Grasshopper Pie
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Today is National Pi Day! Not pie with an “e”, but pi as in the mathematical number π… 3.141529… and on and on and on. I actually can’t believe that I remembered that much of the sequence… kudos to my high school math teachers! In the foodie world, March 14th is celebrated with, you guessed it… pie! We also happen to be on the doorstep of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, so I thought I would merge the two occasions and bring you a pie fit for celebrating the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
Growing up, I thought that the best thing about going out to eat at Olive Garden was that Andes mints got strewn on the table along with the check at the end of the meal. I loved those little mint chocolate candies and would try to steal as many as I could. I’ve always loved the combination of smooth chocolate and refreshing mint, so it came as no surprise that I loved my first grasshopper cocktail when I tried it in college. I couldn’t let another St. Patrick’s Day go by without finally making a grasshopper pie!
There is a total infusion of chocolate and mint flavors in this pie, which begins with the crust. Instead of using a plain ol’ chocolate cookie crumb crust, Cool Mint Oreos are used for an even bigger pop of flavor. Add to that a healthy dose of crème de menthe and crème de cacao, and you have a perfectly balanced, fantastic-tasting pie. The texture of the filling is a cross between a meringue, a Jell-O dessert, and a cream pie. It’s smooth, creamy, light and airy. Not only does this make a great St. Patrick’s Day pie, but it would also be wonderfully refreshing during the summer, and festive enough for the holidays.
Whether you’re a foodie, a math fan, ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, or just looking for an excuse to throw some liquor into into a pie… there’s really no good reason not to celebrate Pi Day!
One year ago: Grasshopper Mint Chocolate Bark and Irish Beer and Cheese Bread
Two years ago: Homemade Shamrock Shake and Chocolate Mint Brownies
Three years ago: Irish Soda Bread Scones
Four years ago: Irish Soda Bread
Six years ago: Super Sugar Cookies
Grasshopper Pie
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 7 hours
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours
Grasshopper pie is the perfect combination of mint and chocolate flavors!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
24 Cool Mint Oreo cookies, crushed into crumbs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooledFor the Filling:
3 egg yolks
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream, divided
Pinch of salt
¼ cup green crème de menthe
¼ cup white crème de cacaoDirections:
1. Make the Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the Oreo cookie crumbs and the melted butter in a medium bowl and toss with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Transfer the crumbs to a 9-inch pie plate. Press the crumbs evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, forming a crust. Refrigerate the lined pie plate for 20 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes, until the crust is fragrant and set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until foamy, about 30 seconds. Stir together the gelatin, sugar, ½ cup of the heavy cream and the salt in a medium saucepan and let sit until the gelatin softens, about 5 minutes. Cook over medium heat until the gelatin dissolves and the mixture is very hot but not boiling, about 2 minutes. Whisking continuously, slowly drizzle the gelatin mixture into egg yolks. Return mixture to saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the crème de menthe and crème de cacao. Pour into a large bowl and refrigerate, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until it thickens to a wobbly consistency, about 20 minutes.
3. Beat the remaining 1½ cups heavy cream on medium-high speed until it holds stiff peaks. Gently whisk 1 cup of the whipped cream into the gelatin mixture until completely incorporated. Using a rubber spatula, fold the remaining whipped cream into the gelatin mixture until no streaks of white remain. Scrape the mixture into the cooled pie shell, smooth the top, and refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. Serve with whipped cream and topped with chocolate curls, if desired.
Notes:
- The pie will keep in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 2 days.
- The alcohol in this pie has no way of cooking off, so keep that in mind if serving to children or anyone who can't have alcohol.
- If you can't find Cool Mint Oreos, you can use regular or homemade Oreos for the crust.
(Recipe adapted from Cook's Country, originally seen on The Galley Gourmet)
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Wow, this sounds so cool, rich and decadent! I love the flavors of mint and chocolate together and believe it or not, I have never had Grasshopper Pie! This looks like a great one to start with!!!
