Creme De Menthe Cake

This recipe will show you how to make a mint flavored cake using Creme de Menthe liquor. This consists of a cake made from any white batter with added Creme de Menthe and covered in a whipped cream and Creme de Menthe frosting to enhance the minty flavor. I've often heard this cake called a "Grasshopper cake", but I disagree with this title, as the cake does not contain Creme de Cacao like the beverage. The flavor is closer to an Andes mint, and is the perfect dessert to follow most dinners. Anyone who can make a cake from a box should be able to complete this recipe. It should take about an hour and a half to complete the cake, and it must be refrigerated an additional hour before serving.

Note: Despite the cake containing liquor, you will not have to worry about guests becoming intoxicated by consuming this cake. All alcohol in the cake will bake out, and the alcohol concentration in the frosting is very low. Unless a guest consumes the entire cake with all of the frosting, there is little chance that the alcohol will have any effect. Keep in mind, however, that you still must be 21 years old to purchase Creme de Menthe.

For this cake, you will need:

• 1 box of white cake mix and its required ingredients according to the instructions on the package

Note: For these instructions, I am using a mix that requires 1 1/4 cups of water, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, and three eggs. These ingredients will vary with each cake mix brand.

• 1/3 cup of Creme de Menthe Liquor

• 1 8 oz. tub of whipped cream (not canned)

• 1 jar of hot fudge ice cream topping

• 1 large mixing bowl

• 1 spatula or large serving spoon

• Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies (optional)

Prepare the cake as directed. In this case, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, and water into your large mixing bowl and mix the batter until ingredients are combined evenly. After the batter is mixed, add about four tablespoons of the Creme de Menthe until the batter has turned completely green.

Note: You can add more Creme de Menthe as desired, but be aware that adding even a small amount will drastically alter the flavor of the cake.

Note: Baking instructions will vary by brand. Alter the instructions in this step according to your box's instructions.

1. Pour your cake batter from the mixing bowl into a 13" x 9" baking pan.

2. Bake at 325 degrees for 29-34 minutes.

Tip: You can tell the cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If you can pull the toothpick out without batter residue, the cake should be done.

3. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes.

Warning: The cake will be hot coming out of the oven. Use oven mits.

Note: The box will probably say wait for 10 minutes. Ignore this and let it cool for longer to avoid melting your topping in the next step.

1. Spread the hot fudge ice cream topping in a thin layer over the top of the cake.

2. Refrigerate the cake for approximately one hour.

Note: You may begin the next step before you have finished cooling the cake.

1. Open the whipped cream tub

2. Pour the remainder of the Creme de Menthe into the whipped cream

Tip: At this point you may want to transfer the mixture into a separate mixing bowl. It is perfectly fine to mix it in the whipped cream container, but it may get a little messy.

3. Mix the cream and Creme de Menthe until the whipped cream is a pale green color

4. Replace the lid on the whipped cream container and place it in the fridge until the cake is finished cooling

You can frost the cake any way you wish depending on your skill with cake decorating. The easiest way is to simply spread the whipped cream frosting over the cake in a similar fashion to the hot fudge topping, but in a layer at least an inch thick. If you wish, you can also sprinkle crushed Thin Mint cookies over the top of the cake. Once you have frosted the cake as desired, refrigerate for one hour before cutting and serving.

After the cake is cool, you may either remove it from the pan and frost the sides or cut it into individual pieces for serving. Either way this simple cake is sure to be a hit with your guests!