Grasshopper Parfaits Recipe

Sweet & Minty Grasshopper Parfaits Recipe: A Dreamy Treat

Creamy grasshopper parfaits dance with decadent mint chocolate flavors that promise pure dessert excitement.

Sweet layers blend rich textures and cool sensations in every delightful spoonful.

Chocolate cookie crumbles add delightful crunch between smooth pudding and whipped cream.

Minimal ingredients make this treat surprisingly simple to craft in your kitchen.

Elegant yet playful, these parfaits work perfectly for casual gatherings or special celebrations.

Cool mint and chocolate marry beautifully, creating a dessert that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated.

Whip up this delightful recipe and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Why Grasshopper Parfaits Make Dessert So Effortless

  • Create Stunning Layers: Build visually appealing dessert with contrasting chocolate and mint green colors that instantly wow guests and make every spoonful Instagram-worthy.
  • Master Simple Technique: Assemble this dessert using basic kitchen skills like crumbling cookies, whipping cream, and layering, making it accessible for home cooks of all experience levels.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize parfaits by adjusting mint intensity, swapping cookie types, or adding extra chocolate garnishes to match individual taste preferences.
  • Impress Without Stress: Prepare ahead of time and quickly finish with final touches, perfect for dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or spontaneous sweet cravings without complicated preparation.

What Goes Into Easy Grasshopper Parfaits

Base Layer:
  • Chocolate Cookies: A crunchy foundation that provides a rich, chocolatey base for the parfait.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the cookie crumbs together.
  • Unsalted Butter: Melts to create a cohesive and compact cookie crust.
Cream Layer:
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a light, airy texture that serves as the primary component of the parfait.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
  • Crème de Menthe Liqueur: Infuses a distinctive mint flavor and green color to the cream.
  • Green Food Coloring: Enhances the mint-green appearance of the cream.
Garnish:
  • Chocolate Sauce, Chocolate Shavings, Crushed Chocolate Mint Cookies, Chopped Mint Leaves: Provide additional flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the dessert.

How To Assemble Grasshopper Parfaits Like A Pro

Step 1: Create Chocolate Mint Cookie Base

Crush chocolate cookies into fine, even crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin. The goal is to achieve a uniform, sand-like texture that will form a delicious foundation for your parfait.

Mix the cookie crumbs with melted butter and sugar until the mixture holds together when pressed. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of serving glasses, creating a compact and even layer.

Step 2: Whip Dreamy Mint Cream

Pour cold heavy cream into a chilled mixing bowl. Whip the cream until soft peaks begin to form, then gently fold in powdered sugar to create a light and fluffy texture.

Step 3: Infuse Mint Flavor

Add crème de menthe liqueur and a few drops of green food coloring to the whipped cream. Gently fold the ingredients together until you achieve a vibrant mint-green color and consistent flavor throughout the cream.

Step 4: Layer and Chill Parfaits

Carefully spoon or pipe the mint cream over the chocolate cookie base in each glass. Create smooth, even layers for a beautiful presentation.

Refrigerate the parfaits for about 30 minutes, allowing the layers to set and the flavors to blend together perfectly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, drizzle chocolate sauce over the chilled parfaits for an extra touch of decadence.

Sprinkle the top with:
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Crushed chocolate mint cookies
  • Finely chopped fresh mint leaves

Present the parfaits immediately, showcasing your elegant and refreshing dessert that combines rich chocolate and cool mint flavors.

Helpful Tips For Creamy Grasshopper Parfaits

  • Crush Cookies Perfectly: Use a food processor or rolling pin to achieve fine, uniform crumbs that create a smooth, compact base layer.
  • Chill Whipping Tools: Refrigerate your mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream to help it reach perfect soft peaks faster and maintain stability.
  • Control Mint Intensity: Adjust crème de menthe quantity to balance flavor, ensuring the mint doesn't overpower the dessert's delicate profile.
  • Create Neat Layers: Use a piping bag or a spoon with a steady hand to create clean, professional-looking layers in your parfait glasses.
  • Enhance Garnish Texture: Toast chocolate shavings or crush mint cookies just before sprinkling to maximize crunch and flavor impact.

Fresh Variations On Grasshopper Parfaits

  • Tropical Mint Escape: Replace crème de menthe with coconut cream and add diced pineapple for a tropical flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Coffee Crunch: Incorporate espresso powder into the cream and add chocolate-covered espresso beans as a topping.
  • Berry Mint Fusion: Mix pureed strawberries or raspberries into the cream and garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves.
  • Nutty Mint Adventure: Fold chopped toasted almonds into the cookie base and sprinkle crushed pistachios on top for extra texture.

