There’s something so delightfully refreshing about a dessert that combines cool mint with rich chocolate—enter the Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe. With a luscious Oreo crust, silky mint chocolate ganache, and a fluffy minty filling, this pie is a celebration of flavor and texture that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this pie a handful of times now, and honestly, it’s become my go-to treat when I want something special but not too complicated. The mint chocolate combo is a classic for a reason—it’s cool, creamy, and downright addictive. Trust me, your friends and family will be begging for the recipe after one bite.
- Decadent yet refreshing: The pie blends rich chocolate with bright mint flavors beautifully, making each slice feel like a refreshing indulgence.
- Simple to assemble: Despite the fancy flavors, the steps are straightforward and manageable—even if you’re not a seasoned baker.
- Versatile for occasions: Whether it’s a casual gathering or a holiday celebration, this pie is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare much of it ahead of time, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen right before serving.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe plays a special role to build layers of flavor and texture. From the crunchy Oreo crust to the fluffy mint-infused filling, let’s break it down so you’ll understand why each component is so important.
- Oreo Cookies: The classic cookie base forms a firm, chocolaty crust that holds the pie together—make sure to use regular Oreos (not Double Stuf) for the right crumb balance.
- Unsalted Butter: Melts into the Oreo crumbs to bind them and create a sturdy yet tender crust.
- Bittersweet or Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Used in both the ganache and filling, this adds deep chocolate flavor without overpowering the mint.
- Heavy Cream: Whipped into the filling and used in the ganache, it contributes richness and a silky mouthfeel.
- Cream Cheese: Gives the filling a smooth, creamy texture and slight tang to balance the sweetness.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the filling smoothly without grittiness.
- Crème de Menthe Syrup: Provides the quintessential mint flavor and a lovely green hue—nonalcoholic and sweetened, it’s a crucial ingredient for this pie.
- Peppermint Extract: Enhances the minty punch with a sharp, fresh note that complements the crème de menthe.
- Optional Toppings: Homemade whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and chocolate curls to add visual appeal and extra indulgence.
Make It Your Way
I love that this pie lends itself nicely to a little personalization. Whether you like a stronger mint flavor or prefer it gently minty, you can tweak a few things to suit your taste. Plus, it’s easy to add chocolate chips or swap topping ideas to make it truly your own.
- Stronger Mint Flavor: If you really enjoy mint, try increasing the peppermint extract slightly or adding a drop of green food coloring for festive flair—it’s my go-to for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Chocolate Variation: Occasionally, I substitute half the bittersweet chocolate with a good-quality milk chocolate for a sweeter touch. It mellows out the bittersweet notes and kids usually love it.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: While I haven’t tested this myself, swapping the cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives and using coconut cream might work—let me know if you try it!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe
Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Oreo Crust
First things first, let’s get that crust right. I start by pulsing 22 Oreos in a food processor until they become fine crumbs—cream filling included for extra richness. Don’t rush this; you want a crumb that’s uniform and packed tightly. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture feels thick and slightly wet. Then press it firmly into your pie dish, making sure to push it up the sides evenly. Baking this for 10 minutes sets it nicely so it won’t crumble when you cut into the pie later. One tip: if any big chunks appear in your crumbs, smash them with the back of a spoon—it helps the crust bake uniformly.
Step 2: Whipping Up the Mint Chocolate Ganache
While the crust cools, it’s ganache time. Chop your bittersweet chocolate finely to help it melt smoothly. Heat half a cup of heavy cream until it just starts to simmer—don’t let it boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes. Then stir gently until it transforms into a glossy, luscious ganache. Stir in the peppermint extract last so it stays fresh and bright. Pour the ganache over your crust, swirling it to coat the bottom and edges. Trust me, this layer really elevates the pie’s chocolate depth. Pop it in the fridge to set while you prepare the filling.
Step 3: Creating the Dreamy Mint Filling
Cold heavy cream gets whipped to stiff peaks—this takes a few minutes but is key for that fluffy texture. Separately, I beat the softened cream cheese until silky smooth, then mix in confectioners’ sugar, crème de menthe syrup, and a touch of peppermint extract. The smell at this stage is just heavenly! Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, taking care not to deflate the fluff you just created. Finally, fold in the chopped chocolate or mini chips for a bit of fun texture. The filling should be light but packed with minty goodness.
Step 4: Assembling and Chilling Your Pie
Spread the filling evenly over your chilled ganache crust using an offset spatula for a smooth finish. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. This waiting period is critical—it lets everything firm up so slicing is neat and the flavors meld perfectly. If you’re prepping ahead for a party, this pie improves in flavor if you let it rest even longer—just cover it tightly to keep it fresh.
Top Tip
From my own kitchen experiments, I’ve learned that taking your time with each layer makes all the difference. Rushing leads to a less-than-ideal texture or flavor balance, but a little patience goes a long way.
- Crust Compression: Firmly pressing the Oreo crumb mixture into the pie dish helps prevent crumbling later—don’t be afraid to get your hands a bit dirty!
- Chocolate Quality: Invest in a good-quality baking chocolate, not chocolate chips, for a smooth ganache texture and richer flavor.
- Whip Cream to Stiff Peaks: Soft peaks won’t hold the filling’s structure well, so whip it just right for that light-yet-sturdy consistency.
