This cake has happy childhood memories written all over it. When Mom would make Judi’s Creme de Menthe Cake, it didn’t matter the season, it always felt like a holiday.
My mom was always known for having some Chocolate Mint Brownies stashed away in the freezer. For emergencies, ya know. That flavor combo is still one of her favorites, and I can’t help but think of her every time I see it. So it comes as no surprise that this cake, a recipe she got from our farm neighbor and friend, Judi Fritz, was made quite often at our house.
- recipe card from Judi
Mom still makes this cake from the recipe card Judi gave her all those years ago.
Perfect for the Christmas season or for St. Patrick’s Day (or absolutely any time, according to my mom!), this easy and beautiful layered dessert, in all its Creme de Menthe and fudgy goodness, is always a hit.
Ingredients
- 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist White Cake Mix with pudding in the mix
- 1-1/4 c. water
- 1/3 c. vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites
- 4 oz. Creme de Menthe (liqueur or syrup...I much prefer the liqueur!)
- 1 16-oz. jar hot fudge topping (I like Mrs. Richardson's brand.)
- 1 8-oz. container Cool Whip, thawed
- 2 oz. Creme de Menthe
- chopped Andes Mints for garnish, optional
Preparation
The cake photos in this post show this cake made with 2 jars of hot fudge topping. It was something of an experiment for me, as I always love that layer best. But it turns out that I didn't like the cake better because of the additional fudge. It was too much fudge for me and our girls. But not for my husband. So I will leave that decision up to you...if you REALLY like fudge a whole lot, go ahead and use 2 jars of fudge. But I recommend sticking with Judi's original recipe of using just 1 jar.
Preheat oven to 350° for shiny metal or glass pan, or to 325° for dark or nonstick pan. Spray the bottom only of 9'' x 13'' pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites on low speed for 30 seconds, then on medium speed for 2 minutes more. Scrape the bowl occasionally. Batter will be a bit lumpy. Stir in the Creme de Menthe. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 27 to 32 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Be careful to not over bake, as it will end up dry. Cool completely.
Gently spread the fudge topping evenly over the cake. In a medium bowl, stir together the Cool Whip and 2 ounces Creme de Menthe. Spread mixture evenly over the fudge. If desired, garnish with chopped Andes Mints. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Source
One of my favorite cakes as a kid, adapted ever so slightly from the recipe box of Judi Fritz.
I’m linking up with the following:
- Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (Printable Kitchen Conversion Charts)
- Allison at Alli ‘n Son for Sweet Tooth Friday (Homemade Chocolate Syrup)
- Sheila at Eat 2 Gather for Meals 4 Sharing Friday (Pinterest Finds)
- Lindy at Itsy Bitsy Paper for St. Patty’s Day Project Parade
- Robyn at Add a Pinch for Mingle Monday (You Are My Sunshine)
This has got to be the prettiest grasshopper cake ever! Awesome recipe.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Swiss Cheese Spinach and Mushroom Quiche with Crispy Potato Crust
Thank you so much, Katrina!
Fun cake for St. Patrick’s Day!
Maria recently posted..Sushi Salad
I love this recipe. I hope you will stop by and link up to my St. Patty’s Day Project Parade.
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/03/st-pattys-day-project-parade-linky.html
Thanks, Lindy!
We are hosting bible study at our house shortly before St. Patrick’s Day and this looks like the perfect dessert to serve. Our bible study always begins with an hour of eating and socializing…
Minnesota Prairie Roots recently posted..Another chapter finished in the book of parenting
Hi, Audrey! I hope you and your group like it – it’s perfect for the month of March!
My bible study group loved this cake. I was passing out the recipe.
Mine didn’t look quite as pretty as yours, though. The whipped cream topping wasn’t as smooth. Any tip to making the topping smooth and creamy?
Minnesota Prairie Roots recently posted..Take this weather, California
Oh, I just love this cake for so many reasons!! First of all, it’s STUNNING (great photography doesn’t hurt either!) yet it sounds so easy to make. I love that it has the chocolate/mint combo – one of my faves. But mostly I just love that recipe card and that it’s been around for so many years. My mom has a lot of recipe cards that she still uses, too, and there’s just something so special about them.
Can’t wait to make this cake!!
the wicked noodle recently posted..chocolate espresso pots de creme
Thanks, Kristy! I just can’t let go of a few special recipe cards, even after putting the recipes on this blog. I love to look at the handwriting from special people in my life!
I LOVE the picture of the recipe card. This cake looks amazing. Thanks for sharing it at Meals 4 Sharing Fridays!
Sheila recently posted..Meals 4 Sharing Fridays: Pinterest finds
Thank you, Sheila!
