With six ingredients, no oven time, and a dessert that tastes like winter wrapped in a creamy, minty cloud, this peppermint pie is what happens when you need something fancy but refuse to turn on the oven. Just mix, pour, chill, and you are done.
Every December, I promise myself I won’t overcommit. Then, suddenly, I’m staring at my calendar, wondering how I signed up to bring dessert to three potlucks, the work party, and a cookie exchange, all while hosting Christmas dinner myself. This pie is my secret weapon: five minutes to throw together, looks impressive, and I can make two at once without losing my mind.
The pudding mix provides structure without requiring cooking or tempering eggs. The Cool Whip brings that light, fluffy texture, and crushed peppermints and mini chocolate chips add just enough crunch and color to make it look like you put in effort.
And yes, I use a store-bought pie crust. However, that’s not cheating; that’s being smart about where you spend your time during the holidays. When that peppermint cream hits your tongue, cool and smooth with little bursts of candy crunch, nobody will question your methods.
And best of all, you can make this up to three days ahead, and it only gets better as it sits. I’ll walk you through the five-minute assembly and give you variations for chocolate lovers. This pie is about to become your new favorite holiday tradition.
Looking for more holiday treats? Try my recipes for plum crisp, cranberry bundt cake, or peanut butter lava cake!
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Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Whipped topping: Like Cool Whip. Make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours before you begin.
- Milk
- Peppermint extract
- Vanilla pudding mix: Make sure it’s the instant kind, not the cook-and-serve variety.
- Store-bought chocolate pie crust: Look for this in the baking aisle, near the graham cracker crusts.
- Crushed peppermints
- Mini chocolate chips
How to Make Peppermint Pie
- Add one container of thawed whipped topping, the milk, the peppermint extract, and the vanilla pudding mix to a big bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat everything together for about 2-3 minutes. You’ll see the mixture start to thicken up and come together into a smooth, fluffy filling.
- Pour the peppermint filling into your chocolate pie crust and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Make sure you get it all the way to the edges.
- Open the second container of whipped topping and spoon a little over half of it onto the top of the pie. Spread it evenly across the filling, creating a fluffy cloud layer.
- Scatter the crushed peppermints and mini chocolate chips over the whipped topping. Lightly press the peppermint pieces and chocolate chips into the whipped topping with your fingertips. This keeps them from rolling off when you slice the pie or sliding around when you move it to the fridge.
- Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or a pie cover and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Serving Ideas
The beauty of peppermint pie is that it practically serves itself. Just slice and plate it, and it looks like a fancy holiday dessert that took minimal effort to make. The contrast between the cold filling and the crispy chocolate crust is perfect.
Pair this pie with hot coffee or espresso, cold milk or hot cocoa for the kids, or peppermint tea for a festive and thematic treat.
How to Store
Store your peppermint pie in an airtight container, and it’ll keep for 2 to 3 days. Whipped topping can get a little weepy if it sits too long, especially if your fridge runs cold. If you notice a bit of condensation on top after a couple of days, gently pat it dry with a paper towel before serving. It won’t affect the taste one bit.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- The secret to a fluffy, cloud-like filling is in the mixing. When you’re beating together that Cool Whip, milk, peppermint extract, and pudding mix, don’t rush it. Give it the full 2-3 minutes with your mixer.
- Lightly press those crushed peppermints and mini chocolate chips into the top layer of Cool Whip instead of just sprinkling them on. This keeps them from rolling off when you’re moving the pie to the fridge or sliding all over the place when you try to slice it.
- Don’t feel locked into vanilla pudding. White chocolate pudding takes this pie in a richer, creamier direction that’s perfect if you’re not a huge peppermint fan but still want that holiday vibe. Cheesecake pudding adds a tangy note that beautifully balances out all that sweetness. And if you’re a chocolate-mint devotee, chocolate pudding turns this into a full-on mint-chocolate-chip situation.
- Overnight chilling is ideal if possible. I usually make mine the night before any gathering, which also has the bonus of being one less thing to worry about on party day.
- If you’ve ever tried to crush peppermint candies, you know they can be stubborn. My favorite method is to toss them in a zip-top bag and whack them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. Candy canes are often easier to crush than peppermint candies.
Reader Questions
Sure can. A graham cracker crust works beautifully if you want something a little less intense. An Oreo crust doubles down on the chocolate factor. Even a vanilla wafer crust would be lovely, allowing the peppermint flavor to really shine through.
This usually happens if you didn’t mix it long enough for the pudding to activate and thicken. Make sure you’re beating it for the full 2-3 minutes and that your milk is cold when you add it. Also, check the expiration date on your pudding mix, as old pudding mix may not set up correctly.
The trick is a hot, dry knife. Run your knife under hot water, wipe it completely dry, then make your cut. Wipe the knife clean and repeat for each slice. This melts through the filling just enough to give you those picture-perfect slices without dragging Cool Whip and crushed peppermints everywhere.
You could use vanilla extract for a simpler flavor profile, but you’d lose that signature minty freshness that makes this pie special. Your best bet is to plan ahead and grab that peppermint extract when you see it at the store. It’s easy to find at most grocery stores during the holiday season.
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Peppermint Pie
Ingredients
- 2 containers whipped topping 8 ounces, thawed and divided
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 package vanilla pudding mix 3.4 ounces
- 1 chocolate pie crust store-bought
- ⅓ cup crushed peppermints
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add 1 8-ounce container of Cool Whip, milk, peppermint extract, and vanilla pudding to a large bowl. Beat using a hand mixer for about 2-3 minutes. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and spread evenly.2 containers whipped topping, ¾ cup milk, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, 1 package vanilla pudding mix, 1 chocolate pie crust
- Take the second container of Cool Whip and add a little over half of it to the top of the pie, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint on top and the chocolate chips.⅓ cup crushed peppermints, ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
- Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes. Slice and serve!
Notes
- The secret to a fluffy, cloud-like filling is in the mixing. When you’re beating together that Cool Whip, milk, peppermint extract, and pudding mix, don’t rush it. Give it the full 2-3 minutes with your mixer.
- Lightly press those crushed peppermints and mini chocolate chips into the top layer of Cool Whip instead of just sprinkling them on. This keeps them from rolling off when you’re moving the pie to the fridge or sliding all over the place when you try to slice it.
- Don’t feel locked into vanilla pudding.Try chocolate pudding or cheesecake pudding.
- Overnight chilling is ideal if possible. I usually make mine the night before any gathering, which also has the bonus of being one less thing to worry about on party day.
- If you’ve ever tried to crush peppermint candies, you know they can be stubborn. My favorite method is to toss them in a zip-top bag and whack them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. Candy canes are often easier to crush than peppermint candies.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
