A variety of desserts can be served inside shot glasses, just like other types of dishes used for desserts. What a cook can do with the shot glasses depends on if the glasses are oven, microwave and freezer safe. Many shot glass desserts contain higher concentrations of flavors, through the use of non-diluted syrups or higher concentrations of certain ingredients, to deliver more flavors in the smaller amount of food. Common shot glass desserts include mini-parfaits and puddings, ice cream, and even pies and cakes.
Parfaits, whether made of yogurt or ice cream, are a popular type of shot glass dessert. A person preparing parfaits in shot glasses can make three or more layers of ice cream or yogurt, along with any other ingredients on hand. A parfait might include small pieces of fruit, granola, chocolate syrup or marshmallow cream in the individual layers.
Pudding and gelatin can also be used to make shot glass desserts. After mixing the gelatin or pudding, the mixture can then be spooned or poured into the individual shot glasses, which then are placed in the refrigerator. Because of their small size, the gelatin or pudding sets up faster than in larger dessert bowls, meaning the desserts do not need to be prepared as far in advance. The preparer might decide to put whipped cream, cookies or other toppers on the pudding or gelatin after it has set, or to mix pieces of fruit, syrups or other foods into the mixtures when they are partially set, suspending them inside the pudding or gelatin.
Ice cream dishes can be condensed in size, making them a good candidate for a shot glass dessert. For example, ice cream sundaes can be made in the smaller format of a shot glass. A person can cut up small bits of banana to even create shot glass banana split sundae. If desired, ice cream and other ingredients can be blended up and then spooned into the shot glasses.
Some pies can be converted into shot glass desserts. The pie might be of the type that does not need to be cooked, such as banana cream pie. The pie’s crust can be made of crushed bits of graham crackers, or a small circle of no-bake crust that fits in the bottom of the shot glass. A person prepares the pie filling in a separate bowl, and then spoons the filling into the glass and over the crust. The pie topper, such as whipped cream or fruit, goes over the filling.
If the shot glasses are oven safe, a person can create small layered cakes inside shot glasses. The different layers of cake batter and other materials that are heat-resistant are spooned into the glasses. Cook times for the shot glass cakes are shorter than for cakes in cake pans.