Description
This festive and creamy minty delight recipe features a smooth vanilla pudding base infused with crème de menthe, folded with whipped topping and tinted a light green for a refreshing and visually appealing dessert. Perfect for parties or holiday gatherings, these individual mint pudding cups are garnished with whipped cream and maraschino cherries to add a touch of elegance and festivity.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Base
- 1 (3 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 ½ cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Flavor & Color
- ¼ cup crème de menthe (green)
- 1–2 drops green food coloring
Whipped Topping & Garnish
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed
- Whipped cream, for garnish
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Serving
- 12 (2 oz) plastic soufflé cups with lids
Instructions
- Make the pudding base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate crème de menthe: Stir in the green crème de menthe until fully combined, infusing the pudding mixture with a refreshing mint flavor.
- Fold in whipped topping and color: Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip along with 1-2 drops of green food coloring, mixing until evenly combined and the mixture is light green and fluffy.
- Portion into cups: Spoon or pipe the pudding mixture into 2 oz plastic soufflé cups, filling each about three-quarters full for perfect servings.
- Chill to set: Cover each cup with its lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the pudding to firm up and flavors to meld.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, top each cup with a swirl of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to add a festive and appealing presentation.
Notes
- Use cold milk to ensure the pudding sets properly and quickly.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your desired shade of mint green.
- Ensure the Cool Whip is fully thawed and gently folded to keep the mixture light and airy.
- These pudding cups can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored refrigerated for easy serving at parties.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute crème de menthe with mint extract and a small amount of green syrup for color.
