If you are like me and want Irish-themed desserts to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, then these mini Irish flag dessert cups are the perfect choice!
Sweet layers of green, white and orange presented in a cup are not only fun and festive, but also easy to make.
How to make mini Irish flag dessert cups
Ingredients you will need:
- Green grapes.
- Canned mandarin oranges (drained).
- Mascarpone – You can substitute with cream cheese.
- Cream.
- Vanilla flavoring.
- Lemon juice – this can be omitted, but I do recommend adding it to your mascarpone cream layer.
- Powdered sugar – You can increase the quantity if you prefer the white layer extra sweet.
Tools and gadgets:
- Measuring cups and spoons – Or a kitchen scale.
- Medium mixing bowl.
- Cutting board and knife – This is optional. You might need it to cut the grapes in halves if they are too large.
- Strainer – to drain the liquid from mandarins.
- Kitchen paper towels – To pat dry the fruits.
- Mini dessert cups – I used plastic cups that hold 3.5 ounces (100 milliliters) of liquid.
- Electric mixer – To whip the cream.
The whole prep is very quick. 12 of these no bake dessert cups are ready in 20 minutes!
Prep the fruits, make the white mascarpone cream layer, which literally takes about 2-3 minutes and assemble.
Serving Suggestions
These mini layered desserts are perfect for:
- St. Patrick’s Day parties – Alongside Irish dishes or green appetizers, they will complete your Paddy’s Day menu.
- Irish-themed desserts for cultural celebrations.
- Tricolor treats for sporting events with green, white and orange themes.
- Buffet tables or potlucks as they hold well during transport and can be made ahead.
FAQ's
Yes! You can prepare them a day in advance. Just cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
To simplify, you can use either whipped cream or natural yogurt, including Greek yogurt.
Yes, you can. Simply use a clear glass bowl or trifle dish and follow the same layering method. You might need to double the recipe.
Tips for success
- Chill for best results: Give your dessert cups plenty of time to chill so the layers hold their shape.
- A piping bag can be substituted with a resealable plastic bag. You don’t need any piping tip here!
- Garnish – You can add orange sprinkles on top or use just sprinkles instead of canned mandarins.
- Mascarpone cream tastes nice, but if you can’t find it on hand, you have two options: Either you use cream cheese instead or omit it completely and whip just cream with sugar and vanilla.
I like making mini layered desserts because they are easy and always look good. And these are perfect for celebrating Paddy’s Day!
More appetizers for Patrick’s Day Party
Here are a few easy and crowd-pleasing ideas to try. Stuffed celery is a great choice if you’re looking for something simple and green. For something a little heartier, bacon wrapped potatoes are always a win, because let’s be honest, potatoes and Irish celebrations go hand in hand. And if you're serving drinks, bunless cheeseburger bites pair wonderfully with a pint of Guinness, making them a hit with guests.
Mini Irish Flag Dessert Cups
Ingredients
- 11 ounces canned mandarins (drained, see note 1)
- 8 ounces green grapes (rinsed)
- 1 cup whipping cream (see note 2)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (see note 3)
- 9 ounces mascarpone (see note 4)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- With paper kitchen towels, pat dry mandarins and grapes and set them aside.
- To a medium mixing bowl, add whipping cream and powdered sugar and whip with electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add mascarpone, vanilla extract and lemon juice and whisk until just combined. Transfer into a piping bag with large hole (no piping tip needed).
- To assemble: Place plastic cups onto a small baking sheet. Place 4-5 grapes (half them if too large) at the bottom of each cup, followed by mascarpone filling and a few mandarin slices.
- Transfer to the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- Drained weight is about 6 ounces (170 grams).
- The mascarpone layer is thick, making it a good dessert to bring to a party. If you would like it creamier, you can use just whipping cream. Use 2 cups instead of 1 and double the sugar as well.
- Powdered sugar (US)/icing sugar (UK) can be adjusted to your liking.
- Mascarpone can be substituted with cream cheese. 8-ounce will also work just fine!
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