Description
Light and fluffy no-bake pudding cups with refreshing peppermint flavor and festive green color, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Made with instant pudding, whipped topping, and peppermint extract for an easy dessert that tastes like a mint shake.
Ingredients
Pudding Base
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
Creamy Layer
- 1 cup whipped topping, thawed
- Green food coloring (4–6 drops, or to desired shade)
Optional Ingredients / Mix-Ins
- ½ cup crushed cookies (chocolate sandwich cookies or graham crackers)
- Extra whipped cream for topping
- Green or gold sprinkles
- Chocolate chips or mint candy pieces
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for about 2 minutes, until thick and smooth.
Stir in the peppermint extract and green food coloring until evenly combined. I like to add the food coloring one drop at a time so I can control the shade – you can go for a light, pastel green or a vibrant shamrock green.
Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture becomes light and creamy. This is where the magic happens! Use a rubber spatula and fold gently – you don’t want to deflate all those wonderful air bubbles. The mixture should look fluffy and dreamy.
If using crushed cookies, spoon a small layer into the bottom of each serving cup. I love using crushed Oreos for that cookies-and-cream vibe, but graham crackers work beautifully too!
Divide the green pudding mixture evenly among cups. A small ice cream scoop works perfectly for this, or you can use a spoon. Fill them about ¾ full to leave room for toppings.
Cover and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to allow the pudding to fully set. I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but trust me – chilling makes all the difference in texture!
Just before serving, top with whipped cream and festive sprinkles if desired. This is your moment to get creative with those St. Patrick’s Day decorations!
Notes
- Taste test your peppermint before adding all of it. Peppermint extract can vary in strength by brand, so start with ¼ teaspoon, taste, and add more if needed. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
- Make it more “shake-like” by blending everything in a blender for 30 seconds instead of whisking. This creates an even smoother, more milkshake-style consistency.
- Common mistake to avoid: Don’t overmix after adding the whipped topping. Once you can’t see white streaks anymore, STOP. Overmixing makes the pudding dense instead of fluffy.
- Smart shortcut: Use a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off) to fill your cups neatly without making a mess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: Chill Time: 30–60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American