- Chilling is Key: Don’t skip the chilling time—it lets the pie set properly and deepens those mint chocolate flavors.
How to Serve Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it classic with a swirl of homemade whipped cream on top, a few fresh mint leaves for color, and generous chocolate curls or shavings to echo the chocolate within. The garnish isn’t just for looks—it adds fresh texture and intensifies that mint-chocolate vibe that makes the pie pop.
Side Dishes
This pie stands beautifully alone, but if I’m serving a full dessert spread, I often include fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The fruit’s tartness balances the richness perfectly, creating a well-rounded dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve experimented with piping the whipped cream in little mint-green rosettes using a star tip, then sprinkling edible gold dust or crushed candy canes on top for festive sparkle. Making individual mini pies in ramekins is another fun way to serve guests while controlling portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pie keeps beautifully in the fridge, tightly covered. I usually store mine in the original pie dish covered with plastic wrap, and it stays fresh for up to 5 days. The flavor actually seems to deepen after a day or two, so if you have leftovers, you’re in for a treat.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this pie wrapped well in plastic and then foil, and it holds up surprisingly well for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw it slowly overnight in the fridge before serving to preserve that creamy texture and prevent condensation from making the crust soggy.
Reheating
This is one dessert best enjoyed chilled, so I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, simply let any frozen slices thaw in the fridge and then serve. The pie’s freshness and texture shine when served cool.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I don’t recommend using crème de menthe liqueur because the alcohol can affect the texture and the flavor balance of the pie. The syrup is sweetened and alcohol-free, which plays a key role in both sweetening and flavoring the filling consistently.
Classic regular Oreos (not Double Stuf or mint-flavored) are ideal because they give just the right amount of cream filling to bind the crust without making it greasy. Mint Oreos were tested but proved too oily for this recipe.
Since traditional Oreos contain gluten, you’d need to substitute them for a gluten-free chocolate cookie crust. Be sure to check the labels and try a similar crumb crust—you might need to adjust the butter amount to get the right texture.
Use a clean, sharp knife and wipe it between slices to avoid smearing the filling and ganache. Chilling the pie well before slicing helps the filling stay firm for neat portions.
Final Thoughts
This Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire. Its balance of creamy, minty, and chocolaty elements is a treat worth the wait and effort. I genuinely enjoy making it for gatherings because it sparks joy and compliments any meal perfectly. Give it a try — I’m confident you’ll make it again and again, just like I do.
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Crème de Menthe Mint Chocolate Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crème de Menthe Pie is a refreshing mint chocolate dessert featuring a crunchy Oreo cookie crust, a rich mint chocolate ganache layer, and a creamy peppermint-flavored filling. Perfect for mint lovers, it combines the smoothness of cream cheese and whipped cream with the brightness of crème de menthe syrup, all set in a chilled pie for a cool, indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Crust
- 22 whole Oreo cookies (250g; not Double Stuf)
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
Mint Chocolate Ganache
- ½ cup (120g/ml) heavy cream
- 4 ounces (113g) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Filling
- 1 cup (240g/ml) heavy cream, cold
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons (45g/ml) crème de menthe syrup
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 ounces (56g) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (or mini chocolate chips)
Optional Topping
- Homemade whipped cream
- Fresh mint leaves
- Chocolate curls or shavings
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). In a food processor or blender, pulse the Oreo cookies until they form fine crumbs (about 2 cups or 250g). Transfer crumbs to a large bowl, add melted butter, and mix thoroughly to combine. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch pie dish to form a compact crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside on a cooling rack to cool slightly.
- Make the mint chocolate ganache: Place the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then immediately pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 2–3 minutes to soften, then add the peppermint extract and stir gently until smooth. Pour the ganache into the baked crust and spread evenly across the bottom and slightly up the sides. Refrigerate the crust with ganache on a cooling rack until completely cool.
- Prepare the filling: Using a mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the cold heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar, crème de menthe syrup, and peppermint extract, and continue beating until well combined and smooth without lumps.
- Combine filling ingredients: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture slowly with a silicone spatula, to retain as much air as possible. Then fold in the chopped chocolate pieces evenly.
- Assemble the pie: Spread the filling evenly over the cooled ganache crust using an offset spatula to smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days to fully set.
- Serve and garnish: Before serving, optionally decorate the pie with homemade whipped cream, fresh mint leaves, and chocolate curls. Use a clean, sharp knife for slicing, wiping it between each cut for neat pieces. Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator or freezer for up to 5 days.
Notes
- This pie is excellent as a make-ahead dessert; chill at least 6 hours and up to 2 days.
- You can prepare the crust and ganache layers up to 3 days in advance; keep refrigerated before adding filling.
- The fully assembled pie freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in fridge before serving.
- Use classic regular Oreos (not Double Stuf or mint-flavored) for the best crust texture and flavor.
- If crème de menthe syrup isn't available, increase confectioners’ sugar to 1 cup (120g) and peppermint extract to ½ teaspoon (or ¾ teaspoon for stronger flavor), adding a drop of green gel food coloring if desired.
- Avoid using mint extract instead of peppermint extract as it can taste like toothpaste.
- Use finely chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet baking chocolate for best ganache results; chocolate chips don’t melt as smoothly.
- For easier slicing, chill pie very well and clean knife between slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (⅛th of pie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg

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