July 4 Fruit Skewers and Jello-O Shots

Two fun ideas for July 4^th!

Fruit skewers: Just used a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and bananas to make skewers in the pattern of the American Flag!

The jello shots: Made these for my kids for July 4^th! For the red and blue layers, used the speed set box instructions for making jello, and used real  herries. Learned to make sure to wait at least 20 min for the jello liquid to cool before pouring onto the next layer or else it will seep into the next layer. To speed set the jello, combined ¾ cup of hot water with the jello powder to dissolve, and then added 1 cup of cold water to the mixture.

July 4^th Firecracker Shots (~from At the picket fence)

Ingredients

·        1-1/3 cups boiling water, divided

·        1 package (3 oz.) JELL-O Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin

·        1 package (3 oz.) JELL-O Cherry Flavor Gelatin

·        1 envelope KNOX Unflavored Gelatine

·        1 cup milk, divided

·        3 Tbsp. sugar

·        1/2 tsp. vanilla

·        20 maraschino cherries with stems, well drained, patted dry

Instructions

·        ADD 2/3 cup boiling water to berry gelatin mix in small bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Repeat with cherry gelatin mix. Cool.

·        MEANWHILE, sprinkle unflavored gelatine over 1/4 cup milk in medium bowl; let stand 5 min. Bring remaining milk to boil in saucepan. Remove

·        from heat; stir in sugar and vanilla. Add to plain gelatine mixture; stir until gelatine is completely dissolved. Cool 10 min.

·        SPOON berry gelatin into 20 (1-oz.) plastic shot glasses sprayed lightly with cooking spray, adding about 2 tsp. to each. Refrigerate 15 min. or

·        until set but not firm.

·        TOP with unflavored gelatin mixture, adding about 2 tsp. to each cup. Refrigerate 10 min. Insert cherry, stem end up, into white gelatin layer

·        in each cup. Refrigerate 2 min.

·        COVER with cherry gelatin, adding about 2 tsp. to each cup. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.

·        Remove from cups before serving.

·        Here’s two fabulous “adult” versions that will REALLY make these firecrackers pop!!

·        Adults Only alcoholic Variation: Prepare as directed, reducing the boiling water to 1 cup and dissolving each of the berry and cherry gelatin mixes in 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir 1/4 cup vodka into each flavor of gelatin, then continue as directed.

·        Spiked Cherries Adults Only Variation: Place cherries in a glass jar. Add 1/2 cup vodka; cover with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate at least 2 hours; drain. Pat dry, then use as directed.