Peppermint Pie is the ultimate holiday dessert that tastes like Christmas cheer in every bite. With its cool, minty filling and chocolate cookie crust, it’s festive, creamy, and irresistibly light. You’ll love how the peppermint flavor melts together with sweet whipped cream and crunchy chocolate crumbs. It’s an easy, no-fuss dessert that looks fancy enough for any celebration. Plus, the pink peppermint hue brings that cheerful winter charm to your table. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday dinner or just craving a cool treat, this Peppermint Pie will definitely make your season merry.
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What Makes Peppermint Pie a Holiday Favorite
The mix of refreshing peppermint and rich chocolate makes this pie a classic Christmas winner. It’s light, festive, and perfect after a hearty meal. Also, it sets beautifully in the fridge, saving you oven space for other treats.
Texture and Flavor Overview
Every slice is fluffy, creamy, and delicately cool, with crushed peppermint bits adding a sweet crunch. The chocolate crust gives each bite a rich, cookie-like base that perfectly balances the peppermint cream.
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Pie
This Peppermint Pie brings the best of Christmas flavor without the holiday stress. It’s a dessert that impresses yet takes minimal effort. The texture is silky smooth, and the taste is refreshing but sweet — perfect for anyone who loves minty treats.
Festive Flavor with Minimal Effort
No complicated steps here! Just melt, whip, fold, and chill. You get that show-stopping dessert everyone thinks took hours to make.
Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert for Parties
Because it chills beautifully, you can prepare it a day ahead and focus on the fun stuff — like wrapping gifts or watching Christmas movies.
Ingredients Needed
Crust Ingredients
You’ll need chocolate graham crackers or crisp chocolate cookies, granulated sugar, and melted butter. These come together for a buttery, crunchy base.
Filling Ingredients
Gather unflavored gelatin, cold water, peppermint extract, heavy whipping cream, and crushed peppermint candies. These create that cool, creamy peppermint filling that defines this pie.
Garnish Ingredients
Use heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla or peppermint extract, and extra crushed peppermint for decoration.
Optional Variations and Substitutions
Swap vanilla for peppermint extract in the topping for a milder flavor. Chocolate wafer cookies or graham crackers both work perfectly for the crust.
Tools and Equipment
Pie Plate and Mixing Tools
A 9-inch pie plate, food processor, saucepan, and electric mixer are the basics you’ll need for this dessert.
Tips for Crushing Peppermints and Cookies
Place candies in a zip bag and crush them with a rolling pin. For cookies, use a food processor to get fine crumbs quickly and easily.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Chocolate Cookie Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Crush the cookies with sugar until fine, then blend in the melted butter. Press the mixture into a greased 9-inch pie plate, covering the bottom and sides. Bake for 7–8 minutes and let it cool completely before adding filling.
Making the Peppermint Gelatin Base
Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it soften. In a saucepan, heat ½ cup cream with crushed peppermint candy over low heat until smooth. Stir in the softened gelatin and peppermint extract, then let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Whipping and Folding the Cream
Whip 1½ cups of cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold it into the cooled peppermint mixture until smooth and fluffy.
Assembling and Chilling the Pie
Spread the filling into the crust, smoothing the top. Chill for 2 hours or until firm. Top with sweetened whipped cream and crushed peppermint just before serving.
Expert Tips for Best Results
Preventing Gelatin from Setting Too Early
Let the gelatin cool but not set before folding into whipped cream. If it thickens too soon, it won’t blend smoothly.
Getting the Perfect Whipped Cream Texture
Whip until stiff peaks just form. Overwhipping can make it grainy, while underwhipping keeps it too soft.
Cooling and Chilling for Clean Slices
Always cool the crust fully and chill the pie at least 2 hours for picture-perfect slices.
Variations and Creative Twists
Flavor Swaps and Extract Options
Try vanilla, almond, or chocolate extracts for a new twist. Even a touch of cocoa powder makes it extra rich.
Decorating with Extra Peppermint or Chocolate
Top with chocolate curls, crushed candy, or even a drizzle of fudge for a stunning look.
