No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie Recipe
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If you’re looking to add a festive, eye-catching dessert to your holiday table that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious, look no further than this No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie. Bursting with creamy textures and refreshing peppermint flavors, this pie comes together with simple ingredients and no oven required, making it a perfect treat to whip up even on busy holiday days. Its vibrant red and white swirls and crunchy peppermint topping deliver a delightful holiday wow factor that’s sure to impress family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie plays a crucial role in making it a velvety, minty masterpiece with a festive look. From the creamy cream cheese to the crunchy peppermint pieces, every component contributes to the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
- Oreo pie crust: Provides a rich, chocolatey base that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to stiff peaks for a fluffy, smooth pie filling.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture perfectly without any grit.
- Cream cheese (2 packages, softened): Adds tanginess and structure; make sure it’s full-fat and room temperature for best results.
- Red food coloring: Just a few drops create festive swirls that make the pie pop visually.
- Vanilla essence: Enhances the overall flavor and rounds out the peppermint notes.
- Peppermint flavoring: Brings that refreshing holiday spirit – remember to add it little by little to suit your taste.
- Crushed peppermint candy canes or mints (½ cup): Adds a delightful crunch and bursts of minty sweetness inside the pie.
- Cool Whip: For a light and creamy topping, adding even more festive flair.
- Crushed peppermint candies (for garnish): A crunchy, colorful finishing touch that elevates the presentation.
How to Make No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie
Step 1: Whip the Heavy Cream
Begin by whipping your cold heavy cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. This fluffy whipped cream will give your pie that wonderful light texture everyone loves. Once it’s ready, set it aside; you’ll be folding it into the cream cheese mixture shortly.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Next, add your red food coloring, vanilla essence, and peppermint flavoring; mix until the color is uniform and the aroma of peppermint fills your kitchen. Gently fold in the ½ cup of crushed peppermint candies, carefully balancing that crunchy texture into the velvety mixture.
Step 3: Combine the Mixtures
Now, gradually add the cream cheese mixture to the whipped heavy cream. Use a low mixer speed to blend everything together until silky and well combined – a smooth, airy filling is the goal here to keep the dessert light and inviting.
Step 4: Fill the Oreo Crust
Pour this luscious filling into your chocolatey Oreo crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. The contrast of the dark crust and the red-tinted creamy filling already starts to make this No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie look festive and tempting.
Step 5: Garnish and Chill
Top your pie generously with a layer of Cool Whip to add extra creaminess. Then, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the top for that final festive crunch and holiday sparkle. Chill your masterpiece in the fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the texture set perfectly. Your kitchen will smell like Christmas while you wait!
How to Serve No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie
Garnishes
The crushed peppermint candies sprinkled atop the Cool Whip topping are the star garnish, providing color, crunch, and a little shimmer of holiday magic. For an extra touch, try adding a fresh sprig of mint or a few mini candy canes on the side for that irresistible festive look.
Side Dishes
This pie is delicious on its own but pairs beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa, coffee, or even a peppermint mocha if you want to go all-out festive. For variety, consider serving small bites of warm chocolate chip cookies or fudgy brownies alongside, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to contrast the cool, creamy textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Pop individual slices on pretty holiday plates or serve mini versions in small ramekins for a charming dessert platter. If you’re hosting a Christmas party, create a dessert station with this pie as the centerpiece, surrounded by peppermint sticks, white chocolate curls, and red and green sprinkles to make each slice feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days if covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. The cool, moist environment preserves the creamy texture and fresh peppermint flavor so you can enjoy leftovers without any loss in quality.
Freezing
If you want to prepare well ahead, this pie also freezes nicely for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. To keep the garnish fresh and crunchy, add the crushed peppermint candies after thawing rather than before freezing.
Reheating
Since this is a no-bake cream cheese dessert, you don’t need to reheat it. Instead, thaw a frozen pie overnight in the refrigerator and then let it sit 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature before slicing. This brief rest helps the filling soften to a perfect creamy consistency, ensuring each bite melts in your mouth.
FAQs
Can I use a different pie crust instead of Oreo?
Absolutely! A graham cracker crust or homemade crust from crushed chocolate wafers or Oreos with melted butter will work wonderfully, so feel free to choose your favorite base.
Is there a substitute for heavy whipping cream?
While heavy whipping cream whips best and lends the fluffiest texture, you can use whipping cream if needed. Just be prepared to whip it a little longer until stiff peaks form for the best results.
How do I soften cream cheese quickly without a microwave?
Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour, or place the cubes in a sealed bag in warm water for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve the smooth texture you want in your pie filling.
Can I make this pie vegan or dairy-free?
This recipe relies heavily on cream cheese and heavy cream for its texture and flavor, so making a vegan version would require special alternatives like vegan cream cheese and coconut cream, which might alter the taste and consistency significantly.
What’s the best way to avoid a grainy whipped cream?
Stop whipping the cream as soon as stiff peaks form. Overwhipping causes the cream to break down into butter and buttermilk, which ruins the smooth texture required for this pie.
Final Thoughts
This No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie is truly one of those holiday desserts that feels special without demanding too much time in the kitchen. Its creamy filling, festive colors, and refreshing peppermint crunch make it a guaranteed hit around any Christmas table. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy every delicious, cool bite with your loved ones! Happy holidays and happy baking!
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No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This No Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie is a festive, creamy dessert featuring a smooth cream cheese filling infused with peppermint flavor, set in a crunchy Oreo crust topped with crushed peppermint candies. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it requires no baking and can be prepared ahead for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 Oreo pie crust (pre-made)
Filling
- 2 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each, softened to room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 10 drops red food coloring
- 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
- 1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tub Cool Whip
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes or mints
Garnish
- Crushed peppermint candies for garnish
Instructions
- Whip the Heavy Cream: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside this whipped cream to be gently folded in later for a light and airy texture.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the red food coloring, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, mixing until the color is even. Fold in half a cup of crushed peppermint candies carefully without overmixing.
- Combine the Mixtures: Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped heavy cream using a mixer on low speed or a spatula, blending until the mixture is smooth and uniform. This creates a creamy filling that is light but holds its shape well.
- Fill the Oreo Crust: Pour the combined filling mixture evenly into the prepared Oreo pie crust. Use a spatula to level the top for an even surface.
- Garnish and Chill: Spread a layer of Cool Whip over the filling, then sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for a festive appearance and added texture. Cover the pie and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or preferably overnight to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- Use full-fat block cream cheese for the best texture; avoid using low-fat varieties or cream cheese spreads.
- Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing to prevent lumps.
- If using whipping cream instead of heavy cream, whip longer to reach stiff peaks.
- Adjust peppermint flavoring slowly, tasting as you go to avoid overpowering the pie.
- Chill the pie overnight when possible for the best set and flavor development.
- Store the pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; it can be frozen for up to 2 months but add peppermint garnish after thawing.
- Do not overbeat the heavy cream to avoid grainy texture.
- Use crushed peppermint pieces that are small but not powdered for a pleasant crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: no bake peppermint pie, christmas dessert, peppermint pie, holiday pie, no bake christmas pie, peppermint candy dessert, easy holiday dessert
