Home » Dessert Recipes » Easy Grasshopper Cake (+Video)

Easy Grasshopper Cake (+Video)

Grasshopper Cake is a green, minty cake with chocolate fudge and whipped cream topping sprinkled with Andes Creme de Menthe pieces. So good!

PERFECT FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY (OR ANY DAY!)

This particular cake takes me back to my childhood. This yummy, minty grasshopper cake first made its way into my mouth some time during the early 80’s. Cake mixes had been around for a while and by the time the 70’s & 80’s rolled around, folks were doing all kinds of amazing things with them.

a slice of green cake with a bite removed shown on a white plate and topped with chocolate candies.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why is it called grasshopper cake?

It is named after the famed green Grasshopper drink that uses creme de menthe in the recipe. There is also a Grasshopper Pie that is also inspired by the drink!

Can I just use peppermint extract.

No.

  • Mint extract is needed. Not peppermint. Mint extract is a combination of peppermint and spearmint extracts. It makes a difference here.
  • Can this be made into a layer cake?

  • I haven’t tried making this as a layered cake and I have my doubts it would work properly. If definitely won’t work as a bundt cake. If you decide to test it as a layer cake, please let me know how it turns out for you!
  • What if I can’t find Andes mint chocolate baking chips?

    Just chop up some Andes chocolate candies. They can be found near the other chocolate candy.

    The hot fudge sauce is hard to spread, what do I do?

    If the hot fudge sauce is hard to spread at room temperature, try putting it in the microwave (with the lid removed) for about 15-20 seconds. Stir it with a spoon until you get it to a spreadable consistency. You don’t want it to be hot and liquid-y. It should still be a thick but spreadable consistency. Make sure your fudge layer is completely cool before adding whipped topping.

    Does grasshopper cake need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, because of the Cool Whip whipped topping, it does need to be stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    slice of mint green cake on a small white plate.

    INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

    • white (or vanilla) cake mix
    • ingredients called for on cake mix box; egg whites, oil and water
    • mint extract
    • green food color
    • hot fudge topping
    • whipped topping (COOL WHIP)
    • Andes Creme de Menthe chocolate candies
    white cake mix, hot fudge sauce, Andes creme de menthe chocolates, whipped topping, mint extract, green food coloring.

    HOW TO MAKE GRASSHOPPER CAKE:

    Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9″x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Make cake mix per the directions on the back of the box. Stir in 2 teaspoons of the mint extract.

    prepared batter in a bowl with mint extract.

    Then stir in green food coloring. I wanted it really green so I added about 50 drops of color. 

    green food coloring added to batter with an electric mixer.

    Pour batter into baking dish and cook for time listed on back of cake mix box. Once it is finished baking, allow the cake to cool completely.

    green batter poured into a greased, white 9x13 baking pan.

    Spread hot fudge sauce on cooled cake.

    hot fudge sauce spread onto cooled, prepared cake.

    For the next layer, add in 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract and green food coloring (about 6-10 drops) to the whipped topping. Stir it up. If you’d like, you can add in more green food coloring until you’ve reached the desired color.

    cool whip, mint extract, green food coloring mixed together in a bowl.

    Spread whipped topping onto cake. Then sprinkle with chopped creme de menthe candies.

    slice, green mint grasshopper cake topped with Andes creme de menthe chocolate pieces.

    This cake will need to be stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Easy Grasshopper Cake slices served with milk.

    CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

    Originally Published: March 2012
    Updated and republished: January 2019

    Easy Cake Mix Green Grasshopper Cake recipe, perfect for St. Patrick's Day

    Easy Grasshopper Cake (+Video)

    Grasshopper Cake is a green, minty cake with chocolate fudge and whipped cream topping sprinkled with Andes Creme de Menthe pieces. So good (and easy!)
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 12

    Ingredients

    • 15.25 ounce box white (or vanilla) cake mix
    • ingredients called for on cake mix box: egg whites, oil and water
    • 2 ½ teaspoons mint extract, divided use
    • green food color
    • 16 ounce jar hot fudge topping
    • 8 ounce container whipped topping (COOL WHIP), thawed
    • handful Creme de Menthe chocolate candies, chopped into pieces

