St Patrick’s Day Green Shake Pudding Cups

I still smile when I think of those tiny green cups on my childhood holiday table — bright, creamy, and mischievously festive. These St Patrick’s Day Green Shake Pudding Cups are exactly that: easy, kid-approved pudding turned into a drinkable, spoon-friendly treat with a shake-like texture and cheerful green color. They’re perfect for classroom parties, a last-minute dessert, or a fun addition to a St. Patrick’s Day spread. If you love quick make-ahead sweets, you might also enjoy this 5-minute cottage cheese breakfast for another speedy idea.

What makes this recipe special

These pudding cups bridge the gap between milkshake and classic pudding. The texture is lightened with whipped topping so each spoonful feels fluffy but still creamy, and the green tint—achieved with pistachio pudding, a few drops of food coloring, or matcha—gives the cups instant holiday charm. They’re fast to assemble, scale easily for a crowd, and are delightfully customizable for dietary needs or presentation.

How this recipe comes together

Step-by-step overview

• Make a quick pudding base (instant pudding powders speed this up).
• Thin it slightly with milk for a “shake” consistency.
• Fold in whipped topping for airiness.
• Layer or top with cookie crumbs, chocolate chips, or mint for texture and color contrast.
• Chill briefly so flavors meld and pudding firms slightly.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

• 2 (3.4 oz) packages instant vanilla or pistachio pudding mix (or 1 vanilla + green food coloring)
• 3 cups cold milk (use whole milk for creamier texture; skim works if you prefer lighter)
• 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed — or 1 cup whipped cream, whipped to medium peaks
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (omit if using pistachio pudding)
• A few drops green gel food coloring (optional, for extra-bright color) or 1–2 teaspoons matcha powder for natural color
• 1 cup crushed cookies or graham crackers (for the base) — Oreo crumbs are fun for contrast
• Green sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, or small mint leaves for garnish

Substitutions/notes:

• For dairy-free: use coconut milk and a dairy-free whipped topping; choose a vegan pudding mix or make a cornstarch-thickened pudding.
• For lower sugar: use sugar-free instant pudding mix and a low-calorie whipped topping.

Step-by-step instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for 30–60 seconds until it begins to thicken. If using matcha, whisk it into the milk first so it dissolves evenly.
2. Stir in vanilla extract, then add green food coloring a drop at a time until you reach the desired shade.
3. Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding until smooth and airy. This creates the “shake” consistency — if it’s too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons more milk.
4. Spoon about 1–2 tablespoons of crushed cookies into the bottom of 6 (6–8 oz) cups.
5. Divide the green pudding mixture between the cups, filling them about three-quarters full.
6. Top each cup with a small dollop of whipped topping, then sprinkle with green sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or chopped pistachios. Add a mint leaf for a polished look.
7. Chill the cups for at least 20–30 minutes before serving so they set slightly and flavors meld.

Best ways to enjoy it

Serving suggestions

• Serve chilled alongside soda bread or buttery shortbread for a fun contrast of textures.
• Make a dessert bar: let guests choose crumbs, candies, and toppings so each cup is personalized.
• For parties, serve these in disposable clear cups with striped paper straws or tiny spoons for a whimsical presentation.
• Pair with a light coffee or mint tea to cut the sweetness.

Storage and reheating tips

Keeping leftovers fresh

• Refrigerate covered for up to 48–72 hours. The pudding will firm slightly as it chills; stir gently if you want creamier texture before serving.
• Avoid freezing these cups — whipped components separate and texture becomes grainy after thawing.
• Store garnished cups in a single layer; for stacked storage, remove toppings and add fresh ones before serving.
• Food safety: keep dairy desserts at or below 40°F. Discard any cups left out longer than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour if over 90°F).

Pro chef tips

Helpful cooking tips

• Use gel food coloring for vivid green without diluting the pudding.
• Chill your mixing bowl and whisk for a cooler, quicker set when folding in whipped cream.
• If you prefer a stronger mint flavor, swap 1/4 teaspoon of the vanilla for peppermint extract — be cautious, peppermint is potent.
• For clean layers, pipe the pudding into cups using a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped.
• If using whole strawberries or soft fruit as garnish, add them just before serving to avoid soggy cups.

Creative twists

Recipe variations

• Mint-chocolate: fold in 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips and a few drops of peppermint extract.
• Matcha-coconut: use matcha for color and coconut whipped cream for a tropical note.
• Boozy adult version: stir 1–2 tablespoons of Irish cream liqueur into the pudding (do not serve to minors).
• Protein boost: blend 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt into the mix for tang and extra protein — this works well with vanilla pudding base.
• If you like richer baked-custard textures, try this idea adapted into a warm bread pudding; for inspiration see our take on cottage cheese bread pudding which uses a similar custard concept.

Common questions

FAQ
Q: How long does this take to make?
A: Active time is about 10–15 minutes; chilling for 20–30 minutes is recommended, so plan on 35–45 minutes total.

Q: Can I make these a day ahead?
A: Yes — assemble and cover tightly, then refrigerate up to 48 hours. Add delicate toppings like sprinkles or fresh mint right before serving.

Q: What if I don’t have instant pudding mix?
A: You can make stovetop pudding (milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks) and cool it before folding in whipped topping. This takes longer but gives a homemade custard taste.

Q: How can I color them naturally?
A: Matcha powder or blended avocado will produce green tones naturally; matcha gives a bright, slightly grassy note while avocado adds creaminess and mild flavor.

Q: Are these safe for kids?
A: Yes, when made without alcohol and with pasteurized dairy products. Keep them refrigerated and discard after two hours at room temperature.

Conclusion

If you want a bright, festive treat that’s fast to pull together and fun to customize, these St Patrick’s Day Green Shake Pudding Cups are a winner. For another themed inspiration and a different styling of pudding cups, you can see a family-friendly version at St Patrick’s Day Pudding Cups – Simply Made Recipes.

St. Patrick’s Day Green Shake Pudding Cups

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• Author: amir_hassan
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Bright, creamy, and festive pudding cups that combine the textures of milkshakes and classic pudding, perfect for celebrations.

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Ingredients

• 2 (3.4 oz) packages instant vanilla or pistachio pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• A few drops green gel food coloring (optional)
• 1–2 teaspoons matcha powder (optional)
• 1 cup crushed cookies or graham crackers
• Green sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped pistachios, or small mint leaves for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for 30–60 seconds until it begins to thicken.
2. Stir in vanilla extract, then add green food coloring a drop at a time until you reach the desired shade.
3. Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding until smooth and airy.
4. Spoon about 1–2 tablespoons of crushed cookies into the bottom of 6 cups.
5. Divide the green pudding mixture between the cups, filling them about three-quarters full.
6. Top each cup with a dollop of whipped topping and sprinkle with green sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or chopped pistachios.
7. Chill the cups for at least 20–30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For dairy-free, use coconut milk and dairy-free whipped topping; for lower sugar, use sugar-free instant pudding mix.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Chilling
• Cuisine: American