Pin it
I start craving this no bake peppermint treat as soon as December hits. It's got everything you want in a holiday dessert - smooth creamy inside, chocolatey cookie base, and those fun candy cane bits that bring instant holiday cheer. What's great? You won't need your oven at all, so there's plenty of room for baking those Christmas cookies everyone loves.
Ideal for Festive Celebrations
During the crazy holiday rush, I really value make-ahead dishes. This pie totally saves the day because I can whip it up a day early and stick it in the fridge. Everyone always gasps with delight when I serve it with those pretty red and white candy pieces on top.
What You'll Need
- Premade Oreo Crust: This shortcut will save you tons of time.
- Heavy Cream: This creates that airy, dreamy texture.
- Confectioners' Sugar: Blends in smoothly without any graininess.
- Cream Cheese: You'll need two packages for the perfect consistency.
- Red Color Drops: Just a bit for those pretty pink swirls.
- Vanilla: Gives a nice background flavor.
- Peppermint Extract: The main flavor hero in this dessert.
- Smashed Candy Canes: We'll put these inside and on top for fun crunch.
- Cool Whip: Makes the topping super simple.
- Additional Candy Canes: Because festive garnish makes everything better.
Making Your Dessert
- Whip your cream:
- Beat until it's nice and fluffy with firm peaks.
- Create the base mixture:
- Combine cream cheese with sugar until it's really smooth, then mix in your flavors and coloring.
- Combine everything:
- Carefully fold it all together into one smooth mixture.
- Add to crust:
- Spread it all in and smooth the top nicely.
- Finish it off:
- Add Cool Whip, scatter candy cane pieces, then let it set in the fridge.
Helpful Hints
Don't rush getting that cream cheese to room temp, it really makes your filling way smoother. Go easy with the peppermint at first, you can always add more drops later. And watch that cream when you're whipping it, you don't want to go too far and end up with something stiff.
Storage Advice
You can keep this dessert in your fridge for up to five days, though at my place it doesn't hang around that long. Want to plan further ahead? It freezes well for two months. Just wrap it carefully and let it thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Try These Twists
I sometimes switch to a graham cracker base or add some melted chocolate on the top. Throwing in chocolate chips with the candy cane pieces works really well too. There are so many ways to make this your own.
Christmas Tradition
This minty treat has worked its way into our must-have holiday foods. The combo of the smooth filling, bits of crunchy candy, and that chocolate base makes everyone reach for seconds. And since you can make it ahead, you'll have more time to enjoy all the holiday fun with your loved ones.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the purpose of folding the ingredients?
- Folding keeps the whipped cream fluffy and prevents the mixture from becoming dense. Stirring too hard might ruin the airy texture.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
- Sure, you can make it up to two days ahead. Just save the candy topping for last to keep it crunchy.
- → Is Cool Whip swappable for whipped cream?
- Yep, you can use firm, homemade whipped cream instead. Just make sure it’s well-whipped so it holds up.
- → How long does it last?
- It’s good for 4 to 5 days in the fridge. Just note the candy bits might lose their crunch after a while.
- → Can this pie be frozen?
- Yes, freeze for up to a month. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and top with fresh candy before enjoying.