Hop On Over

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)
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What’s sweet, minty, and green all over? Don’t worry, it’s not the set up for a bad joke, but a grasshopper pie! With roots going back only to the 60’s, it’s a relative new comer on the pie scene, and yet no one is quite sure where the name came from. I might speculate that it’s “green as a grasshopper,” but then why didn’t they call it frog pie, or Calyptomena viridis pie? Not as catchy? No, I can’t imagine that’s the reason…

It was allegedly said that “dinner guests sometimes click their heels with glee over a superb dessert,” but if that were the case, why aren’t there more grasshopper desserts? Wouldn’t we all be clicking our heels over every molten chocolate cake that crosses our lips?

Anyway, enough silliness, because this is one serious pie. Fortified with a splash of creme de mènthe and chilled, it’s a nostalgic adult treat that absolutely screams summer. Traditionally composed of marshmallows and cool whip, it’s one recipe that was all but off limits until recently, but all that has changed thanks to the brilliant Dandies Marshmallows. Now that vegan marshmallows are more abundant, I can even justify using a whole bag in one recipe!

My take on grasshopper pie has some significant differences from the original, however- Most notably, mine gets its bulk and lovely green hue thanks to some creamy avocados, not artificial whipped topping or nasty green dye. Freezing it makes for a truly refreshing treat, and gives it the added bonus of being stable enough to make popsicles out of. Pi-sicles, if you will. Yes, you heard me right- Frozen grasshopper pie on a stick, dipped in chocolate!

What are you waiting for? This a pie that belongs on your summer menu, one way or another!

Yield: Makes 8 - 10 Servings

Frozen Grasshopper Pie

Frozen Grasshopper Pie

My take on grasshopper pie has some significant differences from the original, however- Most notably, mine gets its bulk and lovely green hue thanks to some creamy avocados, not artificial whipped topping or nasty green dye. Freezing it makes for a truly refreshing treat, and gives it the added bonus of being stable enough to make popsicles out of.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Crust:

  • 1 1/2 Cups Chocolate Cookie Crumbs (15 Chocolate Sandwich Cookies)
  • 5 Tablespoons Vegan Butter, Melted

Mint Filling:

  • 1 Cup Pureed Avocado (From About 2 Small, Ripe Avocados)
  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Crème de Menthe*
  • 1 10-Ounce Package Vegan Marshmallows
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  1. Begin by combining the cookie crumbs and melted butter in a large bowl, and stir well until there are no dry spots. Transfer this mixture to a 9-inch round pie tin, and use your fingers to press it evenly across the bottom and up the sides. Place the crust in your freezer until firm, at least 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, you can start preparing the filling. Puree your avocado using a blender or food processor, along with the lemon juice and crème de menthe. Scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically ensure you have no lumps of avocado. Set aside.
  3. Place all of the marshmallows in a medium sauce pan, and set it over moderate heat. Stir continuously until the marshmallows have completely melted, and quickly transfer the marshmallow goo into your food processor or blender. Pulse to combine, and add in the salt, mint, and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides once or twice between pulses, until the mixture is homogeneous. Pour into your frozen crust, and return the whole thing to the freezer.
  4. Let freeze for at least 4 hours, until set and sliceable. If desired, top with chocolate shavings, curls, or ganache.
  5. Alternately, cut into 8 slices, insert lollipop or popsicle sticks into the side crust, and dip in homemade magic shell (a double batch will cover the whole pie nicely and leave you with plenty leftover for other ice cream treats.)

Notes

*To make this pie kid-friendly, replace the alcohol with 1/4 cup plain non-dairy milk and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 255Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 173mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 2g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Pies and Tarts

75 thoughts on “Hop On Over”

  2. Oh my that is sheer brilliance, Hannah! I am definitely inspired to make this by your beautiful photos, with some tweaks to decarb it. I can’t believe that green hue is all natural. Fabulous!

  4. Oh my gosh, what are you doing to us posting recipes like this! LOL :)
    It looks so delicious, your such a fantastic cook! and photographer.

    Rose

  7. Ooooh! I love it! The colors are gorgeous and I can just imagine how refreshing it would be to snack on one of these beauties during the sweltering summer heat. Perfect treat, well done, as always!

  9. Whoa, I was reading through and thinking “yeah, cool, grasshopper pie…” and then “holy s*** grasshopper pie *on a stick!* *dipped in chocolate!*” You just made my morning :)

  15. An avocado??? Love it!! And dipped in chocolate… you won my heart with this one for sure :) Now I just need another PPQ invite so I can make this to bring!

  17. I still haven’t tried Dandies marshmallows. A frozen marshmallow pie with such a fresh-looking color is heavenly. Thanks for sharing the recipe! It’s really beautiful!

  21. Yum! And thanks for the link to the homemade magic shell. My partner loves the stuff but I can not abide by the junk they use in the commercial crap. This is perfect!

  29. It’s no secret that I don’t eat avocado, but this pie looks divine! I believe I’ve always wondered what Grasshopper Pie was and I’m happy to know now.

  33. pi-sicles!!! LOVE that. the pie looks so good! My old housemate had this rancid old bottle of creme de menthe for years that never got touched – now I pity it. Maybe it just wanted to be made into pie!