What Pairs Best With Grasshopper Parfaits

  • Pair Sweet Chocolate Merlot: Rich, dark Merlot wine complements the deep chocolate notes, enhancing the dessert's decadent flavors with its smooth, velvety texture.
  • Serve Crisp Mint Mojito: Refreshing mint mojito echoes the parfait's mint cream, creating a harmonious flavor profile that highlights the cool, zesty undertones.
  • Match Espresso Martini: Bold espresso martini cuts through the dessert's sweetness, providing a sophisticated contrast and cleansing the palate with its intense coffee notes.
  • Combine Irish Cream Liqueur: Creamy Irish cream adds another layer of indulgence, blending seamlessly with the mint and chocolate elements for a luxurious after-dinner experience.

How To Store Grasshopper Parfaits The Right Way

  • Transfer parfaits to an airtight container, keeping them in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and prevent flavor loss.
  • Wrap individual parfaits tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to store for 1-2 weeks, ensuring minimal exposure to air to prevent freezer burn.
  • Separate parfaits with parchment paper when stacking in storage to prevent crushing or mixing of delicate layers and maintain their elegant presentation.
  • Store chocolate shavings and garnishes separately in sealed containers to keep them crisp and prevent moisture absorption, adding them just before serving for maximum texture and visual appeal.

Grasshopper Parfaits FAQ For No-Bake Fans

  • What are the key ingredients for Grasshopper Parfaits?

The key ingredients include chocolate cookies, butter, heavy cream, crème de menthe liqueur, green food coloring, powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, and chocolate mint cookies.

  • Can I make this dessert non-alcoholic?

Yes, replace crème de menthe with mint extract and adjust the quantity to taste, maintaining the mint flavor without alcohol.

  • How difficult is this recipe for home cooks?

This is a beginner-friendly recipe that requires basic skills like mixing, whipping cream, and layering ingredients. No complex techniques are needed.

  • Is this dessert suitable for special occasions?

Absolutely! Grasshopper Parfaits are elegant, visually appealing, and perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or romantic desserts with their impressive presentation and rich mint-chocolate flavor.

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Grasshopper Parfaits Recipe

Grasshopper Parfaits Recipe


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4.8 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Cool grasshopper parfaits deliver delightful mint chocolate magic with layers of creamy indulgence. Refreshing and elegant, these desserts promise sweet satisfaction for chocolate and mint enthusiasts seeking a sophisticated treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Base:

  • 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar

Cream Layer:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup crème de menthe liqueur
  • 1/4 cup green food coloring

Garnish:

  • 1/4 cup chocolate shavings
  • 2 tbsp mint leaves, chopped
  • 4 chocolate mint cookies, crushed
  • 1/4 cup chocolate sauce

Instructions

  1. Pulverize chocolate cookies into fine crumbs, ensuring a uniform texture for the base layer.
  2. Blend melted butter and granulated sugar with cookie crumbs until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed.
  3. Distribute crumb mixture evenly among serving glasses, gently pressing down to create a compact foundation.
  4. Whip heavy cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form, gradually incorporating powdered sugar.
  5. Fold crème de menthe liqueur and green food coloring into the whipped cream, creating a vibrant mint-colored cream.
  6. Carefully layer the mint cream over the chocolate cookie base, using a piping bag or spoon for precise application.
  7. Refrigerate parfaits for 30 minutes to allow layers to set and flavors to meld.
  8. Drizzle chocolate sauce over the chilled parfaits just before serving.
  9. Sprinkle chocolate shavings, crushed chocolate mint cookies, and chopped mint leaves on top for a decorative and flavorful garnish.
  10. Serve immediately, presenting the parfaits as an elegant and refreshing dessert.

Notes

  • Crush cookies using a food processor or rolling pin for consistent, fine crumbs that create a sturdy base.
  • Use room temperature butter for easier mixing with cookie crumbs, ensuring a perfectly compact foundation.
  • Chill the whipping bowl and beaters beforehand to achieve maximum cream volume and stability.
  • Adjust mint flavor intensity by gradually adding crème de menthe, tasting as you mix to suit personal preference.
  • Swap crème de menthe with mint extract for a non-alcoholic version that’s kid-friendly and equally delicious.
  • Prep ingredients in advance and assemble parfaits shortly before serving to maintain optimal texture and presentation.
  • Store leftover parfaits covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, though best consumed immediately for peak freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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