Serving and Presentation Ideas
Holiday Garnish Suggestions
Pipe whipped cream around the edges and sprinkle peppermint bits on top for a snowy effect.
How to Slice and Serve Beautifully
Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water for clean cuts. Wipe the blade between slices for neat presentation.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Refrigeration Guidelines
Keep the pie covered in the fridge to maintain its texture and flavor.
How Long It Keeps Fresh
It stays fresh for up to three days when properly chilled.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Filling Too Soft or Runny
You may have added the filling before the crust cooled or not allowed enough chilling time. Always chill until firm.
Crust Crumbling or Not Setting
Be sure to pack crumbs tightly and bake until just set. Let it cool completely before filling.
FAQ About Peppermint Pie
What are the precautions of peppermint?
Avoid using too much peppermint extract as it can overpower the dessert.
Do peppermints have real mint?
Yes, most peppermints contain real peppermint oil, giving them that signature cooling flavor.
How much peppermint extract to use?
Half a teaspoon is enough for a balanced minty taste.
Is there a difference between peppermint and mint?
Yes, peppermint is a specific hybrid of spearmint and watermint, offering a stronger, cooler flavor.
Related Recipes to Try
- peppermint swirl fudge
- Christmas pavlova trifle
- frosted Christmas brownies
- Christmas red velvet cheesecake
- little Debbie Christmas tree cake truffles
- Christmas sugar cookie cheesecake
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Why This Pie Belongs on Every Holiday Table
Peppermint Pie isn’t just dessert — it’s a festive tradition. The mix of chocolate and peppermint brings pure Christmas joy to every table.
Invitation to Share and Celebrate
Share a slice, spread the cheer, and make new memories with this irresistible treat. Find more holiday ideas and inspiration on Pinterest.
Peppermint Pie: A Cool and Creamy Christmas Dessert
- Total Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (1 9-inch pie) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cool, creamy Peppermint Pie with a crunchy chocolate crust, fluffy mint filling, and a snowy whipped cream topper. Festive, fresh, and perfect for Christmas parties or make-ahead holiday dinners.
Ingredients
[Crust]
9 ounces chocolate graham crackers or crisp chocolate cookies
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
[Filling]
1 (25-ounce) package unflavored gelatin (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1 heaping cup crushed soft peppermint candy, plus extra for garnish
[Garnish]
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or peppermint extract
Additional crushed peppermint
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch pie plate.
2. Crush cookies with sugar in a food processor until fine, then blend in melted butter.
3. Press crumbs into the pie plate, covering bottom and sides. Bake 7 to 8 minutes. Cool completely.
4. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it soften.
5. In a saucepan, warm 1/2 cup heavy cream with crushed peppermint over low heat until melted and smooth.
6. Remove from heat. Stir in softened gelatin and peppermint extract. Cool to room temperature without letting it set.
7. Whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream to stiff peaks.
8. Gently fold the cooled peppermint mixture into whipped cream until nearly combined and smooth.
9. Spread filling into the cooled crust. Chill about 2 hours until firm.
10. Whip 1 cup cream with powdered sugar and vanilla or peppermint extract. Decorate pie and add extra crushed peppermint before serving.
Notes
Use soft peppermint candy such as Red Bird or Bob’s brand. Crush extra for garnish.
Do not let the gelatin mixture fully set before folding into whipped cream.
Let the crust cool completely before adding the filling.
Optional topping can include peppermint whipped cream for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Servings: One 9-inch pie. Prep time: ~30 minutes. Cook time: 7 to 8 minutes. Chill time: about 2 hours.
Storage: Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days.
Texture and flavor: Light, fluffy, creamy, fresh peppermint with a crunchy chocolate crust.
Variations: Substitute vanilla extract in the whipped cream garnish. Try different brands of soft peppermint for varied flavor and color.
Substitutions: Chocolate graham crackers or chocolate wafer cookies both work for the crust.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 minutes
- Category: Christmas Dessert Recipes
- Method: No-bake filling; baked crust; chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 659
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 237
- Fat: 47
- Saturated Fat: 28
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 131
