There's just something that compels me to make green food for St. Patrick's Day. I came up with this St. Patrick's Day Dessert recipe years ago and am just getting the chance to finally post it! These delicious Shamrock Tarts are an easy green dessert that will take you 20 minutes to throw together.
Made with ready-made pie shells (or tart shells), white chocolate pudding, and whipped cream, they are easy and quick! These green tarts are ideal for taking along to a potluck or enjoying after a St. Paddy's Day meal of Reuben Soup or a Turkey Reuben Sandwich!
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If you're like me and LOVE holiday-themed food, you'll love this green St. Paddy's Day dessert! Green stuff for St. Patrick's Day is just plain FUN! Check out my other green desserts like these Easy Ice Cream Cupcakes and Pistachio Dessert Recipe!
🥤Shamrock Shake
I thought that these tarts tasted similar to the McDonald's Shamrock Shake I remember having as a kid. But it's been so long since I had one that I couldn't exactly remember what it tasted like. So... I went and bought one!
They're only available for a very limited time and I was lucky to catch that wave and nab a tester! It was also a chance for my kids to try it, as they've never had one either. And I'm happy to report these Shamrock Tarts are sooo much better than the milkshake and my kids agree. Believe me, they're a tough crowd. They taste like a mini shamrock shake pie.
🥘 Ingredient Notes
Mint Chocolate & Almond Flavor
I've never been a huge fan of mint or mint chocolate desserts, but mint and white chocolate is a game changer! However, it's the hint of almond that really makes this recipe rise above all other mint chocolate recipes in existence! You should try this flavor duo in my Green Grasshopper Mocktail - it's AMAZING!
When I made this several years ago, it was truly an experiment that went right; I was simply trying to make mint chocolate better. And wow did it ever work! I couldn't stop eating them. My husband said this is one of his very favorite things that I've ever made and I've made him A LOT of food over the 30+ years we've been together. So, if that's not a testimony to how good these are, I don't know what is~!
- Rolled pie crusts. I use Pillsbury brand.
- Instant white chocolate pudding mix. White chocolate pudding can be challenging to find in some stores, but you can easily find it online. Jell-O and Hersheys both make it.
- Whipping cream. Make sure you are using 33-36% fat.
- Green food coloring. Ideally, you'll want to use a gel food coloring for this. I use Wilton gel icing color.
- Green sparkling sugar (affiliate link). Green sparkling sugar works best, but you can use any green sprinkles.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Rolled pie crust- you can use frozen tart shells instead or make your own pie crust using my No Fail Pie Crust recipe.
- White Chocolate Pudding - you can use homemade white chocolate pudding or see FAQ's for another option.
🔪How to Make Shamrock Tarts
PREP:
1)Preheat oven to 450 degrees F/232 degrees C.
2) In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk and white chocolate pudding mix and mix for about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.
3) In a separate mixing bowl, whip the whipping cream to soft peaks, then add sugar. Whip to stiff peaks. Stir flavorings into the whipped cream, then mix in the white chocolate pudding. Add food coloring.
ASSEMBLY:
- Step 3: Unroll crust and flatten, then cut with cookie cutter * OR alternatively use regular tart shells and bake as per package directions
- Step 4: Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray. Press pie crust into muffin tins and poke with a fork a couple of times (on the bottom.)
- Step 5: Bake for 5-6 mins at 450 degrees F/232 degrees C or until lightly browned.
- Step 6: Fit a pastry bag with 1M tip, fill with filling, and fill each tart (or spoon in).
- Step 7: Sprinkle with green sparkling sugar or any green sprinkles
Recipe Tips
- Make Cutting Pie Dough Easier. Let refrigerated pie dough come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling—it prevents cracking.
- Get the Perfect Green Color. Use gel food coloring for a vibrant green without altering the texture. Wilton and AmeriColor brands work well. If using liquid food coloring, add a drop at a time to avoid making the filling too runny.
- Prevent Soggy Tart Shells. Bake the tart shells until they are golden brown and crisp to prevent them from getting soggy when filled. You can also brush the baked shells with melted white chocolate before adding the filling to create a moisture barrier.
