If you’re on the hunt for a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that comes together effortlessly, this No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine a delightfully crunchy Oreo crust mixed with buttery candy cane kisses, filled with a luscious, creamy peppermint-infused filling that’s perfectly light and fluffy. It’s a holiday treat that doesn’t require baking, making it wonderfully easy to prepare yet incredibly impressive to serve. Whether it’s a family gathering or a casual get-together, this pie always sparks joy and sweet smiles.
Ingredients You'll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and appearance. From the rich cream cheese that gives the filling its smoothness to the festive peppermint candies that add a crisp, minty surprise, these simple pantry staples come together beautifully.
- Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses: These bring a burst of minty flavor and crunch, plus a festive red and white color that’s perfect for winter celebrations.
- Oreos: Crushed to form the chocolatey, slightly crunchy base that holds everything together deliciously.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and mixed with the crust ingredients to create a firm, buttery foundation.
- Heavy cream: Whipped to stiff peaks to add fluffiness and lightness to the filling.
- Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature, it adds creaminess and tang, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling smoothly without any graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.
- Peppermint extract: Enhances the mint flavor to make the pie refreshingly festive.
- Red food coloring: Optional, but adds a stunning holiday swirl effect in the filling.
How to Make No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by combining crushed Oreos with a portion of the chopped Candy Cane Kisses—this combo forms a crunchy, flavorful crust. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the mixture to bind it together. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the crust sets up nicely and supports the creamy filling.
Step 2: Whip the Cream
Next, whip the heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks. This is a critical step because the whipped cream gives the filling its light, airy texture. Keep the whipped cream cold in the fridge until you are ready to fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
Step 3: Make the Filling
In a clean bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing, until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla and peppermint extracts, and if you’re going for that festive look, add red food coloring to create beautiful swirls. This step gives you that rich, minty flavor that defines the pie.
Step 4: Combine Whipped Cream and Filling
Gently fold the cold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula, stirring carefully so you don’t lose the fluffy texture. Toss in most of the remaining chopped Candy Cane Kisses for extra minty crunch throughout the pie—this extra texture is a total game changer!
Step 5: Assemble and Chill
Pour the creamy filling over the chilled crust and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the top with the last bit of Candy Cane Kisses to add a festive, crunchy finish. Cover your pie with plastic wrap or foil and chill it in the refrigerator for at least four hours, though overnight chilling will give the best flavor and texture payoff.
How to Serve No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe
Garnishes
For serving, add extra flair by topping each slice with whipped cream and a whole Candy Cane Kiss. You can even sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or mini chocolate chips on top for that extra touch of festive fun.
Side Dishes
This peppermint pie pairs wonderfully with warm drinks like hot cocoa or spiced coffee, making it a perfect end to a chilly evening meal. It’s also delightful alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your guests? Serve the pie in individual clear dessert cups layered with peppermint cookie crumbs or drizzle a little melted chocolate over the top. You could even turn it into a trifle by alternating layers of crust, filling, and crushed candy for a party centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. This no bake peppermint pie actually tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld overnight.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap the pie securely and freeze it for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight—no rush needed, just patience for that perfect slice.
Reheating
This pie is best served chilled, so no need to reheat. Just bring it out of the fridge a little before serving if you prefer it slightly less cold, and you’re good to go!
FAQs
Can I use different cookies for the crust?
Absolutely! While Oreos are classic and delicious, you can experiment with other chocolate sandwich cookies or even ginger snaps for a spicier twist that complements the peppermint beautifully.
Is there a substitute for cream cheese?
You can try mascarpone for a richer, smoother filling, or Greek yogurt blends for a lighter alternative, though the flavor and texture will vary slightly from the traditional cream cheese base.
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
Vanilla extract alone will still yield a lovely pie, but to bring in that iconic minty freshness, you can use a few drops of spearmint extract or finely crushed peppermint candies mixed into the filling.
Can I make this pie vegan?
With a few clever swaps like using dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream whipped topping, and vegan butter, you can create a really tasty non-dairy version. Just be sure the cookies and candies are vegan friendly as well.
How do I prevent the food coloring from blending completely?
For those pretty red swirls, gently fold in the food coloring last just until you see streaks—you want swirls, not a uniform color. Using a spatula with a gentle hand is key here to keep the visual effect.
Final Thoughts
This No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a festive showstopper that’s sure to become a beloved tradition. Its easy preparation combined with the bright peppermint flavor and creamy texture make it a pure joy to share. I genuinely hope you give it a try and discover just how effortlessly delicious and cheerful your holiday celebrations can be with this pie on your table.
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No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 10 servings
Description
This festive No Bake Peppermint Pie is a creamy and refreshing dessert perfect for the holidays. It features a crunchy Oreo and Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses crust, a luscious peppermint-flavored cream cheese filling with swirls of chopped candy cane kisses, and requires no baking. Chilled to set, this pie offers a delightful combination of minty sweetness and smooth texture that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Crust
- 18 Oreos (crushed)
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ bag Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses (approximately half of a standard 10.5 oz bag, unwrapped and chopped)
Filling
- 1 cup (240mL) heavy cream
- 8 ounces (227g) full-fat cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ bag Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses (remaining chopped kisses)
- Red food coloring (optional, 2 drops)
Instructions
- Prepare crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed Oreos and ¼ cup of the chopped Candy Cane Kisses. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the mixture and stir until fully combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan or an 8-9 inch pie plate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Make whipped cream: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Keep the whipped cream chilled in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Beat cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Lower the speed to low and add the powdered sugar, then increase speed back to medium-high and beat until smooth. Add vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and red food coloring (if using). Continue beating until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Fold in whipped cream and candy: Turn off the mixer and gently fold the chilled whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula, mixing just until the red swirls disappear. Then fold in ⅔ cup of the chopped Candy Cane Kisses until evenly dispersed.
- Assemble the pie: Pour the filling onto the chilled crust and spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chopped Candy Cane Kisses on top. Cover the pie with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the pie to set completely.
- Store leftovers: Keep leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve after freezing, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For best results, chill the pie overnight to ensure it is fully set before serving.
- Using full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream provides the creamiest texture.
- Red food coloring is optional and can be adjusted to your preferred shade.
- You can substitute the Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses with another peppermint candy if desired.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to blend smoothly without lumps.
- To crush Oreos, place them in a sealed bag and use a rolling pin or pulse in a food processor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American

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