This no-bake Grasshopper Pie is a 5-ingredient frozen dessert that's super simple to make. A creamy, light marshmallow and cream, mint-flavored filling, sits atop a rich chocolate cookie crust for the perfect chocolate mint flavor combination. This pie is a special treat for any season be it St. Patrick's Day, Easter, summer or Christmas. Whenever you serve it, this pie is sure to leave them begging for more.
I love the combination of chocolate and mint! Maybe it's from my Girl Scout cookie days, but the flavor combo hits the spot every time. I've got plenty of recipes on 2CM to indulge my craving for these flavors too. Some of my favorites are Chocolate Mint Doughnuts, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies or, yes I went there, a cocktail called Peppermint Patty Coffee Cocktail.
And talk about easy! All you'll need is one bowl to make the chocolate cookie crust, one bowl and a whisk to mix the filling, and a pie plate. Chill and done! Oh, and no need to take the filling out of the cookies either as it helps hold the crust together and give it a little sweetness. Once done, this easy-to-make dessert has a texture somewhere between meringue and a cream pie. Oh, it's so good!
What is Grasshopper Pie
OK, right off the bat, this pie does not have anything to do with grasshoppers! And definitely doesn't have any grasshoppers in it! Yuck! It actually got it's name from a popular 1950s-1960s cocktail called a Grasshopper. It was a drink primarily composed of crème de menthe, giving the green color to the pie, white crème de cocoa and fresh cream.
The original grasshopper pie used crème de menthe and crème de cocoa combined with whipping cream and marshmallows, which was poured into a chocolate sandwich cookie crust and frozen. Hence, a deliciously light chocolate mint pie that meets all my fantasy dessert wishes.
Pro Tip: Be aware and allow at least four hours to make and chill before serving. Then ten minutes before serving, take it out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter. This will make it easier to slice. If it is still a little difficult to cut, run a sharp knife under hot water and then slice.
Variations
- I changed the original pie up slightly to make this the easiest version of grasshopper pie around. It uses only one liqueur, crème de menthe, and switches out the whipping cream for Cool Whip. It's just a matter of mixing the filling together with a whisk or spoon and pouring it into my favorite Oreo cookie crust.
- Add more chocolate and mint flavor by chopping up chocolate mint cookies and folding them into the filling. I used cookies called, of all things, grasshopper cookies, to add a little crunchiness to the smooth cream filling. This is totally optional but oh so good!
- You can also forgo the Cool Whip and use 2 cups of whipping cream, whipping until soft peaks form, then fold in with marshmallow cream and liqueur.
- Make the crust even more minty by using Oreo Mint-filled cookies.
- Need a gluten-free version? No problem! Just use the new gluten-free Oreos for the crust and topping and you're good to go!
No Alcohol Grasshopper Pie
For those with children, making a no alcohol chocolate mint pie is easy. Eliminate the crème de menthe and replace it with a mixture of ¼ cup milk, ¼ to ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and green food coloring. If you love peppermint flavor you'll want to tend towards the ½ teaspoon quantity. I used just a little over the ¼ teaspoon and it was perfect. Believe me, no one will be able to tell the difference!
How to make peppermint pie
- Gather the simple ingredients and decide whether you will make an alcoholic or non-alcoholic version. (photo 1)
- Place Oreo cookies in chopper and blend to fine crumbs. If you don't have a chopper, you can use a large resealable plastic bag and crush with rolling pin. (photo 2)
- Add melted butter to crumbs and stir well. (photo 3)
- Press crumbs into bottom and sides of pie dish. Chill for 30 minutes. (photo 4)
- Gather ingredients for mint cream filling. decide whether you are going to make the alcoholic or non-alcoholic version. (photo 5)
- Combine marshmallow crème and Cool Whip. If using whipped cream, add crème de menthe into marshmallow cream then fold whipped cream, which has been beaten to soft peaks, into mixture. (photo 6)
- Add crème de menthe or non-alcohol alternative and green. (photo 7)
- Whisk or beat well. (photo 8)
- This step is totally optional, but to add a little crunchiness as a foil to the creaminess, add chopped thin mint or grasshopper cookies to the mix. (photo 9)
- Pour into chilled pie shell and smooth top. (photo 10)
- Decorate with crushed grasshopper, thin mint or Oreo cookies. I like to use mint-stuffed Oreos for that extra dash of mint.
- Chill peppermint pie for 2-4 hours or overnight. Just prior to serving, pipe some whipped cream into the center of the pie and decorate with a cookie or decorate each slice as served.
I like to add a little something extra to each slice when I serve it. A little dollop of whipped cream, their own cookie and a sprig of mint. Oh, my mouth is sooo watering, I'm thinking of eating the last piece right now! (willpower girl, willpower)
This grasshopper pie pleases everyone, from the ice cream lover, to the chocolate lover, and even the mint lover. It's pastel green coloring makes it perfect for St. Patrick's Day and Easter, it's cool filling brings a bit of refreshment to beat the summer heat and it's festive look makes the ideal centerpiece for Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. Enjoy!
More creamy desserts to check out
Authentic Key Lime Pie is a tart, creamy pie that's perfect for summer or when you're dreaming of a tropical getaway.
Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake from Feast + West is a dessert where banana pudding meets ice cream.
Irish Coffee Mousse is an adult only dessert for a chocolaty boozy end to dinner. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!
No Bake Banana Split Cake is a classic dessert with all the flavors of the ice cream treat.
No-Bake Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Pie is a decadent chocolate lovers pie complete with salted caramel pecans.
Find lots more easy pie recipes here on 2CM!
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Grasshopper Pie
Ingredients
- 24 Oreo cookies, crushed creme filling does not need to be removed
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 7 oz jar marshmallow creme
- 8 oz Cool Whip or 2 cups whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks
- ¼ cup creme de menthe or for non alcoholic version use ¼ cup milk, ¼ to ½ teaspoon peppermint extract + green food coloring
- 6-7 Chocolate Mint (grasshopper) cookies or Thin Mints, chopped + additional for garnish (optional)
- Optional garnishes: mint leaves, whipped cream, extra cookies
Instructions
- Crush 24 Oreo cookies with filling in a large ziploc bag until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Mix with melted butter and press in bottom & up sides of 9" pie dish or springform pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before filling.
- In a large bowl, whisk together marshmallow creme, Cool Whip and creme de menthe.
- Add chopped chocolate mint cookies, if using.
- Pour into chilled pie crust. Sprinkle with additional crumbs if desired. Crumbs can be Oreos or chocolate mint cookies.
- Freeze for at least 2-4 hours prior to serving.
- When ready to serve, remove from freezer 10 minutes prior to serving. This will make the pie easier to cut. Garnish with whipped cream, additional cookies and/or mint leaves.
Notes
Variations
- Add more chocolate and mint flavor by chopping up chocolate mint cookies and folding them into the filling. I used cookies called, of all things, grasshopper cookies, to add a little crunchiness to the smooth cream filling. This is totally optional but oh so good!
- You can also forgo the Cool Whip and use 2 cups of whipping cream, whipping until soft peaks form, then fold in with marshmallow cream and liqueur.
- Make the crust even more minty by using Oreo Mint-filled cookies.
- Need a gluten-free version? No problem! Just use the new gluten-free Oreos for the crust and topping and you're good to go!
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new information, step-by-step instructions and new photos. It was first posted on May 25, 2016.