  35. Mmm! Hannah, these look fantastic! I’ve been really into adding avocado into things lately, so this is another exciting recipe to try. It looks lovely and refreshing!

  38. oh my goodness hannah!
    looks soooo beautiful. I’ve never had grasshopper pie, but it sounds great. I love the chocolate dipped wedges. That’s just crazy!!
    :)

  41. Can you taste the avocado? That seems like such a weird combination, mint, chocolate, and avocado. I might have to make this just to see how it tastes. You’ve piqued my curiosity for sure.

  43. Every of your recipes is amazing! This pie looks so perfect. First I thought it was a fod review for a commercially produced product. I’m sure it tastes much better though. It is really fantastic.

  44. That recipe is so unique! I would never imagine using avocado in that way. It’s worth a try for a get together to really shock guests when they hear the ingredients. I could have fun with it!

  47. OMG, I can’t tell you how awesome those pops look! If you sold them from a cart in downtown Austin you would be rich in one day!

  48. This looks perfect! I was just pushing the bottle of creme de menthe out of the way the other day (to get to the tequila) and thought, “I need to use this stuff up.” The avocado in this is brilliant too, color and creaminess!

  49. Okay you! I was hooked on just seeing the pie and then you have to go and cover it in chocolate and stick it in the freezer to make a pie-sicle. ohhhhhhhhhhh yummmmmmmmmm!

  56. What a strange name for a pie!

    The one thing I love about the pie’s recipe at a glace was that the green color came naturally from avocados! I made your red velvet cupcakes for the fourth of July, and I’ve made them many time before! I think it is just the amazing fact that the earth is so colorful!

    Enough about colors! I am curious about this pie. I’ve never heard of it. After I looked it up quickly on Google, I noticed how very un-vegan grasshopper pie is! So, CONGRATS on making what looked like an impossible un-vegan recipe in to a lovely natural vegan pie (and recipe!)! And covering it in chocolate! you’ve gone too far!

    I would love to get my hands on some vegan marshmallows!!! I am a semi-vegan, more vegan then vegetarian, now. But, once I found out what gelatin was, I freaked out! I find it hidden in so many things! I did manage to find Ricemellow. Which quickly turned into that favorite snake!

    Could you use ricemellow instead of the marshmallows? Like, with some thickener, cornstarch or agar-agar?

    Just wondering! :D

    LOVE

  58. Dude, seriously, my two favorite things: avocados and grasshopper pie. You are making it very hard for me to stay on my diet! But I do so miss your sweet little amigurumi, they were so inspiring! I hope you get more time to craft soon!

  59. I’ve never had Grasshopper Pie before, but the flavor combination sounds yummy.

    By the way, I finally got a copy of your cookbook. I am so excited to start making things from it, everything in it looks delicious!

  60. that is too funny and tasty. I had forgotten all about grasshopper pie. of course you had to hit it out of the park by covering it in chocolate. well done!

  61. Tried this recipe over the weekend. By itself as a frozen pie, I thought the first bites definitely tasted of avocado (although by b/f didn’t), but you seem to get used to it after the initial flavor quandry. We went ahead and tried the magic shell topping + stick stepm and it rocketed it to a new level of deliciousness. So if you’re thinking about trying it, go ahead and do the extra step of chocolate dipping. Totally worth it! The chocolate crust adds a nice texture to it too.

  62. So yummy, I want to try it. A unique recipe you have, something like every people have to look for it. Really, I was amaze with the recipe you have in a pie, it was just like i’m speechless :). It was just like my favorite sweets before which I really want to have them back also. Excellent recipe, want to try this one at home. Have a nice day.

  63. I’m up for anything with mint, and especially anything named Grasshopper! It looks so good.

  64. My great aunts and uncles started a delicious cake and pie company years ago. Every family gathering featured their delicious treats. My favorites? Their carrot cake and grasshopper pie.

    These are honestly the only two things that could make me break vegan. I was recently considering taking their recipe and finding a way to make it vegan, but I figured it would lead to much disaster in the kitchen. I’m not the best when it comes to experimenting.

    I’m glad to see that you’ve made a vegan type of grasshopper pie! I’ll have to try this soon.

    thanks for the recipe!

  66. So I made this, using the soy+peppermint extract option. Two things: 1) don’t over process the mixture after adding the marshmallows, it will deflate the filling. 2) DO NOT forget to put this back in the fridge after you sneak a bite before heading to work in the morning. You will come home to mud-coloured pie.
    I added chocolate chips to mine, mini chips would have been better but it was really fantastic. I also used wafer cookies rather than oreo-type cookies.
    Thanks so much for the recipe!

  69. Actually, the name “grasshopper pie” is thought to come from a drink from the 1960s called the Grasshopper, which also featured mint as its primary flavor.

    But anyway, your use of avocado is ingenious, and the pie looks absolutely lovely!

  72. The first pic was impressive… mint-green pie, fluffy and creamy and delish. Then I scrolled down and recognized the dipped-in-chocolate-pie…. Pi-sicles…. I am just speechless, mouthwatering, gasping, speechless!

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