Description
This No-Bake Grinch Pie is a whimsical and delightful dessert perfect for the holiday season. With its vibrant red cookie crust, creamy green filling, and playful heart sprinkles, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, especially for kids and Grinch fans of all ages. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring no baking at all, making it an ideal treat for busy holiday schedules or when you need a quick and impressive dessert.
Ingredients:
For the Red Cookie Crust:
- 2 cups red velvet cookie crumbs (or red Oreos, crushed very finely)
- 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
For the Grinch Filling:
- 1 box (3.9 oz) white chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold 2% milk
- ½ container Cool Whip (about 4 oz), thawed
- 2–3 drops neon green gel food coloring
- 1–2 drops regular green food coloring
For Decorating (Matches the Image):
- ½ cup green sanding sugar
- ½ cup mini red heart sprinkles
- ½ cup large red heart sprinkles
- Extra Cool Whip tinted with neon green food coloring for piping on top
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Red Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine finely crushed red velvet cookies with melted butter and sugar.
Step 2:
Stir until the texture feels like wet sand.
Step 3:
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish.
Step 4:
Freeze for 10 minutes while preparing the filling.
Step 5: Make the Grinch Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together the white chocolate pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened.
Step 6:
Fold in the Cool Whip gently to create a creamy, fluffy mixture.
Step 7:
Add the neon green gel food coloring and regular green food coloring until the filling matches the pale green tone seen in the photo.
Step 8:
Fold in a generous amount of green sanding sugar for speckles throughout.
Step 9: Assemble the Pie
Spoon the green filling evenly into the chilled red crust.
Step 10:
Smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 11: Decorate (Exactly Like the Image)
Tint a small bowl of Cool Whip with more neon green food coloring.
Step 12:
Pipe 8–10 swirled dollops around the top edge of the pie.
Step 13:
Generously sprinkle mini and large red heart sprinkles over the entire surface.
Step 14:
Add extra green sanding sugar for the colorful speckled look.
Step 15: Chill
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until fully set and firm enough to slice cleanly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-Bake Convenience: Perfect for when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Festive and Fun: The Grinch-themed colors and decorations make it ideal for holiday parties.
- Easy to Customize: Adjust the colors and sprinkles to match any theme.
- Kid-Friendly: A delightful treat that kids will love to help make and eat.
- Make-Ahead Dessert: Can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for entertaining.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve chilled, straight from the refrigerator.
- Garnish with extra Cool Whip and sprinkles before serving.
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
- Serve as part of a holiday dessert buffet.
Tips:
- For the sharpest slices and best crunch, chill overnight and decorate within a few hours of serving.
- If you can’t find red velvet cookies, red Oreos work great as a substitute.
- Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve your desired shade of green.
- Make sure the crust is firmly pressed into the pie dish for a sturdy base.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner cut off for easy decorating.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes (includes chilling time)
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.)
Calories: Approximately 350 per serving Protein: Approximately 3g per serving Sodium: Approximately 200mg per serving
Conclusion
This No-Bake Grinch Pie is a simple yet stunning dessert that’s sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Its vibrant colors, creamy texture, and delightful decorations make it a standout treat for any holiday celebration. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the joy of sharing this festive pie with your loved ones!
Questions and Answers about This Recipe:
Q1: Can I make this pie ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! This pie is perfect for making ahead of time. In fact, chilling it overnight is recommended for the best texture and easiest slicing. Just decorate it within a few hours of serving to keep the sprinkles fresh.
Q2: I can’t find red velvet cookies. What can I use instead?
A: Red Oreos are a great substitute. Simply crush them very finely, and they’ll work perfectly in the crust. You can also use any other red-colored cookie, but red velvet adds a nice flavor.
Q3: Can I use a different type of pudding mix?
A: Yes, you can experiment with other pudding flavors, but white chocolate provides the best base for the green color and complements the overall sweetness of the pie. Vanilla pudding would also work well.
Q4: How do I get the green color just right?
A: Start with a few drops of neon green gel food coloring and add regular green food coloring gradually until you achieve the desired shade. Remember, gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid, so use it sparingly to avoid an overly artificial look.
Q5: Can I freeze this pie?
A: While technically you can freeze it, the texture of the Cool Whip may change slightly upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or chilled for a few days in the refrigerator. If you do freeze it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