I love Andes mints and this cake is so pretty looking…great treat for St. Paddy’s Day for sure but I’m with your Mom, perfect anytime!
Paula recently posted..The Lorax© Cookies
Hi Paula – thank you!
I absolutely love the different shades of green in this cake. You made it look absolutely perfect!
Becca- Cookie Jar Treats recently posted..Lily’s Scones v 2.0
Thanks, Becca! It is a pretty cake with the different layers. I also love the variety of textures when eating it, too.
What a delicious, pretty cake. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Happy Friday!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids recently posted..Happiness Is…Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Thank you, Natalie! Hope you had a great weekend!
My goodness what a gorgeously scrumpious cake! Seriously, it is one of prettiest cakes I have seen lately.
Avril recently posted..FRESH Raspberry Crumb Bars
Thank you so much, Avril. And the best part is that it’s so easy to make!!
I think old recipes are the BEST! I have some handwritten recipe cards from my Grandma Nini that are such a treasure to me. This cake looks so good and I too LOVE chocolate and mint together. Thanks for sharing this treasured recipe of yours.
Kim | At Home With Kim recently posted..Link Love
Hi, Kim! I have recipe cards that I know I’ll never throw – treasures, indeed!
Looks nice! Its so cute that you still use an old recipe card, I still have my nans old recipe cards from years ago that I still use – it makes it all that more authentic.
Harriet recently posted..Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
This looks delicious Brenda! I love anything chocolate and mint!
Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/diy-for-the-house/
Have a great weekend!
TidyMom recently posted..I’m Lovin’ It {Wrap Up} DIY for the House & St. Patty’s Day Ideas
I’m a big fan of mint-anything…the colors look so beautiful too. Love the old recipe card and the history to all this.
Thank you so much, Brandie – and thanks for sharing on twitter, I appreciate it! Have a great week!
This looks fantastic…:)
Thank you!!
Ha! I have some brownies in the freezer for those… emergencies as well.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Moleskine Passions Journal Review and Giveaway | Open Worldwide (Total Worth $120)
I’m hosting my best friend’s baby shower in May and our colors are going to be yellow and green. This is going to be perfect transferred to cupcakes!
Kim recently posted..Tuesday BONUS: OhHayMike
Sounds like a great plan, Kim!
Wow, I love what you’ve done with the place! I have blog envy!
This cake looks so great. It’s almost to pretty to eat. It’s a good thing that it is at your house and not at mine.
Thank you, Terri! It’s been fun settling into my new home.
Wow that looks fabulous! I’ve had grasshopper pie and mint chocolate chip cake, but never grasshopper cake. Beautiful!
Amanda recently posted..Braided Blackberry Breakfast Danish
I have a question about this cake… It looks like you just added half a cup of creme de menthe instead of substituting it for some of the water in the cake. Doesn’t this make it too much liquid? I’m going to attempt it tomorrow with a homemade cake, but I’m concerned.
Hi Kim! I made the cake exactly how the recipe is written on a farmgirl’s dabbles. It is not too much liquid…works great!
Looks so good!
However, I am having a hard time finding the Creme de Menthe syrup. I do not want to get the liqueur. Any suggestions where to find the syrup? Or is there a way to make a substitute…I have mint or peppermint extract? I have not seen the syrup for 10-15 years! Hoping to make this tonight.
Thank you!
Hello Kim! I found the syrup with the ice cream toppings at the grocery store. Just ask your grocer’s customer service, they should be able to tell you where it’s at. I bought some awhile ago, to make ice cream grasshopper drinks, and found it very sweet & syrupy, not quite what I remembered from being a kid. But maybe my taste buds have just matured?!!! Anyway…I found a little different version of this cake on the Betty Crocker site: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/grasshopper-fudge-cake/3645bc77-fd32-41d0-8631-8b09956351e0 – they use mint extract and green food coloring, and only make a portion of the cake batter into green mint. Hope that helps!
Wow! That looks yummy!!
)
Looks like Heaven!
I just reposted on my blog, thanks for sharing!
I made this the other day for a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon and everyone loved it. My mom has already requested 2 for Mother’s Day and 1 for my cousins birthday. Thank you for sharing this!
Yay – I’m glad your family liked it, too!! Thanks, Anel!
What a lovely recipe. I am going to make this for my family for St. Patty’s Day! Quick question… How long do you let the hot fudge sit on the cake before adding the cool whip mixture? Do you recommend refrigerating the hot fudge as it sets prior to adding the cool whip mixture? Thanks for your help!
Hi Melissa! You can top the fudge (straight from the jar, not warmed up) immediately with Cool Whip. No need to wait. Hope you like it!
I made this for a St. Patrick’s Day gathering held this evening – it was a BIG hit. Thank you!