A Grasshopper cake is a cool, minty dessert made with chocolate, mint, and cream. It gets its name from its green color and smooth, creamy texture that is said to resemble a grasshopper. Grasshopper cake has a few signature ingredients that give it its distinctive flavor. Let’s take a look at what goes into making this classic cake.
Main Ingredients
The main components of a Grasshopper cake are:
- Chocolate – Usually cocoa powder or melted chocolate is used to give the cake its chocolate flavor.
- Mint – Fresh mint or mint extract provides the cool, refreshing mint taste.
- Cream – Heavy cream gives the cake a lush, creamy texture.
- Cake – Yellow or chocolate cake baked into thin layers provides the base.
- Frosting – A mint-flavored buttercream or whipped cream frosting holds it all together.
Chocolate
Chocolate is essential for giving the Grasshopper cake its signature flavor. Typically, cocoa powder is used in the mint cream layers of the cake. Unsweetened cocoa powder provides a deep, dark chocolate taste without adding more sugar. In some recipes, melted chocolate can also be used. Semisweet or bittersweet chocolate gives the filling a more intense chocolate flavor. Using chocolate in the mint cream layers helps distinguish the cake from just mint ice cream.
Mint
Fresh mint and/or mint extract are used to give the cake its cool, refreshing mint flavor. Using fresh mint leaves results in a more aromatic, herbaceous mint flavor. Mint extract provides pure mint flavor convenience when fresh mint isn’t available. Other options for mint flavor include mint chocolate chips, mint liqueur like creme de menthe, or peppermint oil. The intensity of the mint flavor can be adjusted to taste preference.
Cream
Heavy cream or whipped cream gives Grasshopper cake its characteristic smooth, creamy texture. The high fat content of heavy cream allows it to be whipped into soft, billowy peaks that lighten the mint-chocolate mixture. Whipped cream stabilizers like gelatin or cornstarch are sometimes used to allow the cream to hold its shape in the assembled cake. The cream provides richness and moisture, contrasting with the crunchy chocolate cookies.
Cake Layers
Thin layers of chocolate or yellow cake provide the base and structure of Grasshopper cake. Chocolate cake pairs especially well with the mint and chocolate flavors. The cake is baked into thin sheets to allow for filling and frosting in between layers. Box cake mixes can be used for convenience. Homemade cakes made from scratch make the dessert even more impressive.
Frosting
Grasshopper cakes are filled and frosted with a mint-flavored buttercream or whipped cream frosting. Buttercream made with butter, powdered sugar, cream, and mint extract has a stability that supports decorating and piping details on the cake. Whipped cream frosting made with just heavy cream, powdered sugar, and mint is lighter but still helps adhere the layers. Cream cheese frosting is also a popular choice with tang that offsets the rich cake.
Other Common Ingredients
There are a few other components that can optionally be added to a Grasshopper cake recipe:
- Cookies/Crust – Crushed chocolate wafers or Oreo cookie pieces can be pressed into the pan to form a crunchy crust.
- Chocolate ganache – Melted chocolate and cream for drizzling over the cake.
- Crushed candy canes – For extra minty flavor and festive decoration.
- Green food coloring – A few drops helps give the icing or mint cream a grasshopper green color.
- Liqueur – Crema de menthe or other mint liqueurs can lend a boozy kick.
Ingredient Ratios
While ingredient amounts vary by recipe, some general guidelines for ratios when making a Grasshopper cake are:
- 1 cup chocolate (cocoa powder or melted chocolate) for every 3-4 cups whipped cream
- 1-2 tsp mint extract for every 3-4 cups whipped cream
- Equal parts heavy cream and powdered sugar when making whipped cream frosting
- 1 shot (1.5 oz) of creme de menthe or other mint liqueur per cup of whipped cream (optional)
For the cake layers, prepare your favorite chocolate or yellow cake recipe. Bake enough thin cake layers to fill your baking pan – anywhere from 2 to 4 layers depending on the height.
Steps to Make a Grasshopper Cake
Here is an overview of the key steps involved in assembling a Grasshopper cake:
- Prepare cake layers and allow to cool completely.
- Make the mint cream filling by whipping cream with mint extract, sugar, and cocoa powder or melted chocolate until firm peaks form.
- Make the frosting by whipping cream with powdered sugar and mint extract until spreadable consistency.
- Line the cake pan with plastic wrap.
