This classic homemade holiday dessert is simple to make with just a few ingredients. The perfect addition to any Christmas party or holiday gathering, this Festive Candy Cane Pie can be made in minutes with a delicious crunchy Oreo cookie crust and a light and fluffy no-bake Candy Cane Pie filling topped with crunchy crushed candy canes.
Goodness, the holiday season is upon us again! The season in which our time becomes filled with parties, events, shopping, and places to be.
I don’t like to show up empty-handed to any party or family gathering, and I love making people’s bellies happy. This cool, crunchy, festive peppermint pie is a breeze to throw together for any festive event. It couldn’t be simpler to make with just a few ingredients – the kiddos can help too!
Ingredients for Candy Cane Pie:
The ingredients used in this candy cane pie recipe are conveniently found at most all grocery stores. That’s a win for me!
Chocolate Oreo Crust – The chocolate crust pairs well with the creamy, cool peppermint filling.
White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix – Yum. Creamy, thick, white chocolate pudding.
Milk – I recommend using whole milk for ultra creaminess and richness, but any milk will work!
Peppermint extract – The peppermint flavor is what gives this pie a refreshing holiday punch!
Whipped Topping – Any whipped topping will be delicious and adds a perfect, cool creaminess.
Candy Canes – Finish your candy cane pie with a crunchy peppermint burst!
Red Food Coloring – Red provides the holiday and candy cane “feel.”
How to make Peppermint Candy Cane Pie
Step 1:
Grab a medium to large mixing bowl (I prefer glass). Add the milk to the bowl and pour the pudding mix on top of the milk. Blend those items with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. You don’t want to see any powdery clumps. You can use a hand mixer instead of a whisk; it’s up to you! Both options will work well. You could use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, but that’s too much work and cleanup for me!
Step 2:
Once the pudding and milk mixture is smooth and creamy, you’ll want to add the peppermint extract and the red food coloring. Add a few drops of food coloring at a time and blend well so that the color is consistent throughout without stripes or swirls of color.
TIP: If you prefer a darker Candy Cane Pie, add a few more drops of food coloring.
Step 3:
Incorporate 1 cup of the whipped topping into the mixture. You can use the whisk or a spatula to fold the whipped topping in. If the coloring is too light, add a few more drops of food coloring and mix well until you reach your desired color.
TIP: I know it’s tempting to eat, but save the remaining whipped topping! It’ll be used for the top of the pie later on.
Step 4:
Use a spatula to pour the filling into the pie crust. Smooth the pie filling with your spatula. Cover the pie loosely with saran wrap and place the pie into the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours. This will ensure that the pudding filling sets properly.
Step 5:
Before serving the pie, add the remaining whipped topping to a piping bag fitted with a 1M open star tip—squeeze single peaks around the outer perimeter of the pie. Crush the candy canes and sprinkle them inside the whipped topping border of the pie.
TIP: I place the candy canes in a plastic bag and pound them with the smooth side of a meat tenderizer until the candy canes pieces are the size that I like. Do not over-pound them unless you want candy cane dust.
Why should you make this No-Bake Candy Cane Pie?
This No-Bake Candy Cane pie is so simple to make. The ingredients are easy to find and readily available. It’s refreshing, cool, crunchy, and perfect to bring/serve for any holiday party or gathering.
Candycane Pie Tips:
HOW DO YOU CRUSH Candy Canes?
For small crushed candy cane pieces, put them in a heavy-duty plastic bag and crush them with the smooth side of a meat tenderizer or rolling pin until the candy cane pieces are the desired size. Freezing the candy for 30 mins before you crush it makes it more brittle.
Can you use another type of crust for this no-bake peppermint pie?
You could use any crust in this recipe, but the chocolate pairs nicely with the peppermint flavor.
Substitution Ideas:
- Instead of piping the single peaks around the perimeter of the pie, try spreading an entire layer of whipping cream over the top of the candy cane pie filling. You could even make single peaks over the whole pie! Use your creative skills here! No harm in more whipped cream.
- Add other toppings to the peppermint pie in addition to, or in place of, the crushed peppermint candy. Try crushed Oreos, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or any sprinkles.
- Do you love to make everything homemade? Here’s a great homemade oreo pie crust you can use instead of a pre-made crust.
- You can also make homemade whipped cream with heavy whipping cream instead of store-bought!
- Another great option is to green up the pie! Use spearmint extract, green food coloring, and green peppermint candy canes, sprinkles, etc., for the topping. This could be used for St. Patrick’s Day also!
- Are you limiting sugar? Use sugar-free instant pudding and sugar-free whipped topping.
Can I leave out the Peppermint Extract?
I would not leave the peppermint extract out. The flavor is what makes the pie. Spearmint is a great alternative and keeps with the cool flavor of the holiday season.
How far in advance can this no-bake dessert be made?
You could make the pie filling a few days ahead, but I’d keep the chocolate cookie crust and peppermint white chocolate filling separate until the day it’s needed so that the pie crust remains crunchy. The longer it sits, the more moisture the crust will absorb, making it soft.
How to Serve this Candy Cane pie?
Serve this delicious creamy Peppermint pie recipe cold. A cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea would be divine with it, complimenting the coolness of the candy cane pie.
What is the best way to travel with this Holiday Pie?
Anytime I’m heading somewhere during the holiday season, I find my hands (and my family’s) are full of food, drinks, gifts, etc. When traveling with a pie, I always use a pie carrier. A pie carrier protects the pie from getting smashed and has a handy handle built in so that you can take it to your destination easily and safely.
How to store Oreo Peppermint Pie
Can you freeze this pie?
Yes, you can freeze this pie. Place it in an airtight container or cover it well with saran wrap. Make sure to put the date on it, as it will keep in the freezer for about 90 days. Frozen pudding has the consistency of a creamy ice cream. I haven’t tried this pie frozen, but now that I’m thinking about it, I bet it’d be perfect!
More Christmas Dessert Recipes
- Easy Oreo Bark
- Fun with Kids! Easy Christmas Reminder Pretzels
- Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls
- Southern Buttermilk Pie Recipe
- German Chocolate Pecan Pie
Peppermint Pie with Oreo Crust (Crunchy Candy Cane Pie)
Ingredients
- 1 store bought chocolate oreo crust
- 2 3.3 oz. boxes of white chocolate instant pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- ½ tsp. peppermint extract
- 1 9 oz. Container of whipped topping, divided
- 2-3 candy canes, crushed
- red food coloring
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pudding mixes and milk until well combined.
- Next, peppermint extract to the pudding mixture then whisk until it is smooth.
- Add the red food coloring a few drops at a time and whisk to incorporate.
- Add 1 cup of the whipped topping to the pudding mixture, then whisk until the whipped topping is combined with the pie filling. If needed, add more red food coloring to get your desired shade for the pie filling.
- Pour the delicious creamy candy cane pie filling into the pre-made Oreo crust.
- Cover with saran wrap and move the pie to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours.
- Before serving, add the remaining whipped topping to a piping bag fitted with a 1M open star tip and pie around the edges.
- If you don't have a star tip, add the whipped topping to a zip lock bag and snip the corner. Add single squeezes of the whipped topping all the way around the outer edge of the pie.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes into the center of the pie for a festive holiday look.