The next time you’re craving McDonald’s fan-fave green shake, make this easy no-bake shamrock shake pie instead!
It tastes just like the iconic Shamrock Shake we all know and love, but it’s so much creamier and richer. And it’s a fun St. Patrick’s Day treat the whole family will love.
Better yet, this delicious dessert never goes out of season. So you can enjoy it all year!
Why You’ll Love This Shamrock Shake Pie
The Shamrock Shake is kind of like spring’s version of the pumpkin spice latte.
We wait months for it to be back on the menu, and it’s gone way too soon.
But thanks to this recipe, you can enjoy those rich, minty flavors whenever the cravings strike.
And there’s even more to love:
No-Bake Delight: This easy pie requires no baking, making it an effortless dessert for any occasion.
Festive Color: The bright green color makes it a perfect dessert for St. Patrick’s Day. But that eye-catching hue is sure to delight at any celebration.
Endless Variations: Get creative with your crust (graham cracker, Oreo, or vanilla wafer), add chocolate chips or Andes mints to the filling, or top with chocolate sauce for a custom twist.
Make-Ahead Marvel: This pie can easily be made a day in advance and frozen until ready to serve, making it an ideal stress-free dessert when entertaining.
Ingredients
This shamrock shake pie is a quick and easy way to enjoy the refreshing minty flavor of McDonald’s famous seasonal shake, no drive-thru required!
And with only a handful of ingredients, it comes together in a flash.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Crushed Graham Crackers: The foundation of the buttery, crumbly crust. Feel free to grab a ready-made pie crust!
- Brown Sugar: A touch of molasses-rich sweetness adds depth and complexity.
- Butter: The binding agent that holds the crust together.
- Cold Milk: So the filling is rich and creamy.
- Mint Extract and Green Food Coloring: The extract is strong, so don’t go crazy. And the coloring is technically optional, so feel free to leave it out.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: For a thick, luscious filling that sets up beautifully.
- Whipped Topping: To lighten the filling and make it airy and cloud-like.
- Whipped Cream and Maraschino Cherries for Garnish: The final flourish that makes this pie Instagram-worthy.
How to Make Shamrock Shake Pie
This no-bake pie’s fluffy, mousse-like texture is super light and luscious.
Here’s how to make it:
1. CRUST. Mix the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar and melted butter until it looks like wet sand. Press the mix into a 9-inch pie dish and freeze.
2. PUDDING. Whisk the milk, extract, food coloring, and pudding until smooth and thick. Cover and chill for 5-10 minutes.
3. FILLING. Whisk the pudding so it’s smooth. Then gently stir in the whipped topping until blended and spoon into the frozen crust.
4. CHILL. Refrigerate the pie for 6-7 hours or freeze it for 2-3 hours (or until the filling is set).
5. SERVE. Let the pie warm for 5-10 minutes at room temperature. Then top with whipped cream and cherries. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Tips For the Best Shamrock Shake Pie
I don’t need any excuses to make something minty-green and sweet. Which is why I’ll probably make this for every major gathering this summer.
If you feel the same, check out these tips and tricks so your pie is the best it can be:
- Use cold milk. Cold, whole milk, to be specific. It’ll give you the best texture for the filling.
- Adjust mint flavor. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
- Choose gel coloring. For the most vibrant green color, go for gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- Skip the coloring. It will be a simple, white, minty pie without the coloring, perfect for any occasion.
- Variations to try. Experiment with different cookie crusts (like Oreos), add chocolate chips or fudge swirls to the filling, or top with chocolate sauce or green sprinkles for a fun twist.
How to Store
The filling for this pie needs a few hours to set, so it’s already a make-ahead dessert.
And whether you make it ahead or just have leftovers, you need to know how to store them!
To Store: Cover the whole pie with plastic or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Freeze the pie (or slices) until solid, then wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.
When ready to serve, remove the pie from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
More No-Bake Desserts to Try
Homemade Reese’s Bars
No Bake Cookies
Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie
Oreo Lasagna
Shamrock Shake Pie
8
servings10
minutes6
hours375
kcalThe next time you’re craving an iconic green shake, make this easy no-bake shamrock shake pie instead! It’s a fun, tasty treat the whole family will love.
Ingredients
12 graham crackers, crushed (or one 9-inch ready-made pie crust)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups cold milk
2 teaspoons mint extract
1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
whipped cream and maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers and brown sugar. Add the melted butter and stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie dish and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the cold milk with the mint extract and green food coloring. Add the pudding mixes and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and thick. Cover and chill for 5 minutes.
- Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture until well combined and smooth. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
- Refrigerate the pie for 4-6 hours (or overnight) or freeze for 2-3 hours. Before serving, let the pie sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Garnish with swirls of whipped cream and maraschino cherries. Slice and serve cold.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of mint extract to your taste, starting with less and adding more if needed.
- For the brightest green color, use gel food coloring rather than liquid.
- Press the crust in firmly so it holds together when sliced.
