Grasshopper Pie gets a stupid-healthy update from cashews, coconut, matcha, fresh mint, and an almond-cocoa crust. Gluten-free, vegan and optionally refined sugar-free.
Pi Day is the best holiday, amiright? It's a holiday where math, pizza, and pie lovers unite. No matter that I'm about as adept at math as I am at training my cat not to eat my cookies, my love of pie more than makes up for this fact, and I've been plotting and testing these green beauties for the past few weeks. So it is that I bring you these little pies in jars infused with fresh mint, matcha, and a crumbly almond-cocoa crust topped with minty coconut cream and chocolate shavings.
Math be damned, we're 100% hooked.
But full disclaimer: I've never had legit grasshopper pie. Regardless of whether eating insects is the future, the name is revolting. The ingredients – Oreos, marshmallow fluff, gelatin, and creme de menthe – are the same. But chocolate, mint, and cream? I'll take those in (just about) any form.
Grasshopper pie hales from the cocktail of the same name, and both stem from the era of jell-O salad, meatloaf, and Ham and Bananas Hollandaise, sometimes known as the "temporary insanity era of cooking." True to its jell-o-molded brethren, grasshopper pie has a chiffon filling of airy custard set with gelatin. The custard is infused with bright green Creme de Menthe liqueur, chilled in a chocolate cookie crust, and smothered in whipped cream. I'm sure the taste is more delicious than the ingredient list, but I wasn't about to find out, lest I end up like Evan Symon, a.k.a. Martha Stewart of the Damned.
The idea for this more wholesome version came to me one day at Sarah's as we discussed various uses for matcha, and we cooked up a plan for these uncooked pie-lets. Instead of the usual gluten-sugar-dairy-egg-gelatin-fest, I kept the whole thing ridiculously healthy, basing it on these chocolate cheesecakes which I adapted from Comfy Belly (and is one of this site's most-made recipes to date!).
Ground almonds, cocoa powder, and maple syrup make a super simple crust that gets packed into jars. The filling is a base of soaked cashews blended with maple syrup and water, plus a bit of ground chia seed to help the mixture gel while keeping it light and creamy. Blanching mint leaves and shocking them in ice water, then blending them into the filling, preserves its bright color and fresh flavor. (Trust me here. I tried simply blending in the raw leaves and they turned the whole thing baby-poop brown and gave it the flavor of an old refrigerator. When blanched, the resulting filling tastes like biting into a fresh bunch of mint.)
Matcha adds color and bittersweet, vegetal notes, and coconut oil helps the filling set. Straining the filling through a sieve isn't the most fun thing you'll do in the kitchen, but it beats marring your silky-smooth masterpiece with stringy leaves. I speak from experience.
Once the pie-lets have chilled, I top them with whipped coconut cream kissed with a few drops of peppermint extract, and shower the whole thing in chocolate shavings.
Dig into a finished pie (or "grasshopper," as Jay has taken to calling them) and your spoon will slice through a layer of flaky chocolate, a puff of coconut cream, a creamy green filling, and a crumbly chocolate crust. Slip a bite in your maw and the taste of fresh mint hits you first, followed by rich chocolate, a little je ne sais quoi from the matcha, and a nubby, nutty crust.
Unlike the grasshopper pies of yore, these are full of good-for-you fats from nuts and coconut, antioxidants from cocoa, mint, and matcha, and they come together in a snap, no oven required. They're not unlike a chocolate matcha mint cheesecake. I think the recipe could be doubled and shaped in a 9" pie pan or springform pan to feed a crowd.
I'm pretty sure they beat a Frosted Lime-Walnut Salad any day...
...but I'm not about to find out.
