Shamrock Shake Pie

You best believe that when March swings around, I am pulling my car into the McDonald’s drive-thru to order a Shamrock Shake. This once-a-year St. Patrick’s Day-themed green treat is creamy, minty and so tasty. But what if you could transform this treat into a tasty no-bake pie that you could make and enjoy without leaving the house? Our Shamrock Shake pie recipe has it all—a just-right minty flavor (no toothpaste mint here!), a creamy texture and a perfect green hue.

Using a store-bought graham cracker crust, instant vanilla pudding and whipped topping makes prep a breeze. As to how it tastes? Let’s just say my five-year-old gave this Shamrock Shake pie recipe “one million thumbs up.” I think that’s a pretty fantastic review, don’t you?

Ingredients for Shamrock Shake Pie

• Vanilla instant pudding mix: You will need one 3.4-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding mix for this recipe. Double-check that it’s instant pudding, not the cook-and-serve variety.
• Milk: Use milk that is at least 1% milk fat for this recipe.
• Peppermint extract: This flavorful extract adds the perfect minty flavor to the pie.
• Cool Whip: Whipped topping adds a fluffy texture to the pie. While you might find it in the frozen section at the grocery store, don’t forget to thaw it in the refrigerator before assembling the pie.
• Green food coloring: A few drops of green food coloring give this pie its signature Shamrock Shake color.
• Graham cracker crust: You will need a 9-inch graham cracker pie crust for this no-bake pie. Using a store-bought pie crust makes this recipe a breeze. You can also easily make a graham cracker crust from scratch—you need only some graham crackers, butter and a little sugar.
• Garnish: To give the pie even more milkshake vibes, garnish the pie with a dollop (or a squirt) of whipped cream and maraschino cherries. You can put each garnish on every slice of pie or add a single garnish to the center of the pie.

Directions

Step 1: Make the pudding

Add the instant vanilla pudding mix to a large bowl. Add the milk and peppermint extract, then whisk vigorously for two minutes, until the pudding is smooth.

Editor’s Tip: Let the pudding sit for a few minutes so it can thicken slightly.

Step 2: Make it green

Add the food coloring, one drop at a time, stirring well between additions, until you achieve a light green color.

Editor’s Tip: No green food coloring on hand? No problem if you do have yellow and blue food coloring! Simply add equal amounts of both colors until you achieve the perfect Shamrock Shake green.

Step 3: Add the whipped topping

Fold in the whipped topping. Add more green food coloring if necessary.

Editor’s Tip: For the easiest incorporation, make sure the whipped topping is completely thawed before folding it into the pudding.

Step 4: Fill the pie crust

Spoon the filling into the graham cracker crust and smooth with an offset spatula.

Editor’s Tip: Avoid overfilling the pie. If you have extra filling, spoon it into individual bowls and refrigerate it. The mint pudding is quite delicious on its own!

Step 5: Chill

Cover the pie and place it in the freezer until firm and the middle is set, at least four hours.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Garnish the pie—or each slice of pie—with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, then serve.

Editor’s Tip: If the pie has been frozen for more than four hours, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. For the easiest slicing, remove the pie from the tin and place it on a cutting board to easily and cleanly cut the pie into individual slices.

Shamrock Shake Pie Variations

• Go grasshopper: Is there a better flavor combination than mint and chocolate? To easily turn this into a grasshopper pie, use a chocolate cookie crumb crust in place of the graham cracker crust and garnish with chocolate shavings.
• Spike it: For a boozy Shamrock Shake pie (not for the kids!), replace the mint extract with 2 tablespoons of creme de menthe liqueur.
• Make it mini: For individual servings, use mini graham cracker crusts instead of a single pie crust.

How to Store Shamrock Shake Pie

Leftover Shamrock Shake pie can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer. If stored in the fridge, it won’t be as firm, but it will still be just as tasty.

How long does a Shamrock Shake pie last?

Leftover Shamrock Shake pie can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for a few weeks. If you plan to store it in the freezer for longer than a few weeks, carefully wrap the pie in storage wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container to help prevent freezer burn.

Shamrock Shake Pie Tips

How do you get a clean slice of Shamrock Shake pie?

The key to cutting a clean slice of pie is using a sharp knife and cleaning it between cuts. To easily cut through a frozen pie, warm the knife slightly under hot water, dry it, then cut a slice. Repeat for each slice of pie.

Can you use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip for a Shamrock Shake pie?

Unlike homemade whipped cream, frozen whipped topping such as Cool Whip contains stabilizers that prevent it from collapsing or “weeping” (releasing liquid). However, you can use homemade whipped cream as your garnish.

If you are avoiding store-bought frozen whipped topping, you can experiment with using stabilized whipped cream in this recipe to replace it. Stabilized whipped cream is made simply with instant vanilla pudding mix, heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar.