There’s something about the cool, minty crunch paired with creamy sweetness that just sings winter cheer. This No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe is a holiday classic that’s not only simple to whip up but full of that nostalgic flavor that everyone remembers and loves. It’s perfect for a festive treat without any fuss in the kitchen!

The image shows a dessert with three main layers in a white pie dish with a red rim. The bottom layer is a dark crumbly crust that looks like crushed cookies. On top of that is a thick, smooth light pink cream spread evenly in a swirl pattern. Around the edge, there are dollops of white whipped cream. The entire dessert is sprinkled with small pieces of crushed red and white candy. The background is a white marbled surface with a blurred Christmas tree and ornaments. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This pie has become a go-to for me every holiday season because it’s effortlessly impressive and delivers that perfect peppermint punch. No baking means less stress, and chilling the pie gives you time to prep other dishes or just relax with a cup of cocoa!

Quick and No Bake: You don’t have to turn on the oven, saving you time and keeping your kitchen cool.
Festive Peppermint Flavor: The combination of peppermint extract and crushed candy makes every bite refreshing and just the right amount of minty.
Creamy Yet Light Texture: The whipped cream mixed with cream cheese gives a silky texture that feels indulgent but not heavy.
Gorgeous Presentation: With crushed peppermint sprinkled on top, it’s not only delicious but so pretty on the holiday table.

This image shows a dessert pie in a bright red pie dish placed on a green, red, and white plaid cloth on a white marbled surface. The pie has three main layers: a dark, crumbly base layer made from crushed cookies, a thick, smooth pale pink cream filling in the middle with gentle swirling patterns, and a ring of white whipped cream dollops evenly piped around the edge. The top is sprinkled with small crushed red-and-white candy pieces scattered lightly over the pink filling and whipped cream, adding texture and color contrast. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe plays its part perfectly. The Oreo crust brings that crunchy, chocolatey base, while the cream cheese and whipped cream combo create a fluffy filling that’s just sweet and minty enough. Let me break down some key components and share tips to get the best out of them.

Flat lay of a small stack of whole Oreo cookies forming a crust, two uncracked brown eggs, a block of cream cheese with smooth texture, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl holding heavy whipping cream, a small white bowl containing bright red liquid food coloring drops, a few crushed peppermint candy pieces scattered naturally, a small mound of fluffy whipped topping next to more crushed peppermint candy for garnish, all arranged symmetrically on simple white ceramic dishes and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Oreo Pie Crust: Using a pre-made crust saves tons of time; its chocolate notes complement the peppermint in the filling beautifully.
Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a perfectly smooth filling without lumps.
Powdered Sugar: It dissolves quickly, giving sweetness without grit, crucial for that creamy texture.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipping it to stiff peaks helps lighten the cream cheese mixture, so your pie isn't dense.
Peppermint Extract: A little goes a long way—start with a teaspoon and adjust if you like it stronger.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm undertone that balances the mint without overpowering it.
Crushed Peppermint Candy: Adds crunch and that classic holiday feel—plus a burst of peppermint throughout the filling and as a garnish.
Red Food Coloring: Optional, but I love how it gives the filling a festive rosy tint.
Whipped Topping (Cool Whip): Perfect for a light, fluffy topping that’s quick and easy to spread.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tweak this No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe just a little depending on the occasion—and trust me, it’s flexible! You can make it more chocolatey or even a bit lighter depending on your taste or dietary needs.

Chocolate Peppermint Twist: Sometimes I add a layer of chocolate ganache on top before the Cool Whip—it’s heavenly if you love extra chocolate.
Lower Sugar Version: You can reduce powdered sugar and use a sugar-free peppermint extract to keep the flavor without extra sweetness.
Vegan Adaptation: Swap cream cheese for a vegan alternative and use coconut cream for the whipped topping; it won’t be quite the same, but still delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe

Step 1: Whip the Heavy Cream to Perfection

First off, grab a large bowl and pour in your chilled heavy whipping cream. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip it on medium-high speed until you see stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the whisk, the cream stands up firmly without drooping. It’s a small step but critical to give your pie that light, creamy texture. Be careful not to overwhip or it will start turning into butter!

