Grasshopper Pie

Here's Grandma's favorite recipe for the classic Grasshopper Pie.

Overhead view of grasshopper pie cut into slices with one on a plate.

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Why Make This

  • Using marshmallows rather than eggs and gelatin is a shortcut that still creates a tasty treat.
  • Add the mint flavor with liqueur or with peppermint extract—your choice.
  • You can make it a couple of days before serving.

My grandmother on my dad's side had an amazing sweet tooth.

How that woman could eat as many jelly-filled donuts as she did and still live to 97, I'll never know!

A Simple (and Simplified) Grasshopper Pie

One of her favorite pies to make for us was grasshopper pie, a chilled minty green pie with an Oreo cookie crust. I haven't found her recipe, but my father patched one together from many he found online that turns out a pie just like the one she used to make.

Many grasshopper pie recipes are quite elaborate and call for gelatin, egg yolks, egg whites, etc. In this recipe, we use marshmallows instead of eggs and gelatin.

Overhead view of grasshopper pie cut into slices with one on a plate.

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

A Make-Ahead Pie

Make this pie at least three hours ahead of when you plan to serve it. It needs this time in the freezer to completely set and firm up. You can also keep it frozen for a few days, but cover the frozen pie loosely with aluminum foil to protect it.

Leftovers can be kept frozen for at least a week, but can start to develop freezer burn or pick up odd flavors from the freezer if stored for longer periods.

Side view of a slice of grasshopper pie.

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Making a Non-Alcoholic Grasshopper Pie

To make this pie alcohol-free, replace the crème de menthe and the crème de cacao with 1 teaspoon peppermint extract plus 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Origins of Grasshopper Pie

Most likely inspired by the grasshopper cocktail that's been around since 1918, the grasshopper pie has been around since the mid-1900s when chiffon pies were all the rage. Early versions used either a graham cracker crust or a chocolate crust. Our version uses a chocolate crust to give it extra chocolate goodness.

Oreo Crust Alternatives

If you'd prefer not to split apart all those Oreo cookies and discard the creamy filling, use 1 1/4 cups of crushed chocolate wafers instead. Or, choose to use a graham cracker crust.

Check Out These Other Classic Pies

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Grasshopper Pie

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Freezing 3 hrs
Total Time 3 hrs 45 mins
Servings 8 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 30 Oreo cookies (60 halves), fillings discarded, cookies crushed fine

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 3/4 cup whole milk

  • 24 large marshmallows

  • 1/4 cup créme de menthe liqueur

  • 2 tablespoons white créme de cacao

  • 1 to 2 drops green food coloring, optional

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • Chocolate shavings to top, optional

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Make the Oreo cookie crust:

    In a bowl, mix crushed Oreo cookie halves and 6 tablespoons of the butter. A small handful of the crumbs should hold together when you squeeze it in your fist. If it crumbles apart, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it holds together

    Pat into bottom and up sides of 10 inch pie dish. Press firmly with the bottom of a cup to tamp down and compact the crust into the pie dish.

    Bake in oven for 5 to 10 minutes; remove from oven and cool completely.

    Once cooled, place in freezer to chill.

    Overhead view of a ceramic pie plate with a chocolate cookie crust to make a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Overhead view of a ceramic pie plate with a chocolate cookie crust to make a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Baking the crust for a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

  3. Make the marshmallow mixture:

    In saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk until steaming, but not boiling. Add the marshmallows and stir gently until the marshmallows have melted.

    Remove the pan from heat and cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge until cool to the touch. If you want, you can speed up the cooling process by setting the pan in an ice water bath. (If the mixture is room temperature or warmer, it has a tendency to break when you add the remaining ingredients.)

    Marshmallows in a pot for a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

  4. Mix the in the liquors and whip the heavy cream:

    Add creme de menthe and creme de cacao to the cooled marshmallow mixture, and mix well. Add a drop or two of green food dye if desired.

    With a hand mixer or a stand mixer, whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the milk and marshmallow mixture in three separate additions. Continue folding and gently mixing until no more streaks of white remain.

    Stirring the filling for a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Whipped cream on a whisk attachment to make a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Adding whipped cream to filling for a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

  5. Pour the filling into the crust and freeze:

    Pour the filling into the crust and freeze for at least 3 hours. (Cover loosely with foil after 3 hours if you're going to leave it in the freezer longer.)

    Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with chocolate shavings, if desired.

    Pouring filling into the crust for a grasshopper pie recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Overhead view of grasshopper pie.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
355 Calories
16g Fat
46g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 355
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Sodium 142mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 73mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.