These Lemon Meringue Pie Pudding Shots use lemon pudding, vanilla vodka, limoncello, meringue powder, Cool Whip, and crushed meringues.

These Lemon Meringue Pie Pudding Shots are great for the lemon pie lover in your life.

Ironically, I like things that taste like lemon meringue pie…but I don’t really like the pie.

I think mostly because I have had some really bad lemon meringue pie.

A lot of weepy meringue in my days.

I’ve made lemon meringue versions of drinks, sweet rolls, and gelatin molds.

But I do love these pudding shots.

There are some lemon meringue pie liqueurs out there but none were available in my area so I used limoncello since you can get that at most liquor stores.

Heck, even some grocery stores carry it as well.

Ingredient Highlights:

• Instant Pudding – You must use INSTANT pudding. Cook and serve will NOT work. While my store had the lemon pudding, I usually do buy it on Amazon because it’s cheaper that way.
• Whole Milk – Make sure it’s COLD so it can react with the instant pudding mix. You need to use whole milk for this recipe. The pudding needs to be extra creamy and skim or 2% just won’t do it.
• Vodka– I use vanilla vodka but using either a whipped cream flavored vodka or marshmallow vodka will work. If you want a more lemon flavor you can do lemon vodka.
• Limoncello– Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur made with lemon zest, sugar, and neutral alcohol (usually vodka).
• Cool Whip – People groan at this usually. But Cool Whip is what works best. I have tried making pudding shots with real whipped cream (even stabilized) and they just don’t work out.
• Meringue Powder – you can skip this is you want but it does add to the meringue flavor.
• Meringues – You can buy meringues at most grocery stores. I usually buy mine at Trader Joes.

Pudding Shot Recipe FAQs

Can You Make Them Ahead Of Time?

Yes! I usually make mine the day before. But I have made them as early as three days ahead (I would not go more than that). Store them in the refrigerator after making them.
Can They Be Frozen?
You can freeze them for up to 2 months, but don’t fill them all the way to the top so they have room to expand. And don’t put any garnishes on until you are ready to serve. In this case, the meringues.

Can They Be Made Sugar Free?

I have never tested the recipe with sugar-free pudding so I can’t say for sure, but I believe it will work.

How Many Servings?

This depends on how full you fill your cups and how much cool whip you use (half or whole tub) but you should get between 20 and 25 pudding shots with this recipe.

Tips For Making Pudding Shots:

• Remember when using any alcohol that is more than 80 proof can make your pudding shots runny. Most vodkas run at 80 proof and that is usually the highest alcohol content booze I use so you should be fine.
  But always good to check.
• Don’t skip the Cool Whip.
  Many people ask can they use whipped cream instead. Yes, you can.
  However, make sure that you do not use the kind out of a can. That will not hold up.
  I’ve always made mine with Cool Whip just because I feel it holds it shape better in pudding shots.
• Be sure to chill them for at least 30 minutes.
  While I say to chill them for at least 30 minutes I usually end up chilling them for much longer.
• Often I make up the pudding the night before and place it into an airtight container and then scoop the day of the party.
  Saves time on the day of the party.
  
  P.S. It’s a great day to buy my cookbook Holy Sweet!

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