Mint Chocolate Trifle – A Fun St. Patrick’s Day Treat!

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This Mint Chocolate Trifle is a fun St. Patrick’s Day treat! An impressive dessert and easy recipe with your favorite flavor combinations!

Mint Chocolate Trifle in a trifle bowl on a light blue fabric table runner with white polkadots on a wooden table

St. Patrick’s Day Trifle

If you are looking for St. Patrick’s Day desserts, a Christmas dessert, or green desserts to compliment a party theme, this Mint Chocolate trifle is the festive treat for you! A luscious dessert with mint filling, chocolate mint cookies, and rich fudgy chocolate cake. 

This decadent mint trifle is an easy dessert recipe that anyone can make. Using basic ingredients that you can find at almost any grocery store, this is one of those St. Patrick’s Day ideas that can be made any time of year. 

This perfect St. Patrick’s Day dessert is vegetarian and nut-free, so it should be a great option for various dietary restrictions. If you want to make it gluten-free, substitute gluten-free mint cookies and gluten-free chocolate cake and you’ll be good to go. 

Ultimately, chocolate trifle desserts are fun and easy desserts to make – plus they look super cool – so I highly recommend giving this one a shot. We all need green things around during St. Patrick’s Day and it’s even better when they taste amazing! 

Recipe Notes:

  • You can use mint brownies instead of chocolate cake if that’s your preference. 
  • Use individual cups to make mini trifles with some of each of these ingredients if serving from a trifle bowl would be too tricky. 

A Mint Chocolate Trifle on a white table with a blue and white runner next to a metal sheep statue and a window frame

How To Make Mint Trifle Recipe

Mint Chocolate Trifle Ingredients:

1 box chocolate cake mix (usually requires oil, eggs, and/or water)
4 cups whole milk
2 boxes white chocolate instant pudding 3.4 oz
1 box mint grasshopper cookies or Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies
1-2 drops mint extract
Green gel food coloring
Whipped cream or Cool Whip

Supplies Needed:

Large trifle dish
9×9-inch baking dish
Large mixing bowl
Large whisk
Sharp knife or butter knife

A measuring cup with milk, a clear bowl of mint chocolate cookies, a box of Jello pudding, vanilla, a baking dish with chocolate cake, and food coloring on a wooden table for a mint chocolate trifle

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven, prepare, and bake your cake as directed on the box mix.

This will differ some depending on the brand, so you will want to be prepared with oil, eggs, and/or water based on those instructions.

A large measuring cup with green milk inside and an orange whisk inside of that next to a bottle of vanilla and green food coloring on a wooden table for a St. Patrick's Day TrifleStep 2: Make your creamy pudding according to the directions on the box or as follows.

In a large bowl, whisk together your instant chocolate pudding mix, cold milk, two or three drops of mint extract (your preference depending on how much mint flavor you’d like), and a few drops of green food coloring. You want to have a nice shade of green at this point. 

After incorporating everything thoroughly, set the large mixing bowl in the fridge for 5 minutes so the pudding mixture can soft set.

A clear trifle bowl with chocolate cake pieces in the bottom on a wooden table with a blue and white runner for a mint chocolate trifleStep 3: Slice your cake into small pieces and line the bottom of your glass trifle dish with pieces of cake.

Step 4: Pour half of your festive green pudding on top of your cake pieces.

Step 5: Place your mint cookies on top of the layer of pudding, along the sides of the dish. Fill them in the middle as well.

A Mint Chocolate Trifle closeup in front of a gray and white wallStep 6: Add another layer of chocolate cake on top of your chocolate cookies and around the sides of the dish.

Step 7: Pour the rest of your mint pudding on top of the cake, being sure to fill in all the crevices.

Step 8: Add one last layer of chocolate cake on top of the pudding.

Step 9: Fill the center with whipped cream or whipped topping and then place a few more mint cookies on top of the Cool Whip.

Serve your gorgeous chocolate peppermint trifle immediately and enjoy!

A closeup of half of a Mint Chocolate Trifle in front of a gray wall

How To Store Leftover Mint Chocolate Trifle

Store any leftovers in the trifle bowl covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

What Do I Do If I Can’t Find Girl Scout Cookies?

This particular recipe calls for mint chocolate cookies, so there are a few ways to get them. When Girl Scout cookie season comes around, pick up a box of Thin Mints from the Girl Scouts.

If you are making them during a different time of year, pick up some Keebler Grasshoppers or a generic brand of the same flavors. 

I Can’t Find Mint Extract – What Do I Do?

If you can’t find mint extract at your local grocery store, you can easily substitute peppermint extract. It is a bit stronger, so make sure to taste test as you add.

If you can’t find any type of mint extract, you could omit it altogether and add another component. You could crush up some Mint Oreos, Andes Mints, or other chocolate mints into the pudding mixture so that you still have the coolness of the mint.

