Peppermint Chocolate Delight

Deliciously fluffy layered Peppermint Chocolate Delight is simple, yet impressive. It’s our new favorite Christmas dessert!

Layered desserts like Pistachio DessertWhite Chocolate Lasagna, and Magic Pumpkin Cake are among our favorite family treats. This Peppermint Chocolate Delight is a delicious Christmas must-make!

Slice of peppermint chocolate delight on a white plate.

festive christmas treats

The kids love whipping up Christmas treats like the Christmas Popcorn we whipped up last week. It was so good, but I have a recipe today that I think is even better. It’s called Peppermint Chocolate Delight.

We made it a few weeks ago and it was so good that it was gone super fast. It has a cracker crumb bottom, cream cheese layer, chocolate pudding layer and whipped topping with candy cane pieces.

I think it’s another great dessert to make for Christmas. The chocolate and peppermint combo is amazing. In fact, I might have to try making chocolate dipped peppermints because I love the combination!

Cream cheese layer of the peppermint chocolate delight.

Making Peppermint Chocolate Delight

CRUST. Begin by crushing wafers in a Ziploc bag. Add melted butter and mix until well coated. Press onto the bottom of 13×9 dish.

CREAM CHEESE LAYER. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and peppermint extract until well blended. Fold in half of Cool Whip and mix well. Spread over crust.

PUDDING. Make pudding by whisking milk and instant pudding in a bowl until thickened. Pour over cream cheese layer and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.

SERVE! Top with remaining Cool Whip and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add crushed candy canes right before serving. ENJOY!

Chocolate layer of peppermint chocolate delight.

Recipe Tips

Ingredient Tips:

  • Be sure to use instant chocolate pudding otherwise the pudding will not set without the extra step of cooking it. 
  • Use whole milk for a thicker creamier pudding.
  • Instead of using vanilla wafers, use Oreos or graham crackers.

Keep the cookie layer in place when spreading the cream cheese layerYou want to be careful when adding each new layer so that the layer underneath doesn’t get displaced. I like to drop dollops of the next layer all over before carefully spreading it across the pan. Also, sticking the pan in the fridge or freezer while you whip up the next layer can help the previous layer set more quickly. 

How to make beautiful clean cuts: Many times my family will simply use a spoon and dig into this dessert without worrying about it being picture perfect. However, there are times when I really want it to look beautiful like when serving company. Placing it in the freezer for about 30 minutes before cutting and wiping the blade after each cut will help yield clean slices. 

Peppermint delight topped with crushed candy canes.

Storing info

STORE peppermint delight covered with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a few days.

I have not tried FREEZING this myself, but it seems like it would be able to be frozen for about a month without a problem. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap and wrap again with aluminum foil. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

Slice of peppermint chocolate delight on a white plate topped with crushed candy canes served

Here are even more peppermint treats you’ll love this season:

Peppermint Chocolate Delight Recipe

4.94 from 16 votes
Deliciously fluffy layered Peppermint Chocolate Delight is simple and kid-friendly. It's our new favorite Christmas dessert!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Refrigerate 2 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 410 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups vanilla wafers
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • 3 cups milk
  • 12 oz Cool Whip thawed and divided (or whipping cream)
  • 7.8 oz instant chocolate pudding (2 – 3.4 oz. boxes)
  • crushed candy canes

Instructions
 

  • Begin by crushing wafers in a Ziploc bag. Add melted butter and mix until well coated. Press onto the bottom of 9×13 dish.
  • In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and peppermint extract until well blended. Fold in half of Cool Whip and mix well. Spread over crust.
  • Make pudding by whisking milk and instant pudding in a bowl until thickened. Pour over cream cheese layer and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
  • Top with remaining Cool Whip and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add crushed candy canes right before serving. ENJOY!

Recipe adapted from Kraft Recipes.

Like this recipe?

Pin it now to remember it later! Share it with your Facebook friends (you know they’ll love it). Or tweet it to the world. Maybe even email it to your favorite cousin!

Related Posts

S’mores Brownies

Fudgy S’mores Brownies are the ultimate chocolatey dessert, topped with gooey toasted marshmallows and crunchy graham cracker chunks. Satisfy the S’mores lover in your life with Mini Smores Pies along…

37 minutes minutes

5 from 4 votes

Scotcheroos

Chocolate peanut butter Scotcheroos whip up in minutes for a quick and easy dessert. This chewy treat is a family favorite! We are fans of easy treats like these Rice…

20 minutes minutes

4.94 from 216 votes

Brownie Recipes

Brownies are chewy, delicious, and perfect for sharing. There are so many tasty variations, so be sure to check out this collection of Brownie Recipes! More Collections: Cookie Bar Recipes,…

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies are sweet, tangy, and velvety smooth. These will definitely be your new favorite dessert! We love our Cheesecake Brownies, but adding a delicious red velvet to…

40 minutes minutes

4.63 from 16 votes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

Join the Conversation

Rate and Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments:

  1. How do you get your crumbs to stay in place when spreading the cool whip/cream cheese layer? Mine turned into a crumbly mess every time I tried to even out the layer.

    1. It can be tricky! I like to make sure I add the next layer kind of all over, before I spread it out. I add spoonfuls all over 🙂 Good luck for next time!

    2. My trick for making cookie crusts is to add an extra tablespoon of butter, then once it’s all pressed into the pan, stick it in the freezer while you work on the next layer. I also use my little food chopper to crush the cookies and mix the butter in. But the #1 thing, stick the crust in the freezer for a few minutes while working on next layer 🙂

    1. It may depend on the brand/type of ingredients you used? Sometimes “Off Brands” and “Name Brands” have different instructions/ratios for them (ie., Milk & butter – think of Mac and cheese). Or did you substitute almond milk or skim milk? I find these are sometimes thinner and don’t hold up as well baking.

  2. Hello Lil’ Luna, I made this recipe (with a few slight variations to make it gluten free) for my families Christmas In July Party. I would like to share the recipe on my blog if that is fine by you. Thank you for the delicious and easy recipe.

  3. 4 stars
    I havent tried it yet, but i feel like a few key components should be mentioned. You need to freeze the crust. I added double the butter to help make it more solid still didnt hold up when spreading the first layer. Freezing was perfect. 2nd it doesnt say to heat the mill and pudding mix…this is also required. Maybe its just assumed but i tend to follow things to a tee. Im excited im sure it will be delish! Those things above are a must.

  4. 5 stars
    This desserts a win with the chocolate, cream cheese and peppermint trio. I also love the crunch of the crust.
    I know its on the recipe card, so just a reminder to anyone reading comments- be sure to buy the Instant pudding.