This vibrant green Grasshopper Pie is everything a St. Patrick's Day dessert should be: minty, creamy, chocolatey, and just a little bit boozy. The first time I made this, I was looking for something festive that didn't require hours in the kitchen, and this no-bake beauty delivered. It's got that cool mint flavor from crème de menthe, a rich Oreo crust, and a marshmallow filling that sets up perfectly in the fridge.
If you love easy desserts that look impressive, you'll want to try this alongside my Date Brownies or Homemade Salted Caramel Cake for your next gathering.
What is Grasshopper Pie?
Grasshopper Pie is a classic no-bake dessert that combines mint and chocolate flavors in a creamy, dreamy filling. It gets its name from the grasshopper cocktail, which features crème de menthe and crème de cacao. The pie typically has a chocolate cookie crust and a fluffy mint filling that's bright green and incredibly refreshing. It became popular in the 1950s and has been a favorite for St. Patrick's Day celebrations ever since.
This old fashioned grasshopper pie is lighter than cheesecake but richer than pudding. The marshmallow base gives it a wonderfully airy texture, while the boozy kick from the liqueurs adds depth without being overwhelming.
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Grasshopper Pie Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this mint Oreo pie from scratch.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Oreo cookies: These form the base of your crust. The chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with the mint filling. You'll need 24 cookies, which is usually one standard package.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter binds the cookie crumbs together so the crust holds its shape after baking.
- Marshmallows: The marshmallow filling gives this pie its signature fluffy, creamy texture. Use about 30 large marshmallows or 7 ounces.
- Half-and-half cream: This helps melt the marshmallows smoothly and adds richness to the filling. The 10% MF works perfectly here.
- Crème de menthe: This mint liqueur is what makes it a true grasshopper pie. You can use clear or green. Green will give you a more vibrant color without needing as much food coloring.
- Crème de cacao: This chocolate liqueur adds depth and a subtle cocoa flavor that complements the mint beautifully.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to stiff peaks, this lightens the filling and gives it that airy, mousse-like texture. Make sure it's cold for the best results.
- Green food coloring: A few drops give the pie its classic bright green color. If you're using green crème de menthe, you might not need this at all.
How to Make Grasshopper Pie
Follow these simple steps to make the best grasshopper pie recipe ever.
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it's ready when you need it.
Make the crust: Add the Oreo cookies to a food processor and pulse until you get fine, even crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and blend until everything is combined and looks like wet sand.
Bake the crust: Press the crust mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie plate, making sure to press it up the sides a bit. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool completely at room temperature. This step sets the crust so it doesn't crumble when you slice the pie.
Melt the marshmallows: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the marshmallows and half-and-half. Stir constantly for 5 to 10 minutes until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Cool the marshmallow mixture: Cover the saucepan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the mixture is about room temperature. Once it's cooled, whisk in the crème de menthe and crème de cacao until everything is smooth and well blended.
Whip the cream: In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overbeat or it'll turn grainy.
Fold everything together: Gently fold the cooled marshmallow mixture into the whipped cream using a spatula. Use a light hand to keep the filling airy and fluffy.
Add color: Add 8 to 12 drops of green food coloring and gently fold it in until the color is evenly mixed. If you're using green crème de menthe, you can skip this step.
Fill and chill: Pour the filling into the cooled Oreo crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, or until the filling is completely set. Overnight works great.
Decorate and serve: Before serving, you can top the pie with whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and crushed Oreo cookies for a beautiful finish.
Equipment For Grasshopper Pie
- Food processor: Makes crushing the Oreos quick and easy. If you don't have one, you can put the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- 9-inch pie plate: The standard size for this recipe. A glass or ceramic pie plate works best.
- Saucepan: For melting the marshmallows with the half-and-half. A medium-sized one is perfect.
- Spatula: Essential for folding the whipped cream into the marshmallow mixture without deflating it.
- Mixing bowl: For whipping the cream. Make sure it's clean and dry.
- Electric mixer: Whipping cream by hand takes forever. An electric mixer makes it fast and easy.
