Grasshopper cake in a jar is a quick and easy vegan cake for all mint chocolate lovers! All you need is a delicious chocolate cookie crumble cake layer and mint flavored vegan whipped cream. And if you want the cute color, I suggest adding some spirulina or matcha powder to the cream. As for the mint flavor, I’ve written about mint vs peppermint extract to help you decide which you want to use.
What is a Grasshopper Cake?
I admit, I had to google this 🙂 I knew Grasshopper Cake is a mint chocolate flavored mint green cake, but I actually didn’t know the name derives from a cocktail (I thought it was just because grasshoppers are green haha okay I feel a bit embarrased now).
Am I the only one who didn’t know this? Just in case you don’t know this either, the Grasshopper Cocktail contains:
- Crème de Menthe
- Crème de Cacao
- vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
So like the cocktail the original Grasshopper cake contains Creme de Menthe chocolate & mint candies by Andes Mints, which are not vegan. But luckily this flavor combo is easy to make vegan and at home too, with some flavored extract!
Mint vs Peppermint Extract
There are hundreds of mint varieties each having their unique scent and flavor, although some a similar. The mint varieties range from peppermint, spearmint and catmint to the more unique basil mint, licorice mint, lavender mint and many more (most of which I’ve never heard of).
The main difference between mint vs peppermint extract is the plants from where they derive. Peppermint is made from just peppermint whereas mint can be derived from a variety of edible mints. Commonly mint extract is a mixture of spearmint and peppermint.
When I think of spearmint only toothpaste comes to mind or then this xylitol gum we have here in Finland (which is my favorite!). But as a cake flavor…not so much. That’s why I don’t love it in baking and especially when combined with chocolate. My choice for grasshopper cake is thus Peppermint extract with just peppermint flavor.
How to Make Grasshopper Cake Layers?
Cake in a jar is the easiest way to make cake! No need to bake anything, just blend some cookies, chocolate and a few other ingredients to make delicious cookie cake layers.
Cookie Cake Layer
Here are my three methods for making Grasshopper cake layers, which I like to use both depending on what I have in the pantry.
- Make the cookie “crumble” yourself from scratch using nuts or seeds, oats, nut butter and chocolate as the main ingredients.
- Use graham cookies or digestive biscuits, chocolate and nut butter as the main ingredients.
- Use Oreo’s (or any chocolate vegan cookies), chocolate and coconut oil.
What I love about all of these is that you can make a slightly different cake layer each time you make this. And they all taste delicious!
Vegan Whipped Cream Layer
As for the vegan whipped cream, I think it is crucial to make it mint green! I recommend either a dash of spirulina powder or matcha powder. Chlorella powder or any green powder would be okay too, but the flavor might not be so good. Spirulina and matcha both go well with mint, and besides they are somewhat neutral too and you can’t really taste them.
Grasshopper Cake and Cherry Chocolate Cake
Grasshopper Cake Recipe
Cookie Crumble Cake Layer from Scratch
- 1/4 cups (about 30 grams) almonds
- 1/2 cups (about 45 grams) rolled oats
- 3 tbsp nut butter (I prefer almond or cashew)
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup or other liquid sweetener of choice
- 2 tsp coconut oil (optional, gives the crumble a bit firmer texture when chilled)
- 1/4 cups (or about 40-50 grams) vegan dark chocolate OR vegan dark mint chocolate
- pinch of salt
- ~1/8 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract or to taste
Cookie Crumble Cake Layer from Digestive Cookies / Graham Cookies
- 6 Digestive Cookies / Graham Cookies
- 2 tbsp nut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- optional: 1-2 tsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup (about 40 grams) vegan dark chocolate OR vegan dark mint chocolate
- ~1/8 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract
Cookie Crumble Cake Layer from Oreo Cookies
- 5 Oreo Cookies
- 1-2 tbsp coconut oil
- a few pieces (about 20 grams) of vegan dark chocolate OR vegan dark mint chocolate
- a pinch of salt
- ~1/8 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract
Blend everything in a food processor until you have a cookie crumble texture. Add more nut butter, coconut oil or maple syrup if the texture is not as desired. You can also add more mint or peppermint extract.
Vegan Whipped Cream Layer
- Use a heaped cup of any delicious vegan whipped cream you like. Also whipped coconut cream would work.
- ~1/4 tsp mint or peppermint extract or to taste
- ~1/8 tsp – 1/4 tsp spirulina powder or matcha powder, use as much as you need to get desired color
Layer cookie crumble cake layer and whipped cream layer.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I love cakes in a jar or cake parfaits. Here’s a selection if you want flavor inspiration:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake in a Jar
Chocolate Cherry Cake in a Jar
ps You can follow Myberryforest also on Pinterest!
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