In case you’re a fan of all issues mint-chocolate and the dreamy texture of a cream pie, this crème de menthe pie is about to turn out to be your new signature dessert. Layers of wealthy mint-chocolate ganache and light-weight, creamy mint cream filling studded with bits of darkish chocolate prime a chocolate cookie crumb crust. Cool, creamy mint chocolate bliss in each chew.
Assume grasshopper pie, however elevated (and alcohol-free). It tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream… however you don’t have to fret it melting, so you may take the time to savor each chew!
And the very best half? This pie requires zero fancy baking/adorning expertise. In case you can stir, chop, whip, and chill, you might be totally certified to make this holiday-showstopper-meets-year-round-treat.
I took this to a Halloween social gathering and my mates had been raving. Even the mint-averse crowd tried it and cherished it! It’s like no-bake cheesecake meets mint chocolate ice cream: cool, creamy, and completely balanced with none one taste taking on.
Why You’ll Love This Crème de Menthe Pie
- Almost no-bake (simply 10 minutes for the crust)
- Gentle, creamy, mousse-like filling (however simpler to make)
- Wealthy mint-chocolate ganache coats the Oreo cookie crust
- Good make-ahead dessert, because it wants time to sit back
- One other egg-free dessert recipe, and you can additionally make it gluten free through the use of gluten-free Oreos
- Tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream!
Elements You Want & Why
- Oreos: We examined this pie crust with mint-flavored Oreos, but it surely was extraordinarily greasy because of the peppermint oil within the Oreo filling. Stick to basic, common Oreos for the very best outcome.
- Butter: Somewhat melted butter to get the Oreo crumbs to stay collectively for the crust.
- Heavy Cream: You’ll use this for each the chocolate ganache layer, in addition to the mint cream filling layer.
- Chocolate: Bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate baking bars. Chop finely for each the ganache and the filling.
- Crème de Menthe Syrup + Peppermint Extract: This pie requires crème de menthe syrup, which is nonalcoholic and sweetened. I exploit Reese model, which I can discover within the ice cream toppings part of my grocery retailer. In case you can’t discover the syrup, see the recipe Notes for adapt the recipe with out it. We have now not examined this pie with crème de menthe liqueur.
- Cream Cheese: Simply sufficient to stabilize the filling, not sufficient to make it style like a mint cheesecake.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: To sweeten the cream filling.
Begin With the Crust
We’re utilizing the identical easy approach discovered over on my Oreo crust recipe web page. Pulse the Oreos (the entire Oreo, together with the chocolate cookies and the filling) right into a fantastic crumb, then mix the Oreo crumbs with some melted butter. Simply 2 elements and really straightforward.
Press the combination firmly right into a pie dish and bake the crust. I like to recommend starting with this step so the crust has time to chill down earlier than assembling. That is the one layer that requires baking—the remainder of the recipe is totally no-bake.
Mint-Chocolate Ganache
You solely want 2 elements for traditional chocolate ganache: chocolate and heavy cream. For at the moment’s creme de menthe pie, we’re including a splash of peppermint extract to it, for a clean chocolate-mint taste. See my chocolate ganache web page for those who want additional assist with making it.
Pour that attractive shiny ganache into the baked Oreo crust. Fastidiously tilt the pie dish to swirl the chocolate ganache throughout the underside and partly up the perimeters of the crust to coat it. Place it within the fridge or freezer to sit back when you make the creme de menthe pie filling.
Now that we’ve made a black-bottom crust, I don’t assume we are able to ever return to creating a plain Oreo crust with out a layer of ganache on prime. I imply, why hassle? 😉
Crème de Menthe Pie Filling
You want simply 6 elements for this candy and creamy filling, half of which you already acquired out to make the ganache! The steps will remind you of Nutella cream pie and peanut butter pie. Whip chilly heavy cream first, and set that apart.
Beat the softened cream cheese till it’s fully clean. Then beat within the confectioners’ sugar, crème de menthe, and peppermint extract. Here’s what that appears like:
Fold the whipped cream into the filling by hand. It should take a number of turns of your spatula—go slowly so that you don’t deflate the whipped cream. Lastly, fold within the chopped chocolate:
Unfold the mint cream filling into your chilled black-bottom pie crust. Then the entire pie wants to sit back for a minimum of 6 hours for the filling to set.
In case you’d like so as to add some garnishes earlier than serving, go for it! Topping this crème de menthe pie with whipped cream, recent mint sprigs, chocolate curls, and even Andes mints is a straightforward method to make for a fantastic presentation.
No. The cream cheese is important for stabilizing the filling. With out it, the combination received’t set correctly and will probably be too mushy to slice. There isn’t sufficient to make it style like cream cheese, but it surely does have a slight no-bake cheesecake taste to it.
Crème de menthe syrup is nonalcoholic and sweetened. I exploit Reese model, which is often obtainable within the ice cream toppings part of the grocery retailer. In case you can’t discover the syrup, see the recipe Notes for adapt the recipe with out it. We have now not examined this pie with crème de menthe liqueur.
We haven’t examined this pie with the alcoholic model, which is far stronger and never sweetened. It received’t be a 1:1 swap. In case you’d prefer to experiment, begin with a really small quantity, style as you go, and know the feel and taste could change.
It’s refreshing, however not overpowering. Once more, individuals who don’t even usually like mint chocolate loved this pie!
I don’t suggest it. Mint extract has each spearmint and peppermint flavoring. We examined it and the pie tasted like toothpaste, sadly! Peppermint extract has a sharper, cleaner taste and is extra becoming in a dessert like this.
