prep and assembly for convenience.
Versatile: Swap the pudding flavor or add more toppings for variety.
Make-ahead: Assemble the shot cups in advance and serve when your guests arrive.
Perfect portion size: The 2 oz shot cups are ideal for tasting, sharing, or serving as a fun party dessert.
Festive and visually stunning: Whipped cream swirls and decorative toppings make these holiday pudding shots look as good as they taste.
Ingredients and Substitutions
These creamy cocktail-like dessert cups come together with simple ingredients for a smooth, indulgent treat! Scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe with ingredient amounts.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: It creates a thick base. Use your favorite brand.
- Cold milk: Whole milk provides more richness. 2% or plant-based milk works too.
- RumChata liqueur: Adds a cinnamon-vanilla flavor.
- Whipped cream: Homemade whipped cream, Cool Whip, or any whipped topping is great for this.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds warm spice. Cinnamon is a good alternative.
- Golden sugar crystals: Edible glitter is fine, or skip it altogether.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make RumChata Pudding Shots
These boozy vanilla pudding shots are a breeze to whip up for your next party! Mix, fold, and chill for an easy drink-dessert combo that everyone loves.
- Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk. Use a hand mixer on low speed to whisk the mixture until smooth and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all the pudding mix is fully blended.
- Step 2: Slowly pour the RumChata liqueur into the bowl while continuing to mix on low speed. Mix just until the liqueur is completely incorporated and the texture becomes slightly thicker. The pudding should be smooth, creamy, and lightly fragrant with RumChata’s cinnamon-vanilla aroma.
- Step 3: Turn off the mixer and switch to a spatula. Gently fold in 8 oz of whipped cream (one full tub) until the pudding mixture becomes light, fluffy, and evenly blended.
- Step 4: Arrange 2 oz shot cups on a tray or flat surface. Spoon or pipe the pudding mixture into each cup, filling about three-quarters full. Smooth the tops if needed. Place the filled cups in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes, or until the pudding firms up.
5. Step 5: Once the pudding has set, pipe or spoon the remaining 4 oz of whipped cream onto each pudding shot.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle your choice of topping, ground nutmeg, golden sugar crystals, or any decorative topping you like, over the whipped cream.
Variations
These velvety RumChata pudding shots are super easy to switch up depending on who's coming over! Try these yummy twists throughout the holiday season:
Chocolate rumchata pudding shots: Use instant chocolate pudding mix as a base, and dust the pudding shots with cocoa powder for a chocolatey variation.
Coconut rumchata pudding shots: Use coconut milk (instead of whole milk), and sprinkle the pudding shots with toasted coconut for a tropical variation.
Fall RumChata pudding shots: Swap the vanilla pudding for pumpkin spice pudding mix and top with ground cinnamon.
White chocolate RumChata pudding shots: Use white chocolate pudding mix for the mixture and top with chopped white chocolate.
Cheesecake RumChata pudding shots: Use cheesecake instant pudding mix and top with crumbled cookies.
Festive Holiday RumChata Pudding Shots: Add a touch of nutmeg or golden sugar crystals on top for a sparkling, visually stunning presentation perfect for Christmas or New Year’s parties.
Mini Party-Friendly Shots: Serve in 2 oz cups for easy tasting, sharing, or layering different flavors in one tray for a fun and interactive dessert experience.
Serving Suggestions & Food Pairings for RumChata Pudding Shots
These indulgent RumChata-pudding cocktail shots are a festive treat for adult gatherings! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Serve with Slow Cooker Mulled Wine for a cozy pairing.
- Add to a dessert table with Chocolate Mousse Cups and 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Fudge for no-bake treats.
- Set next to a cookie board with White Chocolate Covered Oreos, Raspberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies, Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies, and Healthy Brownie Batter.
- Bring to gatherings along with my Chocolate Covered Pecans and Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites.
Storage Tips
Prepping this pudding shot recipe ahead or saving extras for later? Here’s how to keep it fresh and creamy:
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Add toppings before serving.
Freezer
Not recommended, as the pudding mixture will separate.
Top Tips for RumChata Pudding Shots
These simple tricks will ensure your RumChata pudding shots are perfect from the very first time you make them:
Use cold milk: It helps the instant pudding set quickly, so you don't need to chill the pudding shots for hours.
Change the toppings: Use graham cracker crumbs, chocolate shavings, crushed candy canes, or crushed cookies for more topping options.
Use chilled whipped cream: It gives the best folding results and a fluffier final texture.
Reduce clean-up: If you're hosting a large gathering, serve your pudding cups in disposable cups that you can pass around easily and then throw out once the night is over.
Make it less boozy: Reduce RumChata to ¼ cup and compensate with ¾ cup extra milk.
Larger servings: Double or triple the recipe as needed and serve the pudding shots in 3-oz cups.
Add a festive touch: Sprinkle nutmeg, cinnamon, or golden sugar crystals on top for a holiday-ready look and a touch of cozy flavor.
Make ahead for convenience: Prepare the pudding base a day in advance and fold in whipped cream just before serving to save time while keeping it fresh and creamy.
FAQs
Here’s what other RumChata lovers and holiday party planners are asking about these sweet vanilla pudding shots!
Yes! Use less RumChata and more milk for a milder version.
Absolutely! Try white chocolate, cheesecake, pumpkin spice, or chocolate pudding.
Yes! Prepare the base a day ahead and add toppings right before serving.
Check the liqueur section in your local grocery store.
Of course! Skip the RumChata, substituting it for whole milk for a family-friendly pudding "shots."
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this RumChata Pudding Shots:
These creamy RumChata pudding shots are our favorite way to toast the holiday season! Share your creations on social media with Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more delicious recipes and recipe cards!
Easy RumChata Pudding Shots with Vanilla Pudding
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
- Silicon Spatula
- Whisk
- Piping Bag & Clamp
- Star Nozzle Tip
- 2 oz Shot Cups
Ingredients
Pudding Base
- 1 full box 3.5 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 cup RumChata liqueur
- 8 oz whipped cream Cool Whip for folding into pudding
Toppings
- 4 oz whipped cream
- Ground nutmeg or Golden sugar crystals optional
Serving
- 2 oz shot cups
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on low speed to whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth.
- Gradually pour in the RumChata, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. The mixture will thicken slightly.
- Turn off the mixer and gently fold in 8 oz whipped cream with a spatula until the pudding becomes light, fluffy, and creamy.
- Place 2 oz shot cups on a tray. Spoon or pipe the pudding mixture into each cup, filling about ¾ full.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until the pudding is set.
- Pipe or spoon the remaining 4 oz whipped cream on top of each pudding shot. I prefer filling the whipped cream in a piping bag fitted with star nozzle tip.
- Sprinkle your choice of topping, ground nutmeg, golden sugar crystals, or any decorative topping you like. You can use one topping for all the cups, or divide them (for example, half with nutmeg and half with golden sugar crystals) for variety.
- Arrange the pudding shots on a tray and keep chilled until serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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