Every holiday season, there's always that one dessert that makes everyone smile before they even take a bite. This No Bake Grinch Pie is exactly that kind of treat. Bright green, playful, and topped with cheerful red hearts, it captures the whimsical spirit of the Grinch in the most delicious way possible. The first time I made this pie, it instantly became the centerpiece of the dessert table-and not a single slice was left behind.
What makes this pie so special isn't just how fun it looks, but how easy it is to make. With no oven required and just a handful of simple ingredients, this dessert is perfect for busy holiday schedules, last-minute gatherings, or baking with kids. Creamy, light, and festive, this Grinch-inspired pie is guaranteed to steal hearts-just like the Grinch himself.
Why You'll Love No Bake Grinch Pie
- No baking required, perfect for holiday hustle
- Bright, festive colors that wow guests instantly
- Creamy and light texture everyone loves
- Kid-friendly and fun to make together
- Perfect make-ahead dessert
- Great for Christmas parties, movie nights, or potlucks
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1 Oreo pie crust
A chocolatey base that balances the sweet, creamy filling. - 1 box white chocolate pudding (3.9 oz)
Creates the smooth, rich flavor and structure of the pie. - 2 cups 2% milk (cold)
Essential for thickening the pudding properly. - ½ container Cool-Whip
Adds lightness and fluff to the filling. - 2-3 drops neon green gel food coloring
Gives that signature bold Grinch-green color. - 1-2 drops green food coloring
Helps deepen and balance the green shade. - ½ cup green sanding sugar
Adds sparkle and texture to the topping. - ½ cup mini red heart sprinkles
Represents the Grinch's growing heart. - ½ cup large red heart sprinkles
Adds dimension and extra festive flair.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the pudding base
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the white chocolate pudding mix and cold milk.
- Whisk for about 2 minutes until thickened and smooth.
- Fold in Cool-Whip
- Gently fold half of the Cool-Whip into the pudding mixture.
- Use a spatula and light strokes to keep the filling airy and smooth.
- Color the filling
- Add neon green gel food coloring a few drops at a time.
- Add 1-2 drops of regular green food coloring to deepen the shade.
- Mix well until you achieve a bright Grinch-green color.
- Fill the crust
- Pour the green pudding mixture evenly into the Oreo pie crust.
- Smooth the top gently with a spatula.
- Add the fluffy layer
- Fold the remaining Cool-Whip into any remaining pudding mixture.
- Spread this fluffy layer carefully over the top of the pie.
- Decorate
- Sprinkle green sanding sugar evenly over the top layer.
- Scatter both mini and large red heart sprinkles across the surface.
- Chill to set
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
- Chilling helps the layers firm up and makes slicing easier.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve
- Serve this No Bake Grinch Pie chilled for the best texture.
- Slice with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for clean slices.
- Garnish individual slices with extra heart sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Perfect for Christmas parties, classroom treats, or holiday movie nights.
How to Store
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 3 days.
- Make-ahead tip: This pie is ideal to make a day in advance.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as pudding-based pies can separate when thawed.
Helpful Notes
- Cold milk is key:
Warm milk won't allow the pudding to thicken properly. - Color gradually:
Food coloring is powerful-add slowly to avoid an overly dark green. - Smooth layers:
Take your time spreading layers for a neat presentation. - Extra crunch idea:
Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a minty holiday twist. - Kid-approved activity:
Decorating the pie is a fun job for little helpers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool-Whip?
Yes, stabilized whipped cream works well, but Cool-Whip holds its shape longer. - What if I can't find neon green gel food coloring?
Regular green food coloring works-just add a bit more for brightness. - Can I use a different pie crust?
Absolutely! A graham cracker crust or chocolate cookie crust works great. - How far in advance can I make this pie?
Up to 24 hours ahead is ideal for best texture and flavor. - Is this pie very sweet?
It's sweet but balanced by the light, airy filling and chocolate crust.
Final Thoughts
This No Bake Grinch Pie is one of those desserts that brings pure holiday joy. I've made it several times during Christmas gatherings, and it never fails to draw compliments-especially from kids who love the bright color and playful heart decorations. The creamy pudding, fluffy topping, and crunchy crust make every bite comforting and fun.
No Bake Grinch Pie
No Bake Grinch Pie is a fun and festive Christmas dessert made with creamy white chocolate pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and a chocolate Oreo crust. Colored bright Grinch-green and topped with red heart sprinkles, this easy no-bake pie is perfect for holiday parties, kids' treats, and make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 Oreo pie crust
- 1 box 3.9 oz white chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups 2% milk cold
- ½ container Cool-Whip
- 2 -3 drops neon green gel food coloring
- 1 -2 drops green food coloring
- ½ cup green sanding sugar
- ½ cup mini red heart sprinkles
- ½ cup large red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the white chocolate pudding mix with cold milk according to package directions until thickened.
- Gently fold in half of the Cool-Whip until smooth and creamy.
- Add neon green gel food coloring and green food coloring a few drops at a time, mixing until a bright Grinch-green color is achieved.
- Pour the green pudding mixture evenly into the Oreo pie crust and smooth the top.
- Fold the remaining Cool-Whip into any remaining pudding mixture and spread over the pie to create a fluffy top layer.
- Sprinkle green sanding sugar evenly over the top.
- Decorate with mini and large red heart sprinkles.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set, before serving.
Notes
- Always use cold milk so the pudding thickens properly.
- Add food coloring gradually to avoid overly dark green filling.
- This pie is best made a day ahead for easy slicing and maximum flavor.
- For extra holiday crunch, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top with the hearts.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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