Every year, as St. Patrick’s Day approaches, I find myself looking for fun and festive desserts that feel indulgent but are easy to make and perfect for sharing. That’s where this Shamrock Shake Dessert Lasagna comes in. It’s everything I love about mint-chocolate flavor in a chilled, layered dessert that looks just as good as it tastes.
This dessert is a playful twist on the classic shamrock shake — no blender required! Instead, layers of crushed chocolate cookies, fluffy minty cream, and mint chocolate chips come together to create a dessert that’s refreshing, creamy, and downright irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a party, bringing dessert to a gathering, or just celebrating with family, this one is guaranteed to steal the show.
Let me show you how to make this festive, no-bake dessert lasagna that’s become one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holiday.
Why You’ll Love This Shamrock Shake Dessert Lasagna
There are so many reasons this dessert has earned a spot on my yearly St. Paddy’s Day menu:
- No-bake and easy to assemble – Just layer and chill.
- Festive and fun – Bright green cream and mint chocolate chips make it perfect for the holiday.
- Creamy and crunchy – The combination of soft layers and cookie crunch is pure dessert magic.
- Make-ahead friendly – Assemble the night before and chill until serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Serves 8-10 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Chill Time: 2 hours)
- 1 package of chocolate cookies (chocolate sandwich cookies or chocolate wafer cookies)
- 1 cup mint chocolate chips
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (optional, but adds festive flair)
- Additional whipped cream for topping
How to Make Shamrock Shake Dessert Lasagna
1. Crush the Cookies
Place the chocolate cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them using a rolling pin or food processor until you have fine crumbs with some small chunks for texture.
2. Make the Cream Layer
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped cream until well mixed and light.
3. Add the Green Tint
If you want to give this dessert a festive look, add a few drops of green food coloring to the cream mixture and stir until the color is even. I go for a soft pastel green, but you can make it as vibrant as you like.
4. Start the Layers
In a baking dish or trifle dish, spread half of the crushed cookies evenly across the bottom.
5. Add the First Cream Layer
Spoon half of the cream mixture over the cookie layer and gently smooth it out with a spatula.
6. Sprinkle the Mint Chocolate Chips
Scatter half of the mint chocolate chips on top of the cream layer for that delicious burst of minty sweetness.
7. Repeat the Layers
Add the remaining crushed cookies, followed by the remaining cream mixture, and finish with the rest of the mint chocolate chips.
8. Top It Off
Spread an extra layer of whipped cream on top for a smooth, fluffy finish. Garnish with a few extra mint chocolate chips or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
9. Chill to Set
Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours — or overnight — to let the layers meld and set into creamy perfection.
My Tips for the Best Dessert Lasagna
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture.
- Chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream to help it whip up faster and fluffier.
- Crush the cookies to your desired texture — fine for a smoother base or leave some chunks for added crunch.
- Get creative with toppings — Add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or crushed peppermint candies for extra fun.
- Make it in individual cups for easy-to-serve, portable desserts.
Fun Variations to Try
- Oreo version – Use crushed mint Oreos for even more minty goodness.
- Chocolate drizzle – Add a layer of hot fudge sauce between layers or drizzle on top before serving.
- Add chopped Andes mints – For an extra minty-chocolate kick.
- Make it boozy – Add a splash of Irish cream to the cream cheese mixture for an adult twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! In fact, letting it chill overnight makes the layers even better.
Q: Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream?
A: Yes! Store-bought whipped topping works great for convenience. Use about 2 cups in place of homemade.
Q: How long will this dessert keep in the fridge?
A: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I freeze this dessert?
A: While you can freeze it, the texture is best enjoyed fresh or after chilling. Freezing may change the consistency of the cream layer.
A Minty, Creamy Treat Worth Celebrating
This Shamrock Shake Dessert Lasagna is everything I love about festive desserts — it’s easy, colorful, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re making it for a St. Patrick’s Day party or simply indulging in a little minty sweetness at home, this recipe never fails to delight.
If you give it a try, let me know how you like it! And if you add your own creative toppings or twists, I’d love to hear how you make it your own. Enjoy every cool, creamy bite!
Shamrock Shake Dessert Lasagna – A Minty Sweet Treat for St. Patrick’s Day
Ingredients
- 1 package of mint chocolate cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring
- Chocolate syrup for drizzling
- Additional mint chocolate cookies for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Crush the mint chocolate cookies into fine crumbs and mix with melted butter until well combined.
- Press the cookie mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and a few drops of green food coloring. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the whipped cream gently until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Spread half of the mint cream mixture over the cookie crust in the baking dish.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining cookie crust and mint cream mixture.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
- Before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with additional crushed mint chocolate cookies.
Leave a Reply