These colorful birthday cake pudding shots are delicious little cups of vodka-infused pudding. Topped with sprinkles, this cake-flavored birthday shot is a cool & creamy adults-only treat that's ideal for celebrating a milestone birthday (or ANY birthday 21+)...
Birthday Cake Pudding Shots
I could be way off, but I'm guessing you came here looking for birthday shot ideas. Which I also assume means you're probably getting ready to celebrate a birthday.
So... HAPPY BIRTHDAY — let's celebrate!!
And what more perfect way to celebrate a milestone birthday (or ANY birthday 21+) than a birthday cake shot?! We're not talking just any old jello shot recipe, either...
Yep, I'm back with a NEW variety of PUDDING SHOTS for you all — delicious birthday cake pudding shots!!!
This birthday shot recipe tastes JUST like a classic birthday cake, minus the vanilla frosting. AND these birthday shots are especially fun and festive. All thanks to a sprinkle of colorful funfetti rainbow nonpareils!
Yeah, yeah, I know I usually keep my pudding shots a little more basic. But birthdays are special occasions! And I say they call for something a little more FUN and lively... So funfetti pudding shots it is. Let's get to it!
"What a fun recipe!"
These are absolutely delicious and super creative! Will definitely be making again!
Birthday Cake Shot Ingredients
You may have already noticed that my pudding shot recipes all follow a loose formula. Equal parts of a creamy liqueur, flavored vodka, and milk get mixed with Jell-O instant pudding. Then you fold in some Cool Whip whipped topping.
With this base recipe, I mix and match different flavors to come up with the best pudding shots for a given recipe idea. And sometimes I'll add an extra ingredient or two, as necessary.
And this birthday cake shot recipe is no exception!
You'll want to grab these ingredients for your next party:
- Baileys Almande almondmilk liqueur*
- Pinnacle cake vodka*
- 2 pkgs. of instant Jell-O vanilla pudding
- boxed yellow cake mix
- a 16-oz. container of Cool Whip
- milk (just in case you're out)
- funfetti rainbow nonpareils sprinkles
- 2-oz. plastic shot cups with lids (order your shot glasses online — they're much cheaper!)
*See substitution ideas below.
A few nice-to-have items to consider are:
- a medium cookie scoop (ideal for portioning out your pudding shots)
- a spoonula spatula (my fave for folding ingredients together)
- disposable plastic tasting spoons (makes eating frozen pudding shots less messy)
Tara's Tip: One-Stop Shopping
You won't be able to purchase the vodka at a regular grocery store, so I highly recommend hitting one that houses a state liquor agency inside. That way you can grab everything for these shots in one trip!
Birthday Shot Ingredient Substitutions
Some of the alcohol varieties I prefer for these birthday cake shots can be a bit difficult to track down. So I want to provide you with a few more options.
Like the Baileys Almande... Their website shows that it's not carried here in Ohio. But I found it sitting on the shelf at my local Meijer.
Skip the store locator and call ahead to see if your favorite grocery store carries it. It's definitely worth tracking down if you can!
Still can't find it? Your next best option is pairing the birthday cake vodka and white chocolate liqueur. Or yet another option is to use a cinnamon liqueur.
I recommend Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Chila 'Orchata, or RumChata in that order.
My reasoning? The white chocolate Godiva liqueur and Chila 'Orchata have a stronger vanilla flavor. This better complements the classic birthday cake flavor we're after.
RumChata is easier to find, but it has a more cinnamon-forward flavor. It's still VERY good in these cake shots, but it doesn't provide that spot-on birthday cake flavor.
BTW: if you love Rum Chata, you also need to try these RumChata shots STAT!!!
Other substitution ideas for this birthday shot recipe:
Vanilla vodka is very easy to find and a good substitute for cake-flavored vodka. And boxed white cake mix can be used in place of the yellow, if you prefer.
