St. Patrick's Day Recipes | Leigh Anne Wilkes | St. Patrick's Day Ideas

Mint Oreo Brownies

Leigh Anne Wilkes — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Mint Oreo Brownies have it all! A chewy brownie base, covered in creamy mint frosting and then topped with mint sandwich cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Mint Goodness: If you are a mint lover these mint Oreo brownies are perfection – mint extract mint chips and mint Oreos!

Perfect Flavor Combo: The pairing of chocolate and mint is sure to please all you mint chocolate lovers!

Ingredients Needed

Fudge Brownies Mix. I am a fan of the Betty Crocker extra fudgy brownie mix. You will also need all the ingredients called for on back of box. Usually includes eggs, water and oil.
Marshmallow creme, one jar
Mint extract
Green food color
Mint baking chips or white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips.
Mint creme filled chocolate sandwich cookies, you want to chop them.
Butter. I use salted butter
Powdered sugar
Milk. Use whatever milk you have on hand, can also use heavy whipping cream or half and half.

How to Make Mint Oreo Brownies

Mix up the brownie mix according to the directions on the back of the box in a bowl.
Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper to make it easier to remove and cut the brownies. You can also spray it with non stick baking spray if not using parchment paper.
Pour brownie batter into prepared pan.
Mix together marshmallow cream, 1/4 tsp mint extract and 4-5 drops of green food coloring.
Drop the marshmallow mixture onto the top of the brownies in 6 even scoops.

Swirl. Take a knife and swirl the marshmallow mixture through the brownie layer, using an S shape motion.
Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. After the brownies have baked and cooled they are ready to frost with a combination of yummy buttercream.
Frosting. While the brownies are baking, mix up your frosting. If you can’t find mint chocolate chips, use white chocolate chips. Melt the chocolate in the microwave and cool slightly. Add into frosting. Add mint extract to taste and food coloring.
Chop the Oreos with knife.

Cool brownies. Once the brownies have cooled, frost and top with a layer of mint oreo cookies broken into pieces.

These Mint Oreo Brownies are pure mint decadence. Enough green to make any Leprechaun proud and keep you from getting pinched and a great way to get more green into your diet!

Tips from leigh Anne

If you prefer, you can use your favorite homemade brownie recipe instead of a boxed brownie mix. I find that a fudgy brownie recipe works better than a more cake like recipe.
If you aren’t a mint fan you can make a non mint version by using vanilla extract instead of mint extract, add in milk chocolate or white chocolate chips and use regular Oreos on top instead of mint Oreos.
If you don’t have a microwave to melt the chocolate, you can use a double broiler on your stove top.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store leftover mint oreo brownies?

Slow Cooker Corned Beef

Leigh Anne Wilkes — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Slow Cooker Corned Beef is the easiest way to make corned beef. It turns out tender and delicious every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Making your slow cooker corned beef is not only easy but you end up with a nice tender, tear apart piece of meat and it is so simple to do.

It is also a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without having to eat green food! I like green food but I don’t like food that is green that is not suppose to be green (i.e., eggs, potatoes, pancakes etc.)

What is Corned Beef?

Corned Beef is a salt cured beef product and probably became popular in the 17th century when they began curing meat with salt. For me, corned beef is more like ham than it is like beef. It has the salty flavor and similar texture. It is also known as corned beef brisket.

Flat Cut Vs. Point Cut

Corned Beef is usually available in two different cuts, flat cut and point cut. Which should you use?

After a little research I discovered that a flat cut corned beef was the way to go. It is easier to find and it is lean and when cooked properly, it is tender and flavorful. Sliced across the grain, the slices of corned beef are fantastic for sandwiches the next day, or they can be diced for a wonderful meal of corned beef hash. A Point Cut, looks like it’s name, it comes to a point at the end.

Ingredients Needed

Corned Beef. I used a flat cut. You will also use the pickling spice packet that comes with it.
Veggies. Carrots, Red Potatoes, Onion and cabbage is optional
Beef Broth.

How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef

Place the corned beef in the slow cooker and sprinkle with the seasoning packet it comes with. Add in 4 cups of beef broth.
Turn your slow cooker onto low for 8-9 hours.

Add the potatoes and carrots halfway through the cooking time. This prevents them from over cooking and getting too mushy. To make it more authentic, you could also add in some cabbage. I don’t care for cabbage and care even less for the way it smells while it is cooking. The smell takes me back to those days when the school cafeteria fixed it! Don’t add the cabbage until the last hour though if you are going to use it.

Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker and slice it like you would a brisket. It will be nice and tender and basically pull apart.

My Corned Beef didn’t come with a spice packet!

You can use pickling spice in place of the spice packet which is available in the spice aisle or make your own spice mixture using the following:

2 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoon peppercorns
1 teaspoon anise seeds
4 large bay leaves
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Put coriander seeds, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and anise seeds in a hot skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, you want to be able to smell the spices. Add in the bay leaves and red pepper flakes and stir together for about 30 seconds. Put the mixture into a blender or small food processor and pulse a few times to release the flavors.
Use about 2 Tbsp of the mixture.

Pair this with

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do with leftovers?

Shamrock Shake

Leigh Anne Wilkes — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000

All you need are four ingredients to recreate this McDonald’s copycat Shamrock Shake – it’s faster than going through the drive thru and you don’t have to wait all year long for it’s yearly appearance!!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Need something green for dessert for your St. Paddy’s dinner? Today’s post for a McDonald’s Copycat Shamrock Shake Recipe may be just the ticket! It’s been my secret little addiction lately. I am not a McDonald’s fan, except for their Diet Coke and this shake. Although, since I figured out how to make Shamrock Shakes at home, I don’t need to wait for them to show up at McDonald’s each year. And I think the version I make at home is so much better too! I’m still a fan of McDonald’s Diet Coke though!!

