This Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie is an absolute dream for anyone looking for a last-minute, show-stopping dessert that screams holiday cheer. Its simplicity and incredible flavor profile make it the ultimate festive treat, perfect for busy hosts and sweet-toothed guests alike.
Key Ingredients for Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie
- 1 (9-inch) pre-made chocolate cookie crust (or graham cracker crust)
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup peppermint schnapps (for adult version) OR 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (for non-alcoholic version)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (enhances the peppermint flavor)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies (for garnish)
- Optional: Chocolate syrup, additional whipped cream, or chocolate shavings for extra decoration
How to Make Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie
Get ready to whip up a truly magical Christmas dessert in a flash! This Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie is incredibly easy to assemble, requiring no baking and delivering a burst of refreshing peppermint goodness with every bite. Its creamy, dreamy texture and festive crunch will have everyone asking for seconds, making it your new go-to holiday treat. Anticipate spending about 15-20 minutes of active preparation time, plus chilling time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Filling Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and free of lumps. This ensures a silky smooth pie filling.
- Incorporate Sweetness and Flavor: Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese, mixing until well combined. Then, stir in either the peppermint schnapps (for an adult treat) or the peppermint extract and fresh lime juice. The lime juice subtly brightens the peppermint flavor, making it even more vibrant. Mix until everything is thoroughly incorporated into a smooth, luscious mixture.
- Lighten the Texture: Gently fold in the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese and peppermint mixture. Be careful not to overmix; you want to maintain the airy lightness of the whipped cream, which will create a wonderfully fluffy pie filling. Fold until just combined, ensuring no streaks of cream cheese remain.
- Assemble the Pie: Spoon the peppermint filling evenly into the prepared chocolate cookie crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling smoothly to the edges of the crust.
- Chill and Set: Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the pie is firm and set. This chilling time is crucial for the pie to achieve the perfect texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, generously sprinkle the top of the chilled pie with crushed peppermint candies. This adds a fantastic festive crunch and a beautiful visual appeal. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with chocolate syrup, add dollops of fresh whipped cream, or scatter with chocolate shavings.
Why You’ll Love This Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie
You’ll adore this Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie for its effortless charm and invigorating flavor. The star of this dessert is its unbelievably creamy, cool peppermint filling nestled within a crisp chocolate crust, offering a delightful contrast in textures that’s simply irresistible. Making this pie at home saves you money compared to buying a specialty dessert and allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a truly delightful treat. The crisp crunch of the peppermint candy topping and the rich chocolate notes make it a sublime holiday indulgence, far surpassing the simplicity of a store-bought frozen pie.
This dessert is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply a cozy night in during the festive season. Its bright, festive flavors are a direct nod to classic Christmas candy, creating a nostalgic yet refreshingly modern experience. Don’t delay in bringing this slice of holiday magic to your table – your friends and family will thank you for it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie fresh and delicious, it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay at its best for up to 3-4 days. If you find yourself with ample leftovers and want to enjoy it even longer, you have a couple of options. You can freeze the pie, either whole or in individual slices. For the best results when freezing, ensure the pie is completely chilled and set. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pie can be kept for up to 1 month.
To reheat a frozen pie, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re reheating a slice, you can enjoy it chilled, or very gently warm it in a microwave on low power for a few seconds if you prefer a slightly softer texture, though it’s typically best served cold. Avoid overheating, as this can melt the filling and alter the texture.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie is the ultimate antidote to holiday stress, proving that festive and delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. Its refreshing taste and beautiful presentation are sure to impress, making it a delightful addition to any celebration. Give it a try and let the joy of homemade holiday baking fill your home!
Quick Christmas Peppermint Pie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and free of lumps. This ensures a silky smooth pie filling.8 ounce cream cheese
- Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese, mixing until well combined. Then, stir in either the peppermint schnapps (for an adult treat) or the peppermint extract and fresh lime juice. The lime juice subtly brightens the peppermint flavor, making it even more vibrant. Mix until everything is thoroughly incorporated into a smooth, luscious mixture.1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup peppermint schnapps, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Gently fold in the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese and peppermint mixture. Be careful not to overmix; you want to maintain the airy lightness of the whipped cream, which will create a wonderfully fluffy pie filling. Fold until just combined, ensuring no streaks of cream cheese remain.1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Spoon the peppermint filling evenly into the prepared chocolate cookie crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling smoothly to the edges of the crust.1 9-inch pre-made chocolate cookie crust
- Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the pie is firm and set. This chilling time is crucial for the pie to achieve the perfect texture.
- Just before serving, generously sprinkle the top of the chilled pie with crushed peppermint candies. This adds a fantastic festive crunch and a beautiful visual appeal. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with chocolate syrup, add dollops of fresh whipped cream, or scatter with chocolate shavings.1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies, 1 chocolate syrup, 1 additional whipped cream, 1 chocolate shavings