We All Need... A COLD Mint Chocolate Chip Pie...

Using Your Freshly-Harvested Mint Leaves!

My favorite topic… Pie… Mint Chocolate Chip!

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cool, refreshing slice of Mint Chocolate Chip Pie, especially when it’s made with freshly-harvested mint from your garden. For those who want a delicious way to celebrate their mint harvest, this recipe is the perfect solution! With its creamy filling and delightful bursts of chocolate, it’s sure to be a favorite among family and friends.

I have compiled my tips and tricks which enable you to customize your own version of the following Mint Chocolate Chip Pie.

Here’s my key 9 variables for your consideration, or not:

1. Pie crust with graham crackers, chocolate chip cookies, oreos, etc.?

2. Use of organic green (blue and yellow) food coloring, or natural white for the icecream?

3. High quality dark chocolate rather than semi-sweet chocolate?

4. Use of home-made dark chocolate flakes or chips… Not the store-bought chips.

5. Andes Mints?

6. Mint / Regular Oreo Cookies?

7. Peanuts / Peanut Butter Chips?

8. Dark chocolate ganache for the surface of the pie?

9. Whipped cream, chocolate cream, vanilla cream?

I also want to mention that the serving of the pie is the best time to convey the fact that this pie was made using your OWN garden-grown mint, so make sure to place a small bouquet garni of fresh mint leaves on top.

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash

OK, Let’s make this thing!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of fresh mint leaves (peppermint or spearmint mint works best). Save some leaves for the final presentation of your pie.

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional, for extra minty flavor)

• 1 1/2 cups homemade chocolate flakes or chips (see sidebar)

• 1 chocolate pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

For the Chocolate Pie Crust (if homemade):

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (such as Oreos or chocolate graham crackers)

• 5 tablespoons melted butter

Photo by Rita Patrese on Unsplash

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash

Photo by American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash

Directions:

Step 1: Prepare the Mint Infusion

1. Harvest and Wash Mint: Pick your mint early in the morning when the oils are at their peak. Gently wash the leaves under cold water and pat them dry with a towel.

2. Infuse the Cream: In a small saucepan, warm the heavy cream over low heat (do not boil). Add the fresh mint leaves and stir them in, allowing the mint to steep in the warm cream for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Once the mint has infused the cream with its flavor, strain the cream into a bowl, pressing the mint to extract all the goodness. Discard the mint leaves. Let the mint-infused cream cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Crust (Optional)

If you're making the crust from scratch:

1. Combine the Cookie Crumbs and Butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.

2. Form the Crust: Press the mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie pan. Use the back of a spoon or a measuring cup to smooth the bottom and sides.

3. Chill the Crust: Place the crust in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to set.

Step 3: Create the Pie Filling

1. Whip the Cream: Using an electric mixer, beat the mint-infused cream until stiff peaks form.

2. Mix the Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract (if using). Gently fold the whipped cream into this mixture.

3. Add the Chocolate Flakes or Chips: Fold in the homemade chocolate flakes or chips (see sidebar).

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

1. Fill the Crust: Pour the creamy mint mixture into the prepared chocolate pie crust, spreading it evenly.

2. Freeze: Place the pie in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight, until firm.

Step 5: Ganache and Decoration

1. Ganache Topping: To make a rich ganache, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Pour over 1 cup of finely chopped dark chocolate (see sidebar) and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir gently until smooth and glossy. Pour this over the top of the frozen pie and smooth out with a spatula. Return to the freezer for 30 minutes to allow the ganache to set.

2. Whipped Cream and Mint Bouquet: Garnish the pie with dollops of freshly whipped cream and a small bouquet of fresh mint leaves for a stunning presentation. Simply whip 1 cup of heavy cream with a tablespoon of sugar until soft peaks form. Use a piping bag or spoon to decorate the edges of the pie.

Photo by Tetiana Bykovets on Unsplash

Sidebar: Choosing the Best Dark Chocolate and How to Make Homemade Chips or Flakes

For the richest flavor in your Mint Chocolate Chip Pie, store-bought chocolate chips can be replaced with homemade dark chocolate flakes or chips. Here’s how you can elevate your pie with high-quality chocolate:

Best Dark Chocolate to Use

• Callebaut 70% Dark Chocolate: This Belgian chocolate is smooth, melts easily, and has a rich, deep cocoa flavor that pairs wonderfully with mint.

• Valrhona Dark Chocolate (Guanaja 70%): Known for its slightly bitter, intense flavor and silky texture, Valrhona is another excellent choice for making your own chips or flakes.

• Scharffen Berger 62% Dark Chocolate: A slightly sweeter option, this high-quality chocolate has fruity and earthy undertones that work well with creamy mint desserts.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chips or Flakes

1. Melt the Chocolate: Using a double boiler, melt 8 ounces of your chosen dark chocolate until smooth.

2. Create the Flakes: Spread the melted chocolate thinly over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let it cool until it begins to harden but is still flexible. Use a spatula or knife to scrape the chocolate into flakes or shards.

3. Create Bite-Sized Chips: For chips, let the melted chocolate cool to room temperature, then pipe small dots of chocolate onto a parchment-lined sheet. Allow the dots to cool and harden completely before using.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Alternative Pie Crust

Want to try something different from the standard chocolate crust? Here’s how you can make a buttery graham cracker crust that pairs just as well with the minty filling:

• Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar.

• Instructions: Mix the crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl until well-combined. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan, smoothing the bottom and sides evenly. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes before filling.

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With these added touches, your Mint Chocolate Chip Pie will not only showcase the fresh mint from your garden but also deliver a gourmet experience with the best chocolate and a luscious ganache finish.

Until next time...

I am... Phil Wilson...

And, here's to living an Herbal Lifestyle With You!