Whether or not you like actual candy corn, you’re going to love these candy corn jello cups! With layers of fruity jello, and a dollop of whipped cream on top, they’re easy on the wallet and easy to make.
They’re so fun and festive, they’re perfect for any Halloween party or get together with the kids. So grab your mixing bowl and let’s get started!
Why you’ll love these Candy Corn Jello Cups
- They’re so cute! Perfect for Halloween parties or fall get-togethers.
- The ingredients are super cheap, so they’re budget friendly.
- You can make ahead this clever little dessert giving you time for other things.
- They’re so tasty! The combination of fruity flavors with whipped cream is irresistible.
What You’ll Need:
Ingredients:
- Pineapple jello
- Orange jello
- Water
- Whipped cream
- Candy corn
Supplies:
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Liquid measuring cup
- 5.5 ounce plastic cups
- Tray or muffin tin
How to Make Candy Corn Jello Cups (Step-by-Step Directions):
To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Step 1 – In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the pineapple jello. Continue whisking until all the jello mixture is dissolved.
Step 2 – Add 2 cups of cold water. Stir to combine.
Step 3 – Transfer the jello mixture to a heat safe liquid measuring cup. Place plastic cups on a tray or muffin tin and then fill the cups about 1/3 full with the pineapple jello. You may have some jello mixture left over.
Step 4 – Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 3 hours.
Step 5 – Boil 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat, and whisk in the orange jello. Continue whisking until all the jello mixture is dissolved.
Step 6 – Add 2 cups of cold water. Stir to combine. Let the orange jello cool for 5-10 minutes. (Long enough to cool off, but not long enough to set up)
Step 7 – Pour the orange jello evenly on top of the yellow jello layer, filling the cups as much as possible. You may have some orange jello mixture left over.
Step 8 – Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for another 3 hours. When you’re ready to serve, top with whipped cream and garnish with a piece of candy corn.
Essential Tips:
Don’t skip these tips – read them before baking to avoid any potential mistakes.
- You can use the directions for the “speed-set method” on the side of the box to make these jello cups a bit faster. Just make sure that your first layer is well set before adding the next one, otherwise, the different jello flavors will blend together and you won’t get those pretty layers.
- Add your plastic cups or molds to a tray before filling them. This way you can easily move everything to the fridge with less spilling.
- If you want the cups to look more like actual candy corn, use slightly less yellow jello on the bottom and a thick layer of orange on top. But you can also use equal layers if you want to have less leftover yellow jello. It’s totally up to you.
- Get more jello cups and make smaller portion sizes by using 1 or 2-ounce plastic cups instead.
- The cups with the lids are great if you want to make these treats in advance or keep them stacked in the refrigerator. Just remember to leave the lids off during the setting period. The lids hold the heat in and make the jello take longer to cool down and set up.
Want to avoid spending hours on end preparing food for your party? Click here to download 10 Fast and Easy Party Recipes that don’t take more than 20 minutes of your time to prepare.
Adaptations and Variations
Want to put your own spin on these treats? Here are a few ideas!
- While these jello cups are supposed to be reminiscent of candy corn, you can use this method with other colors and ingredients if you wish. Change the flavors of the jello and make spooky jello shots. Green, black, reds, etc.
- Why try different toppings like sprinkles, candy pumpkins, or Halloween Peeps?
- While you can use plastic or inedible props for decoration just be careful when serving to children and remind them not to eat them.
- You can make this with sugar-free jello if you need to, making it a great dessert for diabetics or those who are watching their carb intake.
When to Serve Candy Corn Jello Cups:
There are so many occasions that you could serve these cute Halloween treats. Here are my suggestions:
- Halloween parties for kids
- Class parties
- Afternoon snacks
- Little Pumpkin Parties
- Add a lid and send it as a lunchbox snack
FAQs:
Can I use lemon jello instead of pineapple?
Yes, we tested this and both flavor combinations tasted similar to each other. However, we found that the pineapple jello looks better because it is a lighter, brighter, clearer color.
Can I make the jello in the microwave instead of stovetop?
Yes! Add 1 cup water to a large microwave safe liquid measuring cup (at least 4 cups in size). Microwave for 2-3 minutes until boiling. Add jello powder, whisk until dissolved, then add remaining cold water.
Can I make an adult-only version of these candy corn jello shots??
Sure you can! These will look great at a Halloween party for adults. Simply swap out 1/2 cup of cold water in each jello flavor for your favorite clear alcohol. Vodka is the classic choice, but you can also use rum if you prefer.
Serving these at a Party?
Don’t forget to add some cute Halloween printables to label your jello cups and make your party look spectacular! I have a ton of ideas in my printables shop with some especially cute designs for Halloween.
Storage Tips/Freezing, Etc.
Candy corn jello cups need to be refrigerated until they are ready to use, but you should avoid adding the whipped cream until you’re ready to serve.
Store any leftover jello cups in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
(You can technically freeze the jello shots without whipped cream, but it will change the consistency and texture of the jello so I don’t recommend it.)
If you liked my Candy Corn Jello Cups recipe, you’re going to love my Eyeball Jello Shots (they’re non-alcoholic!). It’s another fun and spooky make-ahead recipe for your Halloween party that the kids will love. Or you can check out my other Halloween ideas here.
Candy Corn Jello Cups
Candy corn jello cups are a fun, easy, and tasty make-ahead Halloween party treat that's perfect for kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 2 (3 oz.) boxes of pineapple jello
- 2 (3 oz.) boxes of orange jello
- 8 cups water, divided
- Whipped cream for topping
- Candy corn for topping
Instructions
- Place the plastic cups onto a baking sheet, or into the cups of a muffin tin, set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the pineapple jello. Continue whisking until all the jello mixture is dissolved.
- Add 2 cups of cold water. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the jello mixture to a heat safe liquid measuring cup, and pour into the jello cups. Fill the plastic cups about 1/3 full with the pineapple jello. You may have some jello mixture left over.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for 3 hours.
- Boil 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat, and whisk in the orange jello. Continue whisking until all the jello mixture is dissolved.
- Add 2 cups of cold water. Stir to combine. Let the orange jello cool for 5 minutes. (Long enough to cool off, but not long enough to set up)
- Pour the orange jello evenly on top of the yellow jello layer, filling the cups as much as possible. You may have some orange jello mixture left over.
- Move the cups to the refrigerator to chill for another 3 hours. When you're ready to serve, top with whipped cream and garnish with a piece of candy corn.
Notes
Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.
- You can use the directions for the “speed-set method” on the side of the box to make these jello cups a bit faster. Just make sure that your first layer is well set before adding the next one, otherwise, the different jello flavors will blend together and you won’t get those pretty layers.
- Add your plastic cups or molds to a tray before filling them. This way you can easily move everything to the fridge with less spilling.
- If you want the cups to look more like actual candy corn, use slightly less yellow jello on the bottom and a thick layer of orange on top. But you can also use equal layers if you want to have less leftover yellow jello. It’s totally up to you.
- Get more jello cups and make smaller portion sizes by using 1 or 2-ounce plastic cups instead.
- The cups with the lids are great if you want to make these treats in advance or keep them stacked in the refrigerator. Just remember to leave the lids off during the setting period. The lids hold the heat in and make the jello take longer to cool down and set up.
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