More Matcha Recipes:
- Matcha Mint Chip Popsicles {vegan}
- Matcha Ginger Affogato
- Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake + Matcha Frosting
- Matcha Mint Chip Ice Cream
- Nibby Matcha Wafers
- Chocolate Chip Matcha Cookies (GF vegan paleo)
More Paleo Desserts:
- Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Cream Tart
- Raw, Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
- Rawish, Vegan Pumpkin Pie
- Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Hazelnut Ganache No-Bake Brownies
- Vegan Lemon Tart with Berries & Coconut Cream
- 16 No-Bake Desserts for Any Occasion
*Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this grasshopper pie recipe, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.*
No-Bake Matcha Mint Grasshopper Pies in Jars {gluten-free, vegan}
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups sliced or whole almonds (130 g)
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (40 g)
- pinch fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (30 ml)
Filling:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in cool water for 4-12 hours (or covered in boiling water and soaked 1-2 hours) (135 g)
- 1 tablespoon finely ground white chia seed (6 g)
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons light maple syrup (grade A amber) (90 ml)
- pinch fine sea salt
- ½ cup cool water (120 ml)
- 2 ½ teaspoons unsweetened culinary-grade matcha powder
- ¾ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves (from 1-2 bunches) (20 g)
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons melted and cooled extra-virgin coconut oil
Topping:
- 1 small can coconut cream, chilled at least 2 hours (5.4 ounce / 160 ml)
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (10 ml)
- a few drops peppermint extract
- chocolate shavings, mint sprigs, and/or matcha, for garnish
Instructions
Crust:
- In the bowl of a food processor, process the almonds, cocoa powder and salt until the almonds are finely ground. Drizzle in the maple syrup and pulse until the mixture clumps together lightly. Divide the crust mixture among 4 (8-ounce) or 8 (4-ounce) jars or cups and pack gently; the crust mixture is easier to eat with a spoon when slightly loose.
Filling:
- Rinse and drain the cashews and place them in the bowl of a blender with the ground chia, salt, maple syrup, and half of the water. Blend on low, gradually increasing to high, gradually adding the remaining water. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until silky-smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed. If the mixture is warm to the touch, let it cool before proceeding to the next step – we want to keep the mixture cool so the mint doesn't oxidize.
- Bring a small kettle of water to a boil. Prepare a small ice bath by combining several ice cubes in a medium bowl with cool water. Place the mint leaves in a strainer, place the strainer over a bowl, and pour enough boiling water over the leaves to just wilt them, about 1 cup. Immediately dump the mint into the ice bath and stir until the mint is icy-cold, 1 minute. When the cashew mixture is ready, drain the mint, squeeze out excess moisture, and add to the blender along with the matcha powder. Blend on medium-high until the mint is broken down into tiny pieces. Add the melted coconut oil and blend until just combined; don't over process or the mixture could become grainy.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a large measuring pitcher or bowl and pour in the filling; it will be thick. Vigorously work the mixture through the strainer with a sturdy silicone spatula, pressing on the mint leaf dregs to extract all the good stuff; it will take a bit of effort but the silky-smooth results will be worth it! Now pour the filling into the jars over the crust. Cover and chill the jars until the filling is firm and set, 3-4 hours and up to 2 days.
Topping:
- Without tilting or shaking the can, remove the coconut cream from the refrigerator, open the can, and scrape the top creamy part into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the maple syrup and peppermint extract (a little goes a long way!) and whip until the mixture holds soft peaks.
- When the pies are firm, remove from the refrigerator, top each with a dollop of cream and handful of chocolate shavings, and serve.
- The pies keep well for up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Lili says
Such a pretty and healthy dessert, love the color! :-)
Tori says
These couldn't be lovlier or more tempting!!!!
Lisa Conner says
These look delicious, so creative, perfect for Spring!!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I am seriously mad at myself. I don't make pie often but the ONE time I did..I posted it last week. Because I forgot about pi day!
BUT that means I have more room to eat these pies! i LOVE that you made the classic healthier. Pinned!
Carrie Burrill says
This is such a great idea for Pi Day! I am never on top of these things... I wish I had a pie to post today.