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9"x 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Make cake mix per the directions on the back of the box.
    • Add in 2 teaspoons of mint extract and food color (about 50 drops) to the cake batter and stir well until combined.
    • Pour batter into baking dish and cook for time listed on back of cake mix box.
    • Once it is finished baking, allow the cake to cool completely.
    • Spread hot fudge sauce on cooled cake.
    • For the next layer, add in 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract and green food coloring (about 6-10 drops) to the whipped topping. You don't actually need a separate bowl for this. Just mix it right in the container of Cool Whip.
    • Stir it up. Spread whipped topping onto cooled cake.
    • Sprinkle with chopped Andes creme de menthe chocolate candies.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    • Mint extract is needed. Not peppermint. Mint extract is a combination of peppermint and spearmint extracts. It makes a difference here.
    • Natural food colorings can be used.
    • I haven’t tried making this as a layered cake so I can’t say if that would work with this recipe. If you try it, please let me know.
    • This cake definitely would not work well as a bundt cake.
    • White or vanilla cake mix would work with this
    • Use a nonstick spray that has flour in it – like Baker’s Joy.
    • If you can’t find the Andes mint chocolate baking chips, just crush up some Andes chocolate candies.
    • If the hot fudge sauce is hard to spread at room temperature, try putting it in the microwave (with the lid removed) for about 15-20 seconds. Stir it with a spoon until you get it to a spreadable consistency. You don’t want it to be hot and liquid-y. It should still be a thick but spreadable consistency. Make sure your fudge layer is completely cool before adding whipped topping.
    • This cake will need to be stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 315mg | Sugar: 19g

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    “The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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    Recipe Rating




    35 Comments

    1. 5 stars
      I made this cake for Easter and I thought it was delicious! My kids loved it, it was not very sweet I thought. It baked up nicely, except I think next time I will use two boxes of cake mix. Thank you for sharing this awesome dessert with us! Love, Love, Loved it!

      Mom of Triplet boys!

    2. 5 stars
      about to go to wally world to get these ingredients for this weekend!i'm sure it will be awesome,just like every other recipe:)i would just like to say thank you,brandie for your website.you are such a sweetheart and your meals have been such a hit with my family.i've been on a country cook rampage this week and they have just gobbled every thing up!the poke cakes have been a revelation and you've really encouraged me to use store brands.they're totally just as good!so thank ya,girlfriend and big hugs:)

    3. Thanks for sharing! I love those mints, I keep them in the freezer(dont tell the husband)
      New follower!

    4. This looks awesome, and I know my granddaughters will love the color! Not to mention that mint chocolate chip is a favorite ice cream flavor around here. I'm going to make this soon, but a little closer to St. Patrick's Day. Not fond of corned beef and cabbage, but I can sure get into cake!!

    5. Absolutely can't wait to try this on my family for St. Patrick's Day! All your recipes look wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

    6. 5 stars
      My grandmother and mother have made this cake for me for my birthday for years. It's one of my favorites. The only difference is that they use Creme DeMenthe liquor instead of the extract and food coloring. It is amazing!

    7. Gonna make this cake! Kind of on the expensive side now that I bought all the ingredients but I bet it will be well worth it!

    8. So, I may or may not have invited people over for dinner JUST so I could make this cake. Haha. 🙂

      Thank you for sharing. My two year old daughter loves to help me with things like this and we frequently come to your blog to check out what we can do with the boxed cake mix because it's so easy yet looks like we slaved hours over it!

    9. 5 stars
      Gorgeous Yummy cake! I've had Grasshopper pie, but I never had Grasshopper cake, till mow. Perfect for St. Patty's day!

    10. 5 stars
      This is the first time I've ever seen a grasshopper cake. Being that I love the mint/chocolate combination this ones right up my alley!

    11. I love this recipe, it's no fuss and looks sinfully delish! I'm defitnely making this. Have a blessed day.

    12. I love this recipe! it's no fuss and looks sinfully delish! I'm going to make this cake. Thanks, have a blessed day!

    13. 5 stars
      Thanks, Brandie…you are the BEST! Love all your recipes, and the way you try to make things easier as well as taste and look good! Will make this for the office for St. Patrick's Day!

    14. You are the Master of cake recipes…I think I'll start calling you the CAKE BOSS! =) Lovely recipe – I just used my mint chips to make cookies. This is perfect for St. Patty's day!

    15. The recipe calls for 2 1/2 tsp. of mint extract. Did I miss something as I see only 1/2tsp that is added to the whippied topping? Where is the rest of it added? Definitely going to make this. Thanks

    16. 5 stars
      This is SO right up my alley! I love grasshopper pie, but this is so different, that I HAVE to try it, right?

      Thanks for sharing!

    17. 5 stars
      You have turned my two favorite ice cream into cakes….. first chubby hubby and now mint chocolate chip…. YUMMY…can't wait to try this one…you are the BEST, just incase you haven't been told that this morning!