This pie is a candy reminder that desserts don’t want sophisticated steps or crowded ingredient lists to really feel particular! With its creamy filling, refreshing mint taste, and chocolatey chew, it’ll be that dessert everybody requests time and again.
This recipe is a part of Sally’s Pie Week, an annual custom the place I share a handful of recent recipes that match into the pie/crisp/tart class. Be a part of the neighborhood under!
Description
In case you’re a fan of all issues mint-chocolate and the dreamy texture of a cream pie, this crème de menthe pie is about to turn out to be your new signature dessert. Cool, creamy mint chocolate bliss in each chew.
Crust
- 22 entire Oreo cookies (250g; not Double Stuf)*
- 4 Tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
Mint Chocolate Ganache
- 1/2 cup (120g/ml) heavy cream
- 4 ounces (113g) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped*
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Filling
- 1 cup (240g/ml) heavy cream, chilly
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 Tablespoons (45g/ml) crème de menthe syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 ounces (56g) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (or mini chocolate chips)
- non-obligatory for topping: home made whipped cream, recent mint leaves, chocolate curls/shavings
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Bake the crust: In a meals processor or blender, pulse 22 Oreos (together with the cream filling) right into a fantastic crumb. You need to have about 2 cups (packed) crumbs, or 250g. Pour crumbs into a big bowl. Add the melted butter and stir to mix. The combination will probably be thick and fairly moist. Attempt to smash/break up any giant chunks. Pour the combination into an un-greased 9-inch pie dish. With medium strain utilizing your hand, pat the crumbs down into the underside and up the perimeters to make a compact, thick crust. See Oreo crust web page for extra success suggestions if wanted. Bake for 10 minutes. Set the crust apart on a cooling rack to barely cool when you proceed.
- Make the mint chocolate ganache: Place chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Warmth the cream in a small saucepan over medium warmth, stirring sometimes. As quickly because it begins to simmer, instantly take away from warmth and pour over the chocolate. Let sit for two–3 minutes to melt the chocolate, then add within the peppermint extract. Stir gently till the ganache is clean. Pour it into the baked Oreo crust and unfold it throughout the underside and barely up the perimeters. If the crust has cooled, you may as well gently tilt the pie to swirl the ganache round. Place the pie on a cooling rack within the fridge to chill. Black-bottom crust should be fully cool earlier than filling.
- Make the filling: Utilizing a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the chilly heavy cream into stiff peaks on medium-high velocity, about 4 minutes. Put aside. Utilizing a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium velocity till completely clean and creamy. Scrape down the perimeters and up the underside of the bowl with a silicone spatula as wanted. Add the confectioners’ sugar, crème de menthe syrup, and peppermint extract and beat on medium-high velocity till mixed. Make certain there aren’t any giant lumps of cream cheese. If there are lumps, maintain beating till clean.
- Utilizing a silicone spatula, fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese combination till mixed. This takes a number of turns of your spatula. Mix slowly as you don’t need to deflate all of the air within the whipped cream. Lastly, fold the chopped chocolate into the filling.
- Unfold the filling into the cooled crust. Use an offset spatula to clean the highest.
- Cowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours and as much as 2 days. The longer it’s refrigerated, the higher the pie will arrange.
- Be at liberty to garnish the pie with whipped cream and/or recent mint leaves and chocolate curls. I used Ateco 826 Piping Tip for the whipped cream within the pictured pie. Utilizing a clear sharp knife, minimize into slices for serving. For neat slices, wipe the knife clear between every slice.
- Cowl and retailer leftover pie within the fridge or freezer for as much as 5 days.
Notes
- Make Forward & Freezing Directions: This pie is a superb make-ahead dessert as a result of it wants loads of time to sit back and set. As soon as assembled, cowl the pie tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours and as much as 2 days earlier than serving. You too can put together the crust and ganache layer as much as 3 days upfront. Hold coated within the fridge, then add the filling when prepared. The totally assembled pie could also be frozen for as much as 3 months; thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than serving.
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Meals Processor | Glass Mixing Bowls | 9-inch Pie Dish | Cooling Rack | Small Saucepan | Electrical Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Silicone Spatula | Small Offset Spatula | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Ateco 826 Piping Tip or Wilton 1M Piping Tip
- Crème de Menthe: This pie requires crème de menthe syrup, which is nonalcoholic and sweetened. I exploit Reese model, which I can discover within the ice cream toppings part of my grocery retailer. If you’re unable to search out or order crème de menthe syrup, regulate the filling as follows: Enhance the confectioners’ sugar to 1 cup (120g) and improve the peppermint extract to 1/2 teaspoon (or 3/4 tsp for those who actually love peppermint taste!), plus 1 drop mild inexperienced gel meals coloring, similar to Americolor Leaf Inexperienced (non-obligatory). We have now not examined this pie with crème de menthe liqueur.
- Oreo Cookies: We examined this pie crust with mint-flavored Oreos, however this can be very greasy because of the peppermint oil within the Oreo filling, so we don’t suggest utilizing these. Stick to basic common Oreos (not Double Stuf) for the very best outcome. See my Oreo crust web page for additional assist and shaping suggestions.
- Chocolate for Ganache: I like to recommend utilizing bittersweet or semi-sweet baking chocolate, usually offered in 4-ounce (113g) bars. I like Ghirardelli and Baker’s manufacturers. Keep away from utilizing chocolate chips as a result of they don’t soften as properly. See my chocolate ganache web page for extra info in addition to troubleshooting suggestions.
- Can I Use Mint Extract As a substitute of Peppermint Extract? I don’t suggest it. Mint extract has each spearmint and peppermint flavoring. We examined it and the pie tasted like toothpaste, sadly! Peppermint extract has a sharper, cleaner taste and is extra becoming in a dessert like this.
