Grasshopper Pie: Experience the magic of this delightful and refreshing ice cream dessert, requiring only six simple ingredients. It’s the quintessential summer treat that comes together in mere minutes, promising a burst of cool mint and rich chocolate with every bite!
Crafting the Ultimate Easy Grasshopper Pie
As the temperatures rise and summer approaches, my kitchen transforms into an ice cream dessert haven. There’s something undeniably appealing about a no-bake treat that cools you down and satisfies your sweet tooth without needing to turn on the oven. Our family’s dessert rotation is always packed with creamy, frozen delights, and a true standout is the easy Grasshopper Pie. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a vibrant, mint-chocolate experience that consistently brings smiles to everyone’s faces. We’ve mastered the art of simple, impactful ice cream creations, and this mint-infused pie easily claims a top spot.
While the Grasshopper Pie often steals the show, especially for its unique minty flavor, our summer rotation features several other beloved ice cream desserts:
- Classic Ice Cream Pie with a buttery Graham Cracker Crust: A versatile treat that can be customized with any ice cream flavor.
- Lightened-Up Ice Cream Sandwich Cake: An incredibly simple indulgence made with just four ingredients, perfect for a quick assembly.
- Decadent Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Bars: Featuring rich, fudgy brownies, crushed Oreos, and gooey hot fudge, these bars are a chocolate lover’s dream.
- Rich Mississippi Mud Pie: A deep, satisfying dessert, traditionally made with coffee-flavored or chocolate ice cream, offering a robust flavor profile.
- Effortless Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie: Combining the creamy tang of frozen cheesecake with the sweet freshness of strawberry ice cream for a delightful fusion.
Each of these frozen treats holds a special place in our hearts, but it’s the Grasshopper Pie that truly captivates. My oldest child, in particular, has an unwavering love for anything mint-flavored. He’ll persistently campaign for “the best Grasshopper Pie,” as he’s affectionately dubbed it, to be next in the monthly dessert rotation. It’s a testament to the pie’s irresistible charm and refreshing taste, making it a firm family favorite throughout the warmer months.
Quick Tip: About Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
When we refer to “Oreos” in our recipes, we are using a widely recognized term for a specific brand of chocolate sandwich cookies. While we often mention the specific brand for clarity and convenience, you are always welcome to use any brand of chocolate sandwich cookie you prefer. We respect all trademarks and brand ownership and strive to avoid any intentional infringement.
The Intriguing Name: Why is it Called Grasshopper Pie?
If the name “Grasshopper Pie” has ever piqued your curiosity, rest assured, you’re in good company! It’s certainly a distinctive and memorable name. However, let me quickly put your mind at ease: absolutely no actual grasshoppers were involved in the creation of this delightful recipe!
A Grasshopper Pie is a luscious, frozen, mint-flavored dessert built upon a rich Oreo cookie crust. The magic lies in its filling, which is sweet, refreshingly minty, and typically requires no baking at all. While our recipe features a creamy ice cream base, other traditional versions might use a whipped marshmallow mixture, often enhanced with a hint of Crème de Menthe liqueur, giving it an adult twist.
This classic retro treat first graced the pages of the New York Times in 1963, presented as an ice cream-based pie. It quickly soared in popularity throughout the 1960s and 70s, becoming a staple at gatherings and family dinners. While Nigella Lawson later introduced a marshmallow-based version on Food Network, our beloved Grasshopper Pie recipe stays true to its refreshing roots, crafted with a delightful mint ice cream filling.
A Symphony of Flavors: What Does Grasshopper Pie Taste Like?
Imagine the iconic taste of a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie – that perfect balance of crisp chocolate and cool peppermint. That’s precisely the flavor inspiration we channel into every layer of this magnificent pie! It’s a nostalgic and comforting taste that many adore, elevated into a luxurious dessert.
This Grasshopper Pie begins with a wonderfully sweet and buttery Oreo Pie Crust, offering a robust chocolate foundation. This crunchy base perfectly complements the star of the show: a generous layer of premium mint ice cream, smooth and invigorating. Next, we drizzle a luscious hot fudge sauce, adding a rich, warm chocolate contrast to the cool mint. The grand finale is a cloud-like topping of sweetened whipped cream, providing a light, airy finish that ties all the decadent elements together. What’s not to love about such a harmonious blend of textures and flavors?
Mastering Your Grasshopper Pie: Step-by-Step Guide and Expert Tips
Making this Grasshopper Pie is incredibly straightforward, a true testament to the beauty of simple ingredients coming together for an extraordinary result. While the full, detailed recipe card is provided below, here are our essential tips and tricks to ensure your pie turns out perfectly every time:
- Thoroughly Crush the Oreos for a Flawless Crust: The key to a beautiful and easily sliceable crust is finely crushed cookies. If large pieces of cookie remain, your crust will still taste delicious, but it won’t cut as neatly into individual slices. For the best results, we highly recommend using a blender or a food processor to achieve a consistently fine crumb. There’s no need to separate the cookies or remove the creme filling beforehand; simply toss the whole cookies in, and the machine will do all the work!
- Allow Melted Butter to Cool Slightly: This step is crucial for achieving the ideal crust texture. Adding hot butter directly to the crushed cookies can result in a greasy crust that may not hold its shape as well. Let the melted butter cool for a few minutes until it’s warm to the touch but not hot, before mixing it into the cookie crumbs. This ensures a perfectly crumbly yet firm crust.
