When December arrives I love pulling out this no bake peppermint pie recipe. It brings together everything wonderful about holiday desserts cool creamy filling chocolate cookie crust and those festive candy cane pieces that make everyone smile. The best part? No need to turn on the oven which means more space for all those Christmas cookies.
Perfect for Holiday Gatherings
I treasure recipes that let me get ahead during the busy holiday season. This pie is such a lifesaver since I can make it the day before and pop it in the fridge. When I bring it out topped with those pretty crushed candy canes it always gets oohs and aahs from my guests.
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Oreo Pie Crust: Using premade saves so much time.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Makes everything light and fluffy.
- Powdered Sugar: Dissolves perfectly for silky smoothness.
- Cream Cheese: Two full packages for that perfect texture.
- Red Food Coloring: Just enough for pretty swirls.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds wonderful depth.
- Peppermint Flavoring: The star of our holiday show.
- Crushed Peppermint Candy: Inside and on top for extra joy.
- Cool Whip: Makes decorating so easy.
- Extra Candy Canes: Because more sparkle is always good.
Creating Your Pie
- Start with cream:
- Whip it until it's perfectly fluffy and holds its shape.
- Mix the filling:
- Beat your cream cheese and sugar until smooth then add those lovely flavors and colors.
- Bring it together:
- Gently fold everything into one beautiful mixture.
- Fill and smooth:
- Pour into your crust and make it pretty.
- Final touches:
- Top with Cool Whip sprinkle with candy canes then let it chill until perfect.
My Best Pie Tips
Take your time letting that cream cheese soften it makes such a difference in texture. Be gentle with your peppermint flavoring you can always add more but too much can overwhelm. And remember not to overwhip that cream we want it fluffy not buttery.
Keep It Fresh
This pie stays perfect in the fridge for about five days though it rarely lasts that long in my house. You can even freeze it for up to two months just wrap it well and thaw overnight in the fridge when you're ready to serve.
Mix It Up
Sometimes I make this with a graham cracker crust or add a drizzle of chocolate on top. You can even mix in some chocolate pieces with the candy canes it's so fun to play with different combinations.
A Holiday Favorite
This peppermint pie has become such a beloved part of our Christmas celebrations. The way it combines creamy filling crunchy candy canes and chocolate crust makes everyone happy. Plus its so easy to make ahead leaving more time to enjoy the holiday fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why fold the mixtures together?
- Folding maintains the light, airy texture of the whipped cream. Mixing too vigorously would deflate the mixture and make the pie dense.
- → Can I make this ahead?
- Yes, this pie can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. Add the candy cane topping just before serving to maintain crunch.
- → Can I use regular whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
- Yes, you can substitute stabilized whipped cream for the Cool Whip topping. Just make sure it's well-whipped to hold its shape.
- → How long will this pie keep?
- The pie will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The candy cane pieces may soften over time.
- → Can I freeze this pie?
- Yes, you can freeze the pie for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add fresh candy cane topping before serving.