NO GRASSHOPPERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS PIE…
From what I have read this pie was inspired by a drink called the Grasshopper… here is the background on that. It has inspired many desserts since it’s invention. Here is a vintage inspiration post on the traditional Grasshopper Pie and it’s history. It was originally considered a chiffon pie which has a gelatin element to it.
This pie is great to enjoy for St. Patrick’s Day, anytime during the summer and/or the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holiday season.
My version is a no bake refrigerator version with a chocolate filling instead of a green filling. The elements are there (mint, chocolate, cream) but I would not dare to say our version is traditional by any stretch of the imagination. My kids prefer a chocolate pie. LOL
My motto is always food tastes/preferences over tradition if there is a question/conflict. If the people are happy then you are a success.
There are MANY versions out there so, if you are curious, feel free to do a search on Pinterest to find other variations. I think the most traditional version might be more like this one at The Art of the Pie blog.
- This is basically a mint Oreo cookie crust (made from scratch). You can buy that pie crust or make it yourself using the graham cracker crust method with crushed Oreo cookies. With the graham cracker crust you would add butter but because you have the filling in the Oreos which is basically just all fat you don’t need to add a fat. Just grind them up and press them into your pie pan and bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees just to set it. Super simple!
- The filling is a basic chocolate pudding from either a chocolate pastry cream recipe or a box pudding pie mix. I add a drop of mint extract to this. The added fluff comes from adding a whipped cream to it. You can use homemade whipped cream (whip about a cup to 1 1/2 cups with a little added sugar and a 1/2 tsp vanilla extract whipped until it is a stiff consistency. If that is just not an option then use a ready whip/Cool Whip brand… typically one small container’s worth.
- and then the top is made from a whipped cream topping. Again, I make my own whipped cream but you can use the ready made stuff. If you want that green color then feel free to add a few drops of green food coloring if you like. It is not necessary to the taste of the pie, though, so don’t feel obligated if you have someone with food color sensitivities in the mix.
- The bits you see on top are found with the chocolate chips in the grocery store and are those Andes mint/chocolate baking chips.
- Some people add real Creme de Menthe to their chocolate filling. It does not take much so go easy if you do. I have seen many variations on this but I made one without the Creme de Menthe for a kid friendly version. The one with Creme de Menthe is quite yummy, though.
It is minty and chocolaty. There is just not a whole lot better than chocolate and mint together around here. It is a perfect celebration pie!
I plan on making a more traditional version this Christmas so I will share that when we get there.
Other “Grasshopper” Desserts…
Grasshopper Milkshake – this is the boozy version
Grasshopper Poke Cake recipe – they claim this is better than Thin Mint cookies
Do you have a favorite Grasshopper dessert? Please share with us!
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