to infuse a little sugar and vanilla with real mint, added a bunch of cream, and whipped away. The mint whipped cream does taste minty, but it’s a much more subtle flavor than the artificial mint flavoring often used in mint chocolate chip ice cream. So, you may be able to sell your loved ones on this dessert even if they’re not huge mint fanatics.
Mini Grasshopper Parfaits
Yield: 4 (4-6 ounce) servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini, but any size will work), plus extra for serving
1 and 3/4 cup heavy cream, divided
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed, plus a few sprigs for serving
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cups chopped nuts (I used walnuts and pecans), toasted if desired*
*To toast nuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat and cook, tossing frequently, until they smell nice and toasty (4-6 minutes).
Place the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, or melt in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, until smooth. Set aside to cool.
Place the mint leaves, sugar, and vanilla in the bottom of a two-cup glass measuring cup. Use the cocktail muddler
to mash everything together until the leaves are darker green and the mixture is very fragrant. Add the remaining 1 and 1/2 cups of cream, stir, and transfer to a large bowl. Use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to process the mixture until the mint is in tiny pieces. Continue to blend until the cream holds medium peaks.
To assemble the parfaits, place a layer of cooled chocolate ganache in the bottom of four small (4-6 ounce) jars. Top with a layer of chopped nuts, then a layer of mint whipped cream. Continue layering until all the ingredients have been used. Garnish with nuts, chocolate chips, and a mint sprig. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator, covered, and serve later the same day.
I received an Epica cocktail muddler for free using Tomoson.com. As always, all opinions are my own, and I only recommend products I use and enjoy.
What a clever idea, I bet it tastes as good as it sounds.
Thank you, Heide!
This sounds really good.
Thanks, Jackie!
These look amazing!
Thank you!!
ALL of your recipes look incredibly delicious… but I think i'm going to have to modify the recipe instructions to read:
Print out instructions
Hand to someone else to make
Wait until that person makes it
Enjoy the fruits of their labor
Haha! This one is pretty easy, though 🙂
This is a GREAT way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! Very cute and delicious!
Thank you, Betsy!