Make sure that you do this before you add your drops of food coloring so that you can add more to this festive treat in case the chocolate dulls the green coloring. 

A Mint Chocolate Trifle on a white table with a blue and white runner next to a window pane

How Do You Make This Dessert Trifle Without A Trifle Bowl?

I have been in this situation more than once (especially if I’m making two trifles for one day). If you don’t have a normal size trifle bowl, my best suggestion is to use a pyrex or clear glass bowl or serving bowl as your second best option.

You can also make mini trifle bowls out of juice glasses, mason jars, or even wine glasses. You will still be able to see the layers and offer individual servings easily.

Can I Make This Delicious Recipe A Day Ahead?

This all depends on what texture you are looking for. If you make this trifle dessert a day or two ahead, the pudding will soften the chocolate cake more than it would have if you made it the same day. You will still get the crunch from the cookies, so it’s up to you! The flavors will be stellar either way. 

Also, if you plan to make this a bit ahead of time, wait until the last minute to add your whipped cream and last few cookies to the top. The whipped cream will melt if you spray it too early.

Are You Looking For Another Delicious St. Patty’s Day Treat? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

Anchor Hocking Monaco Footed Trifle Bowl with Stand, Crystal, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Monaco Footed Trifle Bowl with Stand, Crystal, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Monaco Footed Trifle Bowl with Stand, Crystal, Set of 1Frontier Mint Flavor Certified Organic, 2-Ounce BottleFrontier Mint Flavor Certified Organic, 2-Ounce BottleFrontier Mint Flavor Certified Organic, 2-Ounce BottleAmericolor Soft Gel Paste Food Color.75-Ounce, Mint GreenAmericolor Soft Gel Paste Food Color.75-Ounce, Mint GreenAmericolor Soft Gel Paste Food Color.75-Ounce, Mint GreenJELLO White Chocolate Instant Pudding Dessert Mix (3.3oz Boxes, Pack of 6)JELLO White Chocolate Instant Pudding Dessert Mix (3.3oz Boxes, Pack of 6)JELLO White Chocolate Instant Pudding Dessert Mix (3.3oz Boxes, Pack of 6)Anchor Hocking Presence Party Bowl with White Plastic Lid, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Presence Party Bowl with White Plastic Lid, Set of 1Anchor Hocking Presence Party Bowl with White Plastic Lid, Set of 1TEEVEA ((Upgraded) 3 Pack Very Sturdy Kitchen Stainless Steel Balloon Wire Set Egg Beater for for Blending Whisking Beating Stirring Cooking Baking,TEEVEA ((Upgraded) 3 Pack Very Sturdy Kitchen Stainless Steel Balloon Wire Set Egg Beater for for Blending Whisking Beating Stirring Cooking Baking,TEEVEA ((Upgraded) 3 Pack Very Sturdy Kitchen Stainless Steel Balloon Wire Set Egg Beater for for Blending Whisking Beating Stirring Cooking Baking,

 

Yield: 15 servings

Mint Chocolate Trifle

Mint Chocolate Trifle

This Mint Chocolate Trifle is a fun St. Patrick's Day treat! An impressive dessert and easy recipe with your favorite flavor combinations!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (usually requires oil, eggs and/or water)
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 boxes white chocolate instant pudding 3.4 oz
  • 1 box mint grasshopper cookies or Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies
  • 1-2 drops mint extract
  • Green gel food coloring
  • 1 can whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven, prepare, and bake your cake as directed on the box. This will differ some depending on the brand, so you will want to be prepared with oil, eggs and/or water based on those instructions.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your instant pudding, milk, two or three drops of mint extract (your preference depending on how minty you'd like), and a few drops of green food coloring.
  3. After incorporating everything thoroughly, set the bowl in the fridge for 5 minutes so the pudding can soft set.
  4. Slice your cake into small pieces and line the bottom of your trifle dish with pieces of cake. Pour half of your green pudding on top of your cake pieces.
  5. Place your mint cookies on top of your pudding along the sides of the dish, and fill them in the middle as well.
  6. Add another layer of chocolate cake on top of your cookies and around the sides of the dish. Pour the rest of your mint pudding on top of the cake, being sure to fill in all the crevices.
  7. Add one last layer of chocolate cake on top of the pudding. Fill the center with whipped cream and then top off your trifle with a few mint cookies. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

If you plan to make this a bit ahead of time, wait until the last minute to add your whipped cream and last few cookies. The whipped cream will melt if you spray it too early.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

15

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 208Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 90mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 4g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietician. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

Mint Chocolate Trifle on a white wood table with a light blue fabric table runner with white polka dots
Mint Chocolate Trifle on a white wooden table next to a white picture frame

2 Comments

  1. I love the bright, bold green color of this dessert! I may have to pull this out for St. Patrick’s day fun! I know my kids would love it.

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