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Make Shamrock Shake Cupcakes at home to remind you of your favorite St. Patrick’s Day milkshake! Mint cupcakes topped with a vanilla milkshake frosting are perfect for any celebration.

Honestly, I just love looking at these. They’re so pretty and festive and perfect for a party!

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close up of shamrock shake cupcake

Okay, I’m going to confess something to you:

I’ve never had a real Shamrock Shake.

I know, right?? I cannot believe I’ve never had one. I never even knew they were a thing until a few years ago and at this point I don’t want to waste the calories. In my defense, we don’t go to McDonald’s that much, so I come by my lack of knowledge about them honestly. (I prefer spending my fast food calories at Taco Bell or In-N-Oout.)

Hopefully, I’m not the only rookie here and there is someone else thinking, what is a shamrock shake?

These green milkshakes are the invention of McDonald’s, and they’re only available around St. Patrick’s Day. They’re so popular I’ve heard they even have their own app this year! The shamrock shake flavor is mint milkshake. I’m assuming they taste like mint chip ice cream with out the “chip”, all blended and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

If you’re wondering how to make a shamrock shake at home, you can make my skinny mint shake version, or try Lisa’s homemade version. Plus, if you have your own recipe you never have to wonder when shamrock shakes are arriving at McDonalds!

This cupcake recipe is a spin on that popular green shake: a mint cupcake is topped with a vanilla frosting reminiscent of a milkshake. I honestly could have eaten the frosting with a spoon!

shot of 5 shamrock shake cupcakes

Copycat Shamrock Shake Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Make mint cupcakes with a vanilla frosting on top!

If you’re wanting to make something fun and festive for St. Patrick’s Day, or maybe you are having a cupcake party, Shamrock Shake Cupcakes are the perfect recipe. These would make a great green birthday cupcake too!

Whether or not you decide to make the cupcakes green, and even if you decide not to make them mint, you MUST make this frosting. There are only two ingredients that combine to make a fluffy and not-too-sweet vanilla frosting. Can you guess what the two ingredients are?

Drumroll…Whipped Cream and PUDDING MIX! Yes, you read that right. You can add pudding mix to heavy whipping cream when you’re making frosting (or just whipped cream for anything).

close up shot of shamrock shake cupcake

Even if you’ve never had a Shamrock Shake, you can still make Shamrock Shake Cupcakes. I’ve never checked, but I assume they have less calories (ha!)

How to make Shamrock Shake Cupcakes:

  • I started with a white cake mix. I used white so the green food coloring would POP. You can also use a yellow cake mix or my perfect vanilla cupcake recipe.
  • MINT vs PEPPERMINT…this is important. Most recipes you see call for mint extract. I prefer to use peppermint. You might ask, is there a difference between mint and peppermint extract? There is, for some people. When I eat things with mint extract, they taste like toothpaste. Peppermint extract is what I have to use to eat minty food. Use your favorite!
  • Feel free to skip the green food coloring, if you want.
  • Frosting: be sure to use heavy whipping cream. You can use whatever flavor pudding mix you like; I used vanilla for these cupcakes. Making homemade whipped cream is faster in a stand mixer, just in case you’re wondering.
  • Sprinkles and cherries are optional but make these pretty!
  • Frost right before serving and don’t add the sugar on top until right before so it doesn’t dissolve.

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close up shot of shamrock shake cupcake

Shamrock Shake Cupcakes

4.28 from 18 votes
Make Shamrock Shake Cupcakes at home to remind you of your favorite St. Patrick's Day milkshake! Mint cupcakes topped with a vanilla milkshake frosting are perfect for any celebration.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Yield 18 -24 cupcakes
Serving Size 1 cupcake (calories based on 24)

Ingredients
 

  • 1 box 15.25oz/432g white cake mix
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1 cup 237ml water
  • 1/3 cup 79ml vegetable oil
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract see note
  • 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring
  • 2 cups 474g heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
  • Green sprinkles optional
  • Maraschino cherries optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with liners.
  • Place cake mix, egg whites, water, oil, and extract in a large bowl. Whisk vigorously or use a hand mixer to beat until smooth. Add food coloring and stir in carefully.
  • Fill liners 2/3 full. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
  • To make frosting: beat whipped cream with a hand or a stand mixer on high speed. Gradually add the pudding mix and beat until stiff peaks form.
  • Frost cupcakes (I used a 1M tip) and top with sprinkles and/or a cherry.

Recipe Video

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcake (calories based on 24) | Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 174mg | Sugar: 10g
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

If you LOVE Shamrock Shakes, you’ll love Lisa’s Shamrock Shake Pie, Jocelyn’s Shamrock Shake Cookie Bars, or Liz’s BOOZY Shamrock Shake!

Mint Chip Oreos

Homemade Mint Chip Oreos on a white plate stacked

Copycat Mint (Shamrock) Shake

Copycat Mint Shamrock Shake in tall glass with a straw and a cherry

Bailey’s Pudding Pies

close up of baileys pudding pies in wine glass
**Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!**

Last Updated on April 1, 2023



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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4 Comments

  1. Can’t wait to try them! Love the idea of the pudding mix in the whipped cream! Gotta try it! Thanks for the recipe!

  2. These cupcakes look AMAZING!! I have a question- could I whip the frosting up and put it in my piping bag & then frost them when I am ready? Thank you ?

  3. These are so festive! I think the last time I made a green themed dessert for St Paddy’s was about 2012 so I have some work to do for next year . 🙂