- Achieve a Light & Fluffy Filling. Use cold heavy whipping cream (33-36% fat) for the best texture. Warm cream won’t whip properly. Whip the cream to stiff peaks before folding it into the pudding for an extra airy filling. Chill the filling for at least 30 minutes before piping to help it hold its shape.
👪 Serving Size
This green tart recipe makes 18 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🌡️Storage
Store the tart shells separately from the filling. The shells can be stored in an airtight sealed container at room temperature for a week. The filling should be stored in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The tart shells will freeze for up to 3 months, but the filling does not stand up well to freezing.
❔Recipe FAQ's
If white chocolate pudding mix is unavailable, you can substitute vanilla pudding mix and mix in 4 ounces of melted white chocolate.
Yes! You can prepare the tart shells in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The filling can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. However, it's best to assemble the tarts just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
For extra flair, you can top them with whipped cream, additional green sprinkles, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate.
So, if you're looking for St. Patrick's Day sweets, then you'll love this easy recipe!
☘️More St. Patrick's Day Desserts
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Shamrock Tarts - St. Patrick's Day Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 -9 inch (23 cm round) rolled pie crusts - I use Pillsbury * or simply use frozen tart shells
- 32 g -pkg of instant white chocolate pudding mix
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon green food coloring * add more or less to achieve the color you want
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Garnish
- Green sparkling sugar or any green sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F/232 degrees C.
- Unroll crust and flatten, then cut with cookie cutter * or alternatively use regular tart shells as per package directions2 -9 inch (23 cm round) rolled pie crusts - I use Pillsbury
- Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray. Press pie crust into muffin tins and poke with fork a couple of times (on the bottom.)
- Bake for 5-6 minutes in prepared oven or until lightly browned.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk and white chocolate pudding mix and mix for about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.32 g -pkg of instant white chocolate pudding mix, 1 ¼ cup milk
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip the whipping cream to soft peaks, then add sugar. Whip to stiff peaks.1 ½ cups whipping cream, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Stir flavorings into the whipped cream, then mix in the white chocolate pudding. Add food coloring.¼ teaspoon almond extract, ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract, 1 teaspoon green food coloring
- Fit pastry bag with 1M tip, fill with filling and fill each tart( or spoon in).
Garnish
- Sprinkle with green sparkling sugar or any green sprinklesGreen sparkling sugar or any green sprinkles
Notes
- Make Cutting Pie Dough Easier. Let refrigerated pie dough come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling—it prevents cracking.
- Get the Perfect Green Color. Use gel food coloring for a vibrant green without altering the texture. Wilton and AmeriColor brands work well. If using liquid food coloring, add a drop at a time to avoid making the filling too runny.
- Prevent Soggy Tart Shells. Bake the tart shells until they are golden brown and crisp to prevent them from getting soggy when filled. You can also brush the baked shells with melted white chocolate before adding the filling to create a moisture barrier.
- Achieve a Light & Fluffy Filling. Use cold heavy whipping cream (33-36% fat) for the best texture. Warm cream won’t whip properly. Whip the cream to stiff peaks before folding it into the pudding for an extra airy filling. Chill the filling for at least 30 minutes before piping to help it hold its shape.
Marsha
I am going to make these for St. Patrick's Day dinner. Can you tell me what the size of the pudding is. Is it a small box or large box? Also are these made in a regular muffin pan or a mini-muffin pan.
Thanks
Terri Gilson
Hi Marsha,
That is a small box of pudding and they are made in a regular muffin tin (NOT a mini).
Enjoy!
Terri
Sabrina
These are so adorable, fun and easy! A great recipe for my daughter to help with too, thanks!
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Sabrina!
Bernice Hill
Would you believe I have never also never had a Shamrock Shake?! I had no idea what flavour they were. These little tarts looks just perfect for St. Patrick's Day.
Ayngelina
I was just thinking I should try a Shamrock shake again. I also haven't had one since I was a kid. Or if your tarts are better maybe I'll just make these!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
These are SO fun for St. Patrick's Day! I love the green. So festive!!