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I’ve been wanting to try this for so long – it sounds lovely!
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I love grasshopper pie ice cream so I am sure I would love this pie! Thanks for making me drool…again. Haha, kidding love you Michelle! Might just have to whip one of these up for pi day!
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I bought creme de menthe last year for brownies and haven’t used it since! This pie seems like a perfect opportunity to use some more of it
It looks so light & fluffy!!!
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Looks delicious! I like that you used mint Oreo’s!
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You are one smart cookie taking care of both Pi Day and St Patrick’s Day with one awesome pie! Chocolate and mint = pretty much the best flavor combo ever in my mind and somehow I’ve yet to make grasshopper pie. Will be happening soon for sure
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This looks so delicious!! I LOVE all things mint!
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What a perfect grasshopper pie! So festive!
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What a fun & inventive way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! I will have to make this for my sister — mint and chocolate chip are her favorite combination of flavors!
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I love mint around this time of year!! Looks delicious. Happy Pi day!
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ummm … they make mint oreos? i must be living under a rock . …
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Steph in Lex on March 17th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Yep, and peanut butter! Be VERY CAREFUL with this information…if you’re anything like me, you will keep going back for “just one more” until they’re gone!
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This looks delicious! And I’m a big fan of the blog–I’m making your Irish carbomb cupcakes this evening. But my inner math geek is distressed over the value of pi you wrote out… it’s 3.141592, not 29!
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Stacy on March 15th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I’m so glad you said that! I didn’t want to be the geek to correct her, but it stood out to me, too!
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Wow, this looks sooo deliciously refreshing. I love chocolate and mint together but believe it or not have never had a grasshopper pie. Thank you for the recipe, will have to try it out soon:)
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So beautiful; light and airy but dense and rich, all in one! And yes, I remember Andes mints laying on the table as being a total highlight in life as a kid!
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Grasshopper Pie is my birthday request every year. Our family recipe uses marshmallows, and is just a bit easier, but I may have to try the mint oreos for the crust from now on.
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Now that pie is looking good!
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Chocolate and peppermint is my favorite flavor combo…even more than chocolate and peanut butter! (Blasphemy I know!) So this sounds amaaaazing. And perfect for St. Pattys!
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Oh my god, my Mom made this!!! One of my favorites!!!
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How did I miss this recipe yesterday? Oh my gosh it looks incredible!!!
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I totally didn’t get this recipe yesterday, and believe me, I would’ve remembered it! It’s gorgeous and the beautiful green against that chocolatey crust is killing me. It looks so delicious!
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This post really grabbed me, because I am a pie maker and dog lover. Most all of my posts consist either pie, or my dog, or both : ) I love looking at your pictures of Einstein. I include WAY too many pictures of my dog Rainey, and I’m sure some people tire of them, but I figure oh well…if they do, they can pass through ; ) There are many dog lovers out there I’m sure, and if they aren’t, well then…they sure are missing something HUGE in their lives : ) : )
Einstein at the vet…OH.MY.GOSH!!! I have never seen such a thing in my life!! That is CLASSIC!! My love, Kama, was the most terrified dog at the vet, and my dog now, Rainey – she’ll tolerate going, but she sure doesn’t love it. Einstein…I have never. I can’t wait to show my husband when he gets home!!
Thank you, you just made my Friday!
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Oh, my! I remember this grasshopper pie in my childhood and dreamed that when I get married, I will have this for a cake
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I’ve never had grasshopper pie before, and this looks too pretty not to try out. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
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Oh I bet this pie is scrumptious, it sure wouldn’t last long at my house
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we made this for our st pattys day dessert yesterday.. it was a crowd pleaser!!!
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Oh my gosh…I was traveling on St. Patrick’s Day and missed this one. My grandmother, just smacked me on the head. This is the one she made in my childhood and I would dream of…we all thought it was great that it had booze it it. Of course, we didn’t know what booze meant, but it was a fun word to say. Thank you for sharing this!
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