- Spread a layer of frosting in pan bottom.
- Top with a layer of mint cream filling.
- Add a cake layer and press down gently.
- Spread more mint cream filling to cover cake.
- Repeat layering with remaining cake layers, mint filling, and frosting.
- Spread remaining frosting over the top and sides of the filled cake.
- Decorate top with chocolate shavings, crushed candy canes, etc.
- Refrigerate cake for at least 6 hours before slicing.
The careful layering of cake, frosting, and mint cream results in a showstopping cake with contrasting textures and cool minty flavor in each bite. Now that you know the key ingredients and steps, you can make this vintage dessert to serve on a hot day!
Common Questions About Grasshopper Cake
Is it better to use cake mix or homemade cake?
Either cake mix or homemade cake baked in thin layers works well for Grasshopper cake. The convenience of cake mix makes assembly easier. But homemade cake made from scratch can provide a more impressive, customized cake base to showcase the minty filling and frosting.
How long does the cake last in the fridge?
Properly stored, a Grasshopper cake will last 3-5 days refrigerated. The cream filling does not freeze well, so it’s best consumed within 5 days. Store cake covered in plastic wrap in the fridge.
Can I make Grasshopper cake in advance?
Yes, you can make Grasshopper cake 1-2 days in advance. Just prepare the recipe up until assembling the cake layers. Store the cake layers, mint filling, and frosting covered in the fridge. Then when ready, allow ingredients to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before assembling and decorating the complete cake.
Can I add liquor to the mint cream?
Mint liqueur like creme de menthe can certainly be added to the filling for extra flavor. Add around 1-2 tablespoons (up to 1 shot or 1.5 oz) of liqueur per cup of filling. The alcohol will inhibit the cream from fully whipping, so whipped cream stabilizers may be needed.
What kind of frosting is best?
Whipped cream or buttercream frostings complement Grasshopper cake best. Cream cheese frosting is also excellent. Avoid cakes with looser frostings like fluffy frosting that will not hold up well layered.
Unique Grasshopper Cake Ideas
While traditional Grasshopper cakes are layered, you can also get creative with unique serving styles:
- Icebox cake – Alternate layers of mint whipped cream and chocolate wafers in a pan. Refrigerate to set.
- Ice cream cake – Use storebought chocolate and mint chip ice cream layered in a pie dish instead of homemade fillings.
- Cake pops – Mix mint cream filling into crumbled chocolate cake to make bite-size pops on sticks.
- Shooters – Layer the mint cream and cake pieces into small glasses for individual mini grasshopper cakes.
- Push pop cakes – Fill white chocolate or cake pop molds with the filling and add sticks for handheld single serve cakes.
Let your imagination run wild coming up with fun and convenient ways to enjoy grasshopper cake flavors!
Substitutions for Grasshopper Cake
Missing an ingredient for Grasshopper cake? Here are some handy ingredient swaps:
| Ingredient | Substitution |
|---|---|
| Heavy cream | Whipped topping or non-dairy whipped cream |
| Mint extract | Peppermint extract, mint leaves, or mint chocolate chips |
| Cocoa powder | Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate |
| Yellow cake | White cake, angel food cake, or pound cake |
| Buttercream frosting | Cream cheese frosting |
With some simple ingredient tweaks, you can still achieve the classic grasshopper flavor combinations.
Storing and Serving Grasshopper Cake
To enjoy Grasshopper cake at its best, follow these storage and serving tips:
- Store tightly wrapped cake in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture.
- Use a serrated knife to cleanly cut chilled cake into slices.
- Serve cake slices with extra whipped cream if desired.
- Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in an airtight container.
- Freeze extra cake layers or mint cream filling separately for up to 3 months.
With its cool minty flavor and creamy texture, Grasshopper cake makes a perfect summer dessert or refreshing treat any time of year! Now that you know the ingredients and techniques, make this retro classic to share with friends and family.
Conclusion
Grasshopper cake is a timeless dessert made new again with its striking green color and cool, minty flavor. By layering chocolate cake, rich chocolate mint cream, and fresh whipped cream frosting, you can create a showstopping cake that lives up to its name. Creativity and quality ingredients like chocolate, fresh mint, and real whipped cream are key when crafting a sensational grasshopper cake. Whether enjoyed in traditional cake form or creative variations, grasshopper cake’s creamy refreshing mouthfeel makes a lasting impression.