Substitutions and Variations
Alcohol-free version: Replace the crème de menthe with 1 teaspoon of mint extract and 3 tablespoons of milk. Replace the crème de cacao with 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup. This makes an alcohol free grasshopper pie that's perfect for kids and anyone avoiding booze.
Different crust: Try a graham cracker crust or a chocolate graham cracker crust if you're not a fan of Oreos. You can also use Nilla wafers for a lighter, vanilla-flavored base.
Chocolate chips: Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips for extra chocolate mint dessert vibes.
Peppermint twist: Use peppermint extract instead of crème de menthe for a more wintery, candy cane flavor.
Lighter filling: Swap half of the heavy whipping cream with whipped topping like Cool Whip if you want a lighter texture.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store the pie covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the fridge for up to 3 days. The filling stays creamy and delicious.
Freezer: This pie freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Make-ahead: This is actually better when made a day ahead. The flavors meld together, and the filling sets perfectly.
Serving Suggestions
With coffee: Serve a slice with a hot cup of coffee or Irish coffee for a complete St. Patrick's Day treat.
Topped with whipped cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream and a sprig of fresh mint make it look bakery-worthy.
Alongside other desserts: Pair it with Cottage Pie for a full Irish-themed dinner, or serve it after a batch of Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies for a dessert spread.
With hot fudge: Drizzle warm chocolate sauce over each slice for an extra indulgent touch.
Expert Tips
Room temperature matters. Make sure the marshmallow mixture has cooled to room temperature before folding it into the whipped cream. If it's too warm, it'll deflate the cream.
Don't skip the chill time. The pie needs at least 6 hours to set properly. Overnight is even better. If you try to slice it too early, the filling will be too soft.
Use cold cream. Cold heavy whipping cream whips up faster and holds its shape better. You can even chill your mixing bowl and beaters for a few minutes before starting.
Fold gently. When combining the marshmallow mixture and whipped cream, use a folding motion instead of stirring. This keeps the filling light and airy.
Green crème de menthe saves a step. If you use the green version, you won't need to add food coloring. The filling will already have that vibrant grasshopper pie color.
FAQ
Why do they call it grasshopper pie?
It's named after the grasshopper cocktail, which is made with crème de menthe and crème de cacao. The bright green color and minty flavor reminded people of a grasshopper, and the name stuck. My grandma used to make this in the '60s, and she said everyone thought it was so clever and festive.
What is George Clooney's favorite pie?
George Clooney has mentioned that his aunt Rosemary Clooney used to make grasshopper pie, and it's one of his favorites. It's a classic Hollywood dessert from the mid-century era, so it makes sense that it'd be a celebrity favorite.
What is a grasshopper pie?
Grasshopper pie is a no-bake chocolate dessert with a mint-flavored filling, usually made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, marshmallows, and whipped cream. It has a chocolate cookie crust and a fluffy, creamy center. It's especially popular around St. Patrick's Day because of its green color.
How much alcohol is in grasshopper pie?
This recipe uses ¼ cup of crème de menthe and 2 tablespoons of crème de cacao, which is about 6 tablespoons total spread across 8 servings. Most of the alcohol stays in the pie since it's not cooked off, but each slice has a very small amount. If you're sensitive to alcohol or serving kids, just use the alcohol-free version with mint extract instead.
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Pairing
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Grasshopper Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the Oreo cookies to a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and blend until combined.
- Press the cookie mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the marshmallows and half & half cream. Stir constantly for 5-10 minutes until the marshmallows melt and the mixture is smooth.
- Once smooth, remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until the mixture cools to room temperature.
- Once cooled, whisk in the crème de menthe and crème de cacao until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Using a spatula, fold the marshmallow mixture into the whipped cream.
- Add 8-12 drops of green food coloring (optional), folding it into the filling until the color is even.
- Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust, smoothing out the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6-8 hours or until set.
- (Optional) Before serving, decorate the pie with whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and crushed Oreo cookies.
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