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Cozy up with creamy holiday cheer in every mini cup. These ginger snap eggnog pudding shots blend spiced rum, RumChata and eggnog into a velvety pudding layered over crispy ginger snap crumbs. Topped with whipped topping and a whole cookie, each shot is bursting with seasonal flavor. They’re surprisingly easy to make ahead for gatherings and look pretty served chilled in cute little shot cups.
These Christmas or holiday creamy eggnog pudding shots are a great way of getting any party started. They’re creamy, sweet and perfectly indulgent.
Also try eggnog tres leches cake, cranberry margaritas, pineapple hot toddies or prosecco punch. And these Nutter Butter reindeer cookies!
Why You’ll Love It
Creamy and boozy: Eggnog, rum and RumChata create a rich and indulgent dessert shot.
Crunchy layer: Ginger snap crumbs add texture and ginger spice.
Make ahead friendly: Assemble in advance and chill until time to serve.
Festive presentation: Perfect for holiday parties with cookie garnish on top.
Ginger Snap Pudding Shots Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ginger snap cookie crumbs: Provide a crisp spiced base layer in each shot.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Thickens into creamy eggnog-infused pudding.
Eggnog: Cold eggnog gives rich flavor and classic holiday notes.
RumChata: This horchata cream liqueur adds milky sweetness and cinnamon warmth.
Spiced rum: Layers bold spice and booze into the creamy blend.
Whipped topping: Lightens and smooths the pudding for final texture.
Ground nutmeg: Sprinkled into the mix for classic eggnog spice.
Ginger snap cookies: Garnish each shot for visual appeal and extra crunch.
How to Make Eggnog Pudding Shots
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix the pudding base: Whisk pudding mix with cold eggnog then stir in RumChata and spiced rum.
Fold in toppings: Blend in softened whipped topping and nutmeg.
Layer the shots: Spoon ginger snap crumbs into shot glasses (these are the shot glasses I used) and then add pudding mixture.
Garnish and chill: Top each with a whole ginger snap cookie and refrigerate until set.
Substitutions and Variations
Use different cookies: Try gingersnaps, cinnamon cookies or gluten free ginger cookies if needed.
Swap the liquor: Vanilla vodka or bourbon can replace spiced rum and RumChata. If you don’t want to use anything with eggs, you might prefer this Puerto Rican eggnog-like drink. It doesn’t have eggs in there but is very similar to eggnog.
Non-alcoholic version: Omit rum and use flavored milk plus extra whipped topping.
Gluten free option: Use gluten free pudding mix and certified gluten free cookie crumbs.
Serving Suggestions
With appetizers: Something festive like this Christmas tree charcuterie board or Thanksgiving charcuterie board would be good, or you could whip up these delicious ham and broccoli crescent cups.
With something sweet: Enjoy devil’s food cookies or gingersnap icebox cookies with your ginger snap eggnog pudding shots.
How to Store Gingersnap Eggnog Pudding Shots
Store: Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days. Just keep them covered with plastic wrap and don’t add the cookie on top until just before serving (else it will go soggy). If you are looking for make-ahead shooters, these are perfect.
Freeze: Don’t freeze these.
Top Tips
Chill all liquids first: Ensures pudding sets well.
Crush cookies finely: Gives a smooth base layer without large chunks.
Use small clear cups: They show off the layers beautifully.
Add the cookie garnish just before serving: Keeps it crisp and fresh.
Ginger Snap Eggnog Jello Pudding Shots FAQs
Yes, reduce rum or RumChata for milder flavor or replace with eggnog for non-boozy versions.
Absolutely, scale ingredients and use disposable shot glasses for easy serving.
You can normally use non-dairy milk alternatives with puddings but, when making shots with alcohol, that isn’t going to work. The reason is alcohol can hinder boozy pudding cups from setting and they will come out way too runny.
Another tip to make sure these set well is to pop the ingredients into the freezer for about 10 minutes before starting the recipe. At least chill the alcohol. The colder they are, the quicker the shots will set. Obviously don’t let any ingredients completely freeze. And do the opposite with the whipped topping, letting it thaw before use.
Ginger Snap Eggnog Jello Pudding Shots Recipe
Ginger Snap Eggnog Pudding Shots
Equipment
- 25 Shot Glasses 2-Ounce
Ingredients
- 1 Cup ginger snap cookie crumbs
- 1 Box vanilla instant pudding, 3.4-Ounce Box, such as Jello Vanilla Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
- ¾ Cup eggnog, cold, store-bought or homemade
- ½ Cup RumChata, or similar horchata cream
- ⅓ Cup spiced rum, chilled, such as Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- 8 Ounces whipped topping, thawed, such as Cool Whip
- ½ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 25 ginger snap cookies, whole
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and cold eggnog for about one minute, or until thickened. Add horchata cream liqueur and spiced rum. Whisk until smooth.
- Stir in defrosted whipped topping and ground nutmeg until fully incorporated. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.
- When ready to serve, spoon 2 teaspoons of crushed ginger snap cookies into each 2-ounce shot glass. Add about 3 tablespoons of pudding mixture over crumbs into each cup.
- Top with a whole ginger snap cookie.
Notes
Crush cookies finely: Gives a smooth base layer without large chunks.
Use small clear cups: They show off the layers beautifully.
Add the cookie garnish just before serving: Keeps it crisp and fresh.
Nutrition
It’s so easy to put these boozy pudding cups together, and you can even make them days in advance. These eggnog shots are the perfect way to celebrate the family yuletide or your next holiday party. Ideal as New Year’s Eve, Christmas or holiday pudding shots, these little treats pack a huge flavor punch and everyone will be asking you for more of these ginger snap eggnog pudding shots.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These pudding shots are a holiday game-changer. Everyone wanted seconds immediately!
I loved these, and so did everyone else at my party. Thank you!
these are just what I was looking for!