How To Make Birthday Cake Shots
One of the reasons I love these these birthday cake vodka pudding shots so much is that they're so EASY to make. This birthday cake pudding shots recipe can be ready to serve in a fraction of the time it takes to whip up an actual birthday cake!
Start by whisking together the 2 boxes of vanilla instant pudding mix and a half cup of the yellow cake mix. Then whisk in one cup Baileys Almande and one cup milk. Finally, stir in the cake vodka.
From here it's all about the folding... Fold in the Cool Whip into the jello mixture until well combined — but don't overdo it. You want the birthday cake pudding shot mix to remain fluffy.
I like to use one of these spoonula spatulas for this purpose. It makes it easy to scrape the bottom and get every last bit mixed in. I'd say it's actually the most used spatula in my kitchen — well worth the money!
Once combined, you're ready to divide the birthday jello shots mixture into cups. These little pudding shot cups come with lids and are the perfect size for each shot.
This is where that medium cookie scoop I mentioned earlier comes in. It's the simplest way to portion out pudding shots!
One big scoop, plus a little extra dab on top, is just enough to fill the cup while still leaving some room for expansion when we freeze the shots...
Best Way To Serve Birthday Cake Pudding Shots
Wait, can you freeze pudding shots? Yes, and it's actually my preferred way to serve them. But they also keep well in the refrigerator, and you can also serve them freshly made. It's all good!
If you want to top these birthday cake pudding shots with rainbow sprinkles, now is the time to add them. Sprinkle them on before placing the lids on the shots or right before serving. This way the colors don't bleed together...
I learned this the hard way the first time I made them! As soon as I stirred the sprinkles into the pudding shot mix, the colors all ran together throughout the mix.
Let's just say they were NOT the pretty funfetti shots I imagined. But they WERE still tasty!
Birthday Shots With Candles Frosting And Sprinkles
You don't really NEED to top these birthday shots with anything. Their cake shot flavor can stand alone, but a few colorful jimmies or nonpareils are a festive touch.
Or you can go full-on birthday mode with sprinkles, some Reddi-wip "frosting", AND candles on top!
A word of caution, though... Top with whipped cream ONLY if you're serving these birthday pudding shots immediately. Whipped cream starts to melt and break down very quickly. Of course they'll still TASTE great — they just won't look as nice for very long.
Either way, they're sure to be a HUGE HIT with the birthday girl or birthday boy AND all your guests. Enjoy!
Printable Recipe ↓
Birthday Cake Pudding Shots
Ingredients
- 2 (3.4-ounce) packages vanilla instant pudding mix
- ½ cup yellow cake mix
- 1 cup milk - cold
- 1 cup Baileys Almande almondmilk liqueur
- 1 cup Pinnacle cake vodka
- 1 (16-ounce) container Cool Whip whipped topping - thawed
- rainbow nonpareils sprinkles - for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Using an electric hand mixer, whisk together the instant pudding mix, cake mix, milk, and Baileys Almande in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Stir the vodka into the pudding mixture. With a silicone spoonula, fold in the Cool Whip until well combined.
- Divide mixture into 2-oz. plastic cups with lids using a medium cookie scoop, leaving some room for expansion.
- Refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.
- Garnish with rainbow nonpareils sprinkles right before serving, optional.
Recipe Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
I hope this yummy birthday cake shot recipe makes YOUR next birthday party extra memorable...
Below are a few FAQs that I'm often asked about these cake batter flavored shots. Don't see your question listed here? Leave a comment below and I will respond ASAP!
Um, well, I've never exactly tested this — because I've honestly never had leftovers, LOL. My estimate is that they'll keep well for roughly 5-7 days in the fridge and for up to 3 months in the freezer.
My pudding shots recipes use Cool Whip in the base, so they don't need any time to set up. Serve them immediately after mixing, after refrigerating, or after freezing.
You can freeze pudding shots. In fact, it's my favorite way to serve them! And it makes it super easy to transport them to parties. Just throw them in a cooler filled with ice and you're good for the night.