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Your and Sarah's matcha creations are divine; your collaborations always end on a spectacular note! I love it when classics can be turned into something much healthier and tastier and you've done it with this sweet little number, Alanna! I'll take this over the classic any day! Just perfect! Thank you for this!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
Oh my god it's PI DAY. I totally forgot! As someone who doesn't love the typical fruit pie, these matcha mint babies are the perfect way to celebrate.
Elaine @ Flavour and Savour says
Thanks so much for making a healthier version of a classic dessert. There ARE those of us who don't like Oreo cookies or Creme de Menthe! And it's just so beautiful, too.
S. Tan says
These look so good! And fun to eat too! I'm going to try this with my little one - I think he would have fun assembling them!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
What an awesome recipe and that color is so cool!!
Tuulia says
Love your photography! And these look super delicious, love the combination of green + chocolate. Could have one right now!
sally says
I am gluten free and I am SO glad I found you. Your recipes are amazing!
Thanks!
Sarah | Well and Full says
Little jars of perfection! I can't get over how creamy these little pies are! :D
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Just adorable! As a chocolate mint lover, these are calling my name!
Gaby Dalkin says
All the trials and testing were certainly worth it because these look amazing!!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Oh my gosh, I'm dying over the "temporary insanity era of cooking" line. So true. Glad I wasn't really subjected to those things. Sounds kind of terrifying. Jello doesn't belong in every single food item! Lol! These pies are just perfection. I mean, mini anything has me totally swooning. And I love that they are naturally green! Cheers, friend. Miss you and see you soon! XOXO!
Alanna @ One Tough Cookie says
Ah, yes, the trusty "old refrigerator" flavour of blended mint. Just learned that lesson recently, myself, in smoothie form! These look absolutely gorgeous, Alanna, as always. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kokodynia says
Wholesome, indeed! Such a lovely color!
My cat is a cheesecake addict person, unluckily... When it comes to eat a piece average for human is obviously too big for cat, so the solution is to bite only top as well :-)
Allyson says
Um, I'm dying to try these. Also, I could hang these photographs in my home, amazing.
Jennifer Farley says
That matcha mint color just pops off my screen. What a gorgeous dessert!
ukkidsnutrition says
Beautiful pictures!
Marti says
It would be helpful if there were a comment section for those who have actually tried recipes (on any food blog).....OMG, Wow, and Awesome just
don't provide us novice cooks with informative tips & tweaks we need!
Jess says
I finally tried this, and found that no matter what I did, the mint still got brown even after being put in an ice bath. So it made the pie a baby poop brown instead of the pretty green. :( I even went and got another bunch of mint and tried the next day, but even after they were left in the ice bath, after the air hit them they turned brown...so I won't be trying it again. It smells good (have yet to eat it), but it looks awful. haha
Jess says
Would I be able to use regular chia seed meal? I can't find white chia seed meal anywhere except for online, but I'd rather not buy an entire 10.00 bag for just this recipe. Thanks!
Alanna says
Absolutely, the white is just for the look of it, but any will work just fine. :)
Jess says
Great! I went ahead and bought a bag of the white chia meal so I'll have enough to make plenty of these adorable pies, but that's good to know that I can use regular chia seed too. :)
Alanna says
Perfect! I love throwing chia meal in smoothies, too, if you're looking for more uses. And I use it in this lemon-berry version of these pies, too: https://bojongourmet.com/2016/06/no-bake-lemon-berry-coconut-cream-tart-vegan-gluten-free-refined-sugar-free/. Let me know how you like them! :)
Jess says
Ooh I will have to try the other recipe! & yes I love smoothies! I'll definitely let you know how it goes!
Ana says
I made these a couple of days ago and they are delicious. I also thought I saw a different version of these on your website using greens instead of matcha, but I can't find them again. Have you done such?
Alanna says
Hm, not that I can think of! Maybe it was on a different site?