Christmas Chocolate Kahlua Baileys

These Christmas Chocolate Kahlua & Baileys Pudding Shots are the ultimate festive party treat, ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking or baking required. Perfect for any holiday gathering, these creamy, boozy shots deliver the rich flavors of chocolate pudding blended with Kahlua and Baileys for an unforgettable adult dessert experience. Whether you need an easy make ahead sweet or a show stopping addition to your Christmas cocktail spread, these pudding shots always impress guests and spark holiday cheer.

I first made these chocolate Kahlua Baileys pudding shots for a Christmas cocktail party when I needed something festive but stress free. The combination of cool, creamy pudding and the cheerful kick of coffee and Irish cream liqueur made them an instant hit with everyone. Guests asked for the recipe before the night was over, and the Red Velvet Baileys version became my signature holiday dessert, inspiring all kinds of customizations and party traditions ever since.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Red Velvet Baileys or Baileys Irish Cream: Adds a distinct festive color and smooth creamy taste, use any Baileys variety or substitute with a similar cream liqueur for different flavors
• Kahlua coffee liqueur: Brings in rich coffee undertones that complement the chocolate, espresso vodka works as a stronger alternative
• JELLO Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix (3.4 oz): The foundation for a quick setting dessert, choose instant for best results and experiment with other pudding flavors for variation
• Cold milk: Essential for activating the pudding, use very cold milk to help it set properly, dairy free alternatives may alter the texture
• Cool Whip, thawed: Creates the mousse like texture, ensure it is fully thawed in the fridge for smooth folding without lumps, light or homemade whipped topping can be used
• Christmas sprinkles for garnish: Adds that festive holiday appearance, use red and green for Christmas or switch to other colors for different holidays
• Small plastic shot cups with lids: Makes serving and transporting easy, use glass dessert dishes for a more elegant presentation

How to Make Christmas Chocolate Kahlua & Baileys Pudding Shots

Prepare the pudding base:

In a medium bowl, whisk the chocolate instant pudding mix with cold milk for about 2 minutes until it becomes thick but still pourable. This step ensures the pudding begins to set with the right texture before adding liqueurs, which prevents it from becoming too runny.

Add the liqueurs:

Pour in the Red Velvet Baileys and Kahlua, whisking thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended. The alcohol will loosen the pudding, creating a silky, pourable chocolate base with rich coffee and cream notes.

Fold in the Cool Whip:

Add the thawed Cool Whip and gently fold it into the pudding mixture with a rubber spatula using a figure eight motion until fully combined with no white streaks. This step gives the shots their signature light and airy mousse quality, which makes them irresistible.

Fill the shot cups:

Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, fill each shot cup about three quarters full, leaving space for garnish. Tap each cup gently on the counter to settle the mixture and release any trapped air bubbles, ensuring an even fill.

Garnish and chill:

Sprinkle festive Christmas sprinkles on top, then seal each cup with its lid. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour until set. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up, delivering a perfect creamy consistency at serving time.

I learned through trial and error that adding the alcohol after mixing the pudding with cold milk prevents any curdling, which keeps the texture perfectly smooth. This simple adjustment ensures the pudding shots have no strange graininess and instead offer a consistent creamy bite every time. Discovering festive sprinkles that matched my holiday table made these shots even more visually appealing and fun to serve.

Smart Swaps and Variations

If you do not have Red Velvet Baileys on hand, try regular Baileys or experiment with flavors like Salted Caramel, Vanilla Cinnamon, or even RumChata for a unique twist. Swap in white chocolate pudding mix for a lighter color, or use espresso vodka instead of Kahlua to boost the coffee flavor. Toppings can range from crushed candy canes for crunch to edible glitter for an extra festive effect, allowing you to customize these shots for any holiday theme or personal taste.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Chocolate Kahlua & Baileys Pudding Shots

Refrigerate pudding shots in sealed plastic shot cups for up to 3 days, ensuring they stay fresh and the flavors continue to meld. For longer storage, freeze for up to 1 month; just let them thaw in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to reach the ideal soft, spoonable texture. Never heat these shots, as the alcohol and dairy components will not tolerate warming, but serving them straight from the refrigerator or slightly frozen gives the best results every time.

What to Serve with Christmas Chocolate Kahlua & Baileys Pudding Shots

Pair these pudding shots with other festive favorites like Christmas cookies, peppermint bark, or a fresh fruit platter to create a dessert table that appeals to every guest. Serve them alongside a hot chocolate bar as an adult only treat, or use candy cane stirrers for a decorative and interactive presentation. These shots work especially well as an after dinner dessert at cocktail parties, complementing coffee or holiday drinks and ensuring everyone enjoys a sweet, memorable ending to the evening.

Nutritional Benefits

While these Christmas pudding shots are a decadent treat, their small portion size helps with calorie control and makes them lighter than standard holiday cakes or pies. They provide a modest amount of calcium from the dairy ingredients, and you can easily lighten the recipe by using lower fat milk and whipped topping. Each serving contains about 250 calories, so you can enjoy a sweet, festive dessert without overindulging, especially when served as part of a balanced holiday menu.

Recipe Success Tips

If your pudding turns out runny, check that the milk and bowl were properly chilled and that you whisked until slightly thick before adding liqueurs. For a perfectly smooth texture, use an electric mixer and sift the pudding mix to eliminate lumps before combining. If you want to get creative, layer the pudding with cookie crumbs or chocolate shavings for a parfait style effect, and always chill the shots until firm before serving for best results at holiday parties.

These Christmas Chocolate Kahlua & Baileys Pudding Shots have become my signature dessert, loved for both their festive flair and creamy, boozy delight. Make a batch for your next gathering, and you are sure to become the hit of every holiday party.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ Can I use regular Baileys instead of Red Velvet?

Yes, regular Baileys works perfectly and delivers delicious results. Red Velvet Baileys simply provides a deeper flavor, but any Baileys variety will blend smoothly with the chocolate pudding base.

→ How far ahead can I make pudding shots?

You can prepare the pudding shots up to two days in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Add sprinkles just before serving for best texture.

→ Can I freeze pudding shots?

Yes, pudding shots can be frozen for up to one week. They’ll have a firmer, almost ice-cream-like texture straight from the freezer. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before enjoying.

→ Are these pudding shots suitable for kids?

No, these pudding shots contain alcohol from both Baileys and Kahlua and are intended only for adults. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute milk or non-alcoholic creamers.

→ What’s the best way to serve them at a party?

Serve chilled in individual shot glasses or small cups. Garnish each with whipped topping and a sprinkle of festive decorations just before serving to keep them fresh and visually appealing.