More Pudding Shot Recipes
If you like this birthday cake shots recipe, I'm certain you'll also LOVE these other best pudding shot recipes:
- Basic Chocolate Pudding Shots (the original recipe that started the craze!)
- Cinnamon Vanilla RumChata Pudding Shots (for those of you that dislike chocolate — gasp!)
- White Russian Pudding Shots (a delicious twist on your fave white Russian cocktail!)
- Pumpkin Pie Pudding Shots (pin this one NOW for fall!)
- Birthday Cake Pudding Shots (ideal for celebrating a milestone birthday — or ANY birthday 21+!)
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your pudding shots turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Savannah says
What should I use if they discontinued the Baileys? I've looked it up and it was discontinued in 2021.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Savannah! It's still listed on their website, so I don't think it's been discontinued. But if you can't find it in your area, you could just use the regular Baileys variety. There's also a Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon variety. I haven't tried it, but they call for it in the birthday cake shot recipe on their website, so I'd imagine it would work well also.
Niki says
What about bourbon cream instead of Bailey’s?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes, any creamy liqueur like this should work!
Jacklyn says
I doubt this will get seen in time but I’m making this for a birthday party for my friends 21st are these on the sweeter and if so, would anyone be against adding a little bit of vanilla birthday cake flavoring to them to enhance the sweetness or cake taste or is that too much?
Tara Kuczykowski says
They’re pretty sweet and taste very cake-like as is. But you can just give them a taste before freezing and add a little flavoring if you think it needs more!
Sam says
Hi! I can’t find the pinnacle cake vodka anywhere, what kind can I use instead? Does the pinnacle whipped cream taste the same or should I do something different?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Sam! Wonder if it's because that alcohol shortage I've been reading about lately... :( I think the Pinnacle Whipped or Vanilla would both be good substitutes!
Jacklyn says
@Tara Kuczykowski, same issue here over a year later still no cake vodka I wonder if they discontinued it Pennsylvania doesn’t even sell it as a whole but I’m definitely going to try the vanilla or the whipped if anyone has any preference on which is better!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Not sure - they do still have it on their website! I think I’d probably go with the vanilla if you can’t find it.
Kayla says
I only purchased the cake vodka no Baileys. Do I have to use a cream liquor can I just add more cake vodka instead?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Kayla! I've never made them without the Bailey's, but I suspect that the pudding needs some milk/cream to help it set up. If you don't want to make another trip for Bailey's, I'd suggest replacing it with half milk and half vodka. Again, I've not tried this, though, and it will likely change the flavor somewhat.
Madelin says
Hi! Could I substitute normal baileys for the almondmilk baileys? I called around to a few different liquor stores and none of them have it!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Madelin — yes, you can absolutely substitute regular Bailey's if you can't find it. They will still be delicious. Enjoy!
Joanne Renaud says
The recipe is so easy to make I actually made it with home made whip cream,however it’s a bit strong. I would try using 3/4 cup of the vodka not a cup. I made it for my daughter in laws 30th birthday party and even the young people said it was on the strong side but thought it was so delicious.
Pamela says
I love everything funfetti with sprinkles so these are the cutest!
Lyn says
These were such a fun idea and so easy to pull together!
Suzy says
These are such a great idea! Love how simple they are to make too!
kim says
What a fun recipe! These are absolutely delicious and super creative! Will definitely be making again!
Rachael Yerkes says
This is the cutest idea ever! These are so much fun!
Pam says
What an awesome idea! There's no reason the kids should have all the fun.
Tonje says
This is such a cute idea! Perfect for a birthday party!
Linda says
Yay for being over 21! I'd never tried these kind of shots before but now that I have I'm kinda hooked on them. I can't wait to experiment with different flavors and serve some for my husband's upcoming birthday.
wilhelmina says
These are so fun and delicious! The perfect way to get the party started!
wilhelmina says
So fun, so yummy, what's not to love?