This time of year I am all about all things peppermint. As much as I love gingerbread and eggnog, I think the red and white stripes of candy canes are my favorite flavor of the holidays. So I thought it would be fun to experiment with a peppermint cream pie! This pie reminds me of the chocolate covered Peppermint Joe-Joe’s that we get at Trader Joe’s this time every year. Those things are dangerous to have around because we can’t resist eating one whenever we pass through the kitchen! It would be easy to make a peppermint ice cream pie that would be similar to this just using an Oreo crust and peppermint ice cream with some chocolate sauce drizzled on top, but I wanted something a little creamier and not frozen this time around. So I played with my no-bake cheesecake recipe and came up with this irresistibly cute red and white Christmas treat that is sure to bring smiles when friends and family see it on the dessert table. Peppermint is one of our favorite holiday flavors! If you are candy-cane obsessed as well, be sure to try our Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies or homemade Peppermint Ice Cream next!
Why this recipe works
It’s an easy no-bake pie unless you opt to make your own homemade Oreo crust. But store-bought will work just as well for this recipe. The filling can be made in under 10 minutes and garnishing the pie takes hardly any time at all. The hardest part is waiting for the pie to chill so it can set up before slicing. White chocolate, cream cheese, and peppermint were meant to go together. The flavors and textures are perfect for each other and make this essentially a no-bake peppermint cheesecake.
Ingredient Notes
White chocolate: I recommend using high quality white chocolate or white chocolate chips for the best results so it melts well. The Ghiradelli white chocolate baking bars are my personal favorite. Cream cheese: Use the kind that comes in bricks, not the kind from a tub. You will get best results with the full-fat original kind, but reduced-fat neufchatel works too. Peppermint extract: Make sure you are using peppermint extract and not just mint extract for that classic candy cane flavor in this pie. I prefer McCormick brand peppermint extract, both in terms of flavor and convenience. Oreos & butter: These are for making the Oreo crust, although a pre-made store-bought crust will serve just as well in this recipe that is all about making an easy but impressive Christmas dessert.
How to Make This Recipe
Recipe Tips
Red food coloring (affiliate link): You really don’t need much food coloring (affiliate link) to get a vivid color in this recipe. I recommend starting with a small amount – just a drop or two – and going from there. Peppermint candy garnish ideas: There are so many good choices this time of year like Hershey’s peppermint kisses, peppermint bark (either homemade or we like the Ghiradelli’s squares and the Williams Sonoma tins), soft striped peppermint sticks, or actual candy canes if you want more crunch. Variation: If you want to take things to the next level, consider adding some crushed Oreos or Trader Joe’s Peppermint Joe-Joe’s to the filling for an Oreo peppermint pie that is a hybrid of this recipe and my No-Bake Oreo Pie! Chocolate ganache: If you want an even more over-the-top approach, consider heating ½ cup of heavy cream in the microwave for 1 minute, then pouring it over 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth and pour over the top of the pie for a decadent chocolate ganache.
More Peppermint Recipes
Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms Peppermint Bark Caramel Corn Peppermint Macarons
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