What is a Shamrock Shake?

It is a seasonal mint flavored, green colored shake that has been sold at McDonald’s restaurants for over 50 years! Customers wait all year for Shamrock Shake season too begin around St. Patrick’ Day! The good news is it is super easy to make at home with this copycat recipe so you don’t have to wait.

Ingredients Needed

Vanilla Ice Cream
Milk. I use 2 percent
Mint Extract. You can also use mint syrup.
Green food coloring. I prefer gel food coloring.

Tips

I like my milkshakes thick so I use a 2:1 ice cream to milk ratio. Adjust according to your personal preference.

How to Make a Shamrock Shake

Add all of the ingredients into your blender and blend. You won’t need the food coloring if you use the mint syrup.
Pour in additional milk to make the shake thinner and more ice cream to make it thicker.

Add some whipped cream on top and some green sprinkles to add a festive touch.

Of course you you can add some maraschino cherries on top, even if you don’t eat the cherry, it looks so pretty!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much mint syrup should I use?

Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie

Leigh Anne Wilkes — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie is an easy and delicious dessert. A chocolate cookie crust filled with mint ice cream and topped with hot fudge, Cool Whip and cookies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!I

Whether you are searching for a great dessert recipes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or you love a good mint flavor, you are going to love this grasshopper ice cream pie!!

It comes together in minutes with only a handful of ingredients! It is full of mint chocolate goodness, and it is a crowd favorite.

Why is it Grasshopper Pie?

It is named after a sweet after-dinner drink served in Louisiana in the early 1900’s. Philibert Guichet originated the drink, and called it a grasshopper because of the green color from the creme de menthe that mimics the color of the insect.

Now it is a term used to refer to all kinds of green mint treats. There is usually some chocolate involved too.

Ingredients Needed

Chocolate cookie crust
Mint chocolate chip ice cream
Hot fudge sauce
Mint-flavored Oreo Cookies
Cool Whip topping

How to Make Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie

Fill cookie crust with mint chip ice cream.
Cover top with desired amount of Cool Whip.
Place cookies in a plastic freezer bag and use a rolling pin to break up the cookies.
Cover top with chopped cookies.

Drizzle with hot fudge sauce and garnish with some additional cookies.
Place in the freezer until firm and ready to serve.

Tips and Tricks

I used a store bought cookie crust but you can certainly make a homemade Oreo crust. Use my graham cracker crust recipe and substitute in mint oreo cookie crumbs for graham crackers.
Fill the cookie crust with your favorite mint ice cream. Now not all mint ice creams are created equal and some are white. Be sure and pick a green colored ice cream if you are using this for St. Patrick’s Day.
Let your ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if it is hard. It will make it easier to scoop into the crust.
If you are using a store bought cookie crust, use the plastic liner that comes with it, turn it upside down and place it over the ice cream pie before putting it back into the freezer.
For a homemade hot fudge sauce recipe try our family’s favorite one! It’s my mom’s recipe and it’s the best!!
To make slicing the grasshopper ice cream pie easier, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to slightly soften.

Then you know what to do! Enjoy it and if you feel like sharing, that would be nice too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Leigh Anne Wilkes — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000

This homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream is creamy, refreshing and delicious. Add in chocolate chips or your favorite chocolate mint candy.

Our family is a divided camp when it comes to mint. Some of us love it, some of us don’t. I am absolutely camp mint and don’t mind that some family members don’t like it because that just means more mint chip ice cream for me!

There is something so refreshing about mint in ice cream and it is perfect when combined with chocolate.

Ingredients Needed

Heavy Cream
Whole Milk
Half and Half. Half and half is a combination of whole milk and whipping cream that is popular in the US. If you don’t have half and half, just use more whipping cream and whole at a 1:1 ratio.
Sugar
Salt
Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract for best flavor.
Mint Syrup or Mint Extract. For this recipe I have used mint syrup The Green Mint flavor can be difficult to find but you can get it on Amazon. If you can’t find it you can always use mint extract and some green food coloring.
Andes Mints. Can also use mint chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips.

How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Whisk together sugar, pinch of salt, milk, whipping cream and half and half in a large bowl.
Add in mint syrup or mint extract to taste. I prefer using mint syrup which you can get on Amazon.

Pour mixture into ice cream maker and process according to manufacturers instructions.

About half way through the processing time, add in chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. If you are using chocolate cookies add those in when the ice cream is almost done processing so that they don’t totally dissolve into the ice cream.
After it is done processing, pour ice cream into an insulated container or loaf pan and freeze to allow it to harden.

Tips

For the chocolate part of this ice cream you can get creative and add in Oreos, Chocolate Wafer Cookies, Thin Mints, or any other chocolate cookie or candy.
If using extract, make sure to get mint extract and not peppermint extract.

St. Patrick's Day Recipes | Leigh Anne Wilkes | St. Patrick's Day Ideas

Mint Oreo Brownies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

Ingredients Needed

How to Make Mint Oreo Brownies

Tips from leigh Anne

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store leftover mint oreo brownies?

Slow Cooker Corned Beef

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What is Corned Beef?

Flat Cut Vs. Point Cut

Ingredients Needed

How to Make Slow Cooker Corned Beef

My Corned Beef didn’t come with a spice packet!

Pair this with

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do with leftovers?

Shamrock Shake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

What is a Shamrock Shake?

Ingredients Needed

Tips

How to Make a Shamrock Shake

Frequently Asked Questions

How much mint syrup should I use?

Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!I

Why is it Grasshopper Pie?

Ingredients Needed

How to Make Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie

Tips and Tricks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Ingredients Needed

How to Make Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will homemade ice cream last in the freezer?