Step 2: Create the Cream Cheese Peppermint Mixture

Now in a separate bowl, soften your cream cheese until it’s silky smooth—if you skip this, you’ll end up with lumps, and no one wants that. Add powdered sugar and beat them together until fluffy. Next, stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts along with the red food coloring until everything is evenly tinted and smelling festive. Fold in about half a cup of crushed peppermint candy—this adds the exciting crunch you’ll love!

Step 3: Combine and Blend Gently

Gently fold your cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream. Using a low mixer setting or a spatula, blend just until fully combined so you keep all that fluffy air in there. This step really makes the filling dreamy and not overly dense—if you mix too vigorously, you’ll lose that light texture.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie and Chill

Pour your combined filling into that Oreo crust and spread it evenly. Then top with a nice layer of Cool Whip and sprinkle more crushed peppermint candy on top for the perfect garnish. Pop it into the fridge to chill for at least an hour or two. This time helps everything set up so you get clean slices and a delightful texture.

Top Tip

From my many attempts (and a few tasty mishaps), these tips really make the difference between a good pie and a stand-out one.

Softened Cream Cheese is Key: I always take it out of the fridge an hour before starting or zap it in short bursts in the microwave to avoid lumps.
Don’t Overwhip the Cream: Stiff peaks mean stop! I learned the hard way that going too far makes the filling grainy.
Crush Peppermint Carefully: I use the bottom of a glass to gently crush candy canes into small bits rather than powder—this keeps wonderful texture in every bite.
Chill Long Enough: At least 1 hour is a must, but overnight is best for flavors to marry and the pie to hold together nicely.

How to Serve No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple and elegant by topping the pie with a smooth layer of Cool Whip and sprinkling crushed peppermint candy on top. Sometimes I throw on a few mini chocolate chips for a little surprise—or even drizzle a bit of melted dark chocolate for a classy finish. A sprig of fresh mint for color always gets compliments too!

Side Dishes

This pie pairs wonderfully with coffee or peppermint tea to keep the mint theme going. I also like serving it alongside simple sugar cookies or a fruit plate to balance richness with freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I love setting slices of the pie on decorative plates dusted with cocoa powder or placing peppermint sticks next to each serving. Another fun idea is making mini versions in small mason jars for individual servings—so cute and perfect for sharing!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pie should be covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It holds up beautifully for up to three days, and the flavors seem to intensify a bit after resting overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pie once or twice. Wrap it well with foil and freezer-safe wrap to prevent freezer burn, and it keeps well for up to a month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving to maintain the perfect texture.

Reheating

This pie is best enjoyed cold, so reheating isn't necessary. Just let frozen slices thaw in the fridge until soft enough to enjoy. If your crust feels a little soggy after thawing, letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes can help.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different crust instead of Oreo?

Absolutely! You can substitute a graham cracker crust or even a chocolate cookie crust if you prefer. Just make sure it's sturdy enough to hold the creamy filling.

How do I avoid a watery pie filling?

Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened and your heavy cream is whipped to stiff peaks. Also, don’t overmix the final filling, as that can cause it to break down and get watery. Chilling the pie properly helps too!

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes! This pie actually tastes better when made a few hours or even a day ahead because the flavors have time to meld together. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

What’s the best way to crush peppermint candy?

Placing candy canes or peppermint candies in a zip-top bag and gently hitting them with the bottom of a glass works great. This method creates small, crunchy bits without turning into dust.

Final Thoughts

This No Bake Peppermint Pie Recipe combines ease, festive flavors, and beautiful presentation into one dreamy dessert that’s become a holiday staple in my home. Whether you’re hosting a big party or just looking for a simple treat to keep on hand, it’s sure to impress without the hassle of baking. Go ahead, make a pie that feels like a warm hug in every bite—you won’t regret it!