Description
Cups: A Festive, Creamy Minty Delight is a refreshing and easy-to-make no-bake dessert featuring instant vanilla pudding infused with crème de menthe and topped with whipped cream and maraschino cherries. Perfect for parties and holiday gatherings, this pudding cup dessert offers a smooth, light texture with a delightful mint twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 (3 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup crème de menthe (green)
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed
- 1–2 drops green food coloring
Garnish
- Whipped cream, for garnish
- Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Serving Supplies
- 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 the 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
- Ensure the Cool Whip is fully thawed before folding it into the pudding for the best texture.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of mint green.
- Refrigerating the pudding cups for longer than 1 hour will result in a firmer texture.
- These dessert cups can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator with lids on.