- Patience is Key: Let the Pie Rest Before Slicing: For clean, picture-perfect slices, always allow your frozen Grasshopper Pie to stand at room temperature for about 5 minutes before you begin cutting and serving. This slight softening makes it much easier to slice through the layers without cracking the crust or ice cream.
- The Hot Knife Trick for Smooth Slices: To effortlessly cut through your firmly frozen pie, use a hot, sharp knife. Simply run your knife under hot water for a few seconds, then wipe it dry with a towel before each cut. This technique warms the blade, allowing it to glide through the dense layers with minimal effort, creating beautifully defined slices. Serve immediately after cutting and return any uneaten portions to the freezer without delay.
- Choose a High-Quality Mint Ice Cream: Since mint ice cream is the absolute star of this pie, its quality truly makes a difference. Invest in a brand you genuinely love and enjoy for the best flavor. Our personal favorite is Tillamook® Mint Chocolate Chip (this is not a sponsored recommendation; note that this particular brand has no added coloring, resulting in a naturally white ice cream). The richer the mint flavor, the more delightful your pie will be!
Storage Tips for Your Grasshopper Pie
Can You Freeze Grasshopper Pie?
- Absolutely! Freezing is not only recommended but essential for this delightful dessert. In fact, it’s best to keep the pie in the freezer as much as possible throughout the preparation process. If the ice cream becomes too soft and melty during assembly, it can unfortunately turn icy and lose its creamy texture when re-frozen.
- To maintain its quality and prevent ice crystals, always return any leftovers to the freezer promptly. Ensure the pie is tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect it from freezer burn and absorb odors.
- While this pie is delicious any time, we find it’s at its peak freshness and texture when enjoyed within the same week it is made.
Explore More Minty Dessert Recipes:
If you’re as enamored with the refreshing flavor of mint as we are, you’ll love these other delightful recipes that celebrate this invigorating herb:
- Mint Chocolate Cookies: Easy to make with a brownie mix base, these cookies are a chewy, minty dream.
- Thin Mint Oreo Cups: Featuring the delicious combination of Thin Mint-inspired flavors and Andes® mints for a quick, bite-sized treat.
- Homemade Butter Mints: These classic, melt-in-your-mouth pepperminty confections are surprisingly easy to make from scratch.
- Refreshing Mint Chocolate Bark: A simple yet elegant dessert combining rich chocolate with crunchy Oreos and cool mint.
- Indulgent Mint Brownies: Fudgy brownies topped with a creamy mint layer and a decadent chocolate ganache for an ultimate mint-chocolate experience.
Grasshopper Pie
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Pie pan
Ingredients
- 1-3/4 cups Mint Oreos about 24 cookies, plus more cookies for garnish! Any chocolate-mint sandwich cookie works.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 (48-ounce) container mint chip ice cream or mint brownie ice cream, slightly softened
- 1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping completely thawed, see note 1
- 1 (11.5-ounce) container hot fudge topping see note 2
Instructions
- Start by melting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, set aside to cool for 5 minutes. (Hot butter causes a greasy crust.)
- In a powerful blender or food processor, blend whole Oreos (cookie and creme) until they are all crumbs. Re-blend any large chunks so the crust will cut nicely. Measure once fully crumbled, then transfer the crumbs to a bowl. Save any remaining crumbs for a garnish. Add the melted (and slightly cooled) butter and a tiny pinch of salt. Stir until a thick dough forms and press that mixture into a pie pan. Use the bottom of a 1/4-cup measuring cup to press the crust firmly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Place the crust in the freezer while preparing the filling.
- Scoop in the entire container of softened ice cream into the chilled crust. Smooth the top of the ice cream evenly with the back of a large spoon or spatula. Freeze for 30 minutes or until solid.
- Remove from the freezer and smooth the chocolate fudge sauce evenly over the ice cream. (This is a tricky step—I like to dollop scoops evenly all over the top, then gradually press the fudge and coax it across the top with the back of a spoon). Loosely cover and return to freezer for another 30 minutes.
- Remove pie from freezer and smooth the whipped cream over the chocolate fudge layer. You can add as little or as much of the whipped cream. (I usually use most of the container!) Sprinkle with any remaining cookie crumbs, if desired. Return to the freezer and freeze until very solid, about 4–8 hours.
- Coarsely chop 3–5 leftover mint Oreos and sprinkle over the pie. Cut the pie into slices. If the pie is especially firm, let it stand for 5 minutes at room temperature before cutting and serving. Use a hot, sharp knife (run it under hot water, dry with a towel) to make cuts into the pie. This will take some muscle! Enjoy promptly and return any leftovers to the freezer.
Recipe Notes
Note 2: Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce: For an incredibly rich and rewarding flavor, consider making your own hot fudge! It’s surprisingly easy. Prepare a half-batch of this fantastic Hot Fudge Sauce. (Alternatively, make a full batch and use as much as you like for the pie, saving any delicious leftovers for future dessert cravings!).
Storage Tips: Always store your Grasshopper Pie in the freezer to maintain its delightful frozen consistency. For the best taste and texture, we recommend enjoying it within the same week it is prepared.
Nutrition
Calories: 566kcal |
Carbohydrates: 59.3g |
Protein: 7.1g |
Fat: 33.5g |
Cholesterol: 138.1mg |
Sodium: 229.5mg |
Fiber: 0.9g |
Sugar: 46.6g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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