When you are too busy to bake, this No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake is the perfect dessert. This holiday cheesecake is easy to make and full of delicious peppermint flavor. Make sure you get a slice because it will be gone before you know it.
For more peppermint treats, try these peppermint Oreo cookies and peppermint brownies.
The post and recipe for this Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake were originally published in December 2014 and updated and republished in December 2021.
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No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake
Christmas is my favorite time of year! Seeing all the lights and decorations and baking chocolate peppermint chip cookies definitely puts me in the holiday spirit.
The only problem is that this time of year can also be busy with parties, events, programs, and shopping for gifts. It can be hard to get everything done.
I created this fun peppermint cheesecake recipe a few years ago for a church dinner when I was short on time. Honestly, this simple little no bake cheesecake got more comments and compliments than anything else I had made all year. Who knew everyone loved simple, easy desserts the best!
This festive holiday cheesecake is the best dessert to make when you are busy. It is easy to make in minutes, looks impressive, and tastes great!
Why I Love This Recipe
- This recipe is completely no-bake. You won't need to turn on the oven and heat up your kitchen for this creamy delight.
- A creamy peppermint filling on the sweet Oreo cookie crust gives it a festive holiday taste.
- The pink, white, and chocolate layers make it a pretty dessert for Christmas parties.
- Extra peppermint chips on top give it a sweet crunch.
- And the best part is that it can be made ahead of time, so you can have this peppermint Oreo cheesecake in your fridge when you need it.
Key Ingredients
These peppermint cheesecake bars are so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. It should only take you about 15 minutes from start to finish. Make sure you allow enough time for it to chill in the fridge to set up though.
- Oreo Crust - Using crushed Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter makes a delicious base for this easy no bake cheesecake.
- Cream Cheese - Make sure to set the blocks of cream cheese out ahead of time, so they are easier to whip into a creamy layer.
- Andes Peppermint Crunch Chips - When the chips are melted down and added to the filling, it gives the dessert a pretty pink color and peppermint taste. Peppermint crunch thins or candy cane kisses can also be chopped up and used if you can't find the Andes chips.
- Extracts - A mixture of vanilla extract and peppermint extract balance each other out and keeps the dessert from tasting like toothpaste.
- Cool Whip - Adds a fluffy, light texture to the cheesecake layer. If you prefer, you can also make and use this whipped cream from scratch.
How to make No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake
A pan of this easy peppermint cheesecake comes together in minutes. The combination of chocolate and peppermint makes it a great Christmas dessert.
Oreo Crust
- Place the Oreo cookies in a food processor. I like to use my Ninja Food Processor for this part. The machine does all the work for you in seconds.
- Add melted butter and stir until everything is combined.
- Press the cookie mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Refrigerate while you make the cheesecake filling.
Peppermint Cheesecake Filling
- Beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and extracts together until creamy.
- Place the peppermint chips and a little bit of shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Heat another 15-20 seconds and stir until melted and creamy.
- Pour the melted chocolate immediately into the cream cheese mixture and beat in. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get all the chocolate mixed in.
- Fold in a whole container of thawed Cool Whip gently, and then spread the pink mixture on the prepared crust.
Decorate
- Cover the no bake cheesecake with more Cool Whip and sprinkle extra peppermint chips on top.
- Refrigerate for a few hours, so it has time to chill and set up.
BruCrew Tip: Want to make it look and taste like a Chick-fil-A peppermint chip milkshake? Stir mini chocolate chips into the filling before spreading it on the crust.
Tips and Tricks
- Leave the cream filling in the Oreo cookies when you crush them. The extra filling works with the melted butter to bind the crumbs together, making the Oreo crust stay together.
- Line the pan with parchment paper to easily remove the dessert from the pan to make clean cuts.
- Shortening thins the peppermint crunch bits as they melt. It also keeps the chocolate from seizing as it heats in the microwave.
- I like to use Cool Whip to keep the dessert simple. You can also use 6 cups of homemade stabilized whipped cream or this peppermint whipped cream.
- Make sure you allow enough time to chill the peppermint dessert so it thickens to the right consistency.
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Recipe Questions
Andes also makes peppermint crunch thins, which are sold at Target. You can unwrap two to three packages and chop them into chunks to make your own bits.
Another option is candy cane kisses. These may not give you as bright a pink color, though. Add a little red/pink food coloring to get your desired color.
The peppermint cheesecake is made with dairy, so it needs to be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If stored properly, it will keep for 4-5 days.
Yes, you can freeze this no bake cheesecake for 1-2 months. Serve frozen, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
More Easy Peppermint Desserts
- This Peppermint Cookies and Cream Fudge is loaded with cookies chunks and peppermint swirls. It's a must make this holiday season!
- Peppermint Oreo Bark is an easy treat to make. Layers of chocolate and peppermint bits make this sweet candy disappear in a hurry.
- A slice of this White Chocolate Peppermint Cake and a cup of coffee is a delicious dessert to serve your holiday guests.
- Two layers of chocolate make this Peppermint Oreo Fudge a pretty no bake holiday treat for your parties.
- Oreo cookies and no bake cheesecake make this Peppermint Lush Dessert so pretty and tasty.
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Recipe
No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe
When you are too busy to bake, this No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake is the perfect dessert. This holiday cheesecake is easy to make and is full of delicious peppermint flavor. Make sure you get a slice because it will be gone before you know it.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs (30 cream filled cookies)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 cups Andes Peppermint Crunch Chips, divided
- 2 teaspoons shortening
- 2 - 8 ounce containers Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Combine the Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Refrigerate while making the filling.
- Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and extracts until creamy.
- Place 1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch Chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for an additional 20-30 seconds. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Pour the melted chips into the cream cheese mixture. Beat immediately until the melted chips are combined with the cream cheese.
- Fold in 8 ounces of Cool Whip until mixed in. Spoon the cheesecake evenly over the crust.
- Spread the other container of Cool Whip over the top of the cheesecake. Sprinkle with the remaining Andes pieces.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to set up. Cut into 24 squares. Refrigerate in a sealed container.
Notes
If you can't find the Andes peppermint crunch chips, you can chop up Andes peppermint crunch thins and candy cane kisses.
You can also make and use 6 cups of this homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
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Janice
Can I make these as individual servings? Like in a mini or regular cupcake tin?
Jocelyn
Yes, you could spoon the filling into smaller servings. I would recommend using the foil liners to give it a little more stability for serving. I hope you enjoy it!
Amy
How far in advance can this be made? Thank you!
Jocelyn
You can make this 1-2 ahead of time. If it sits too long in the fridge, the crust will start to get soggy. I hope you enjoy it.
Sabrina
Loving each layer! So perfect for all of my holiday parties!
Jessica
This was amazing! Thank you so much!
Natasha Kravchuk
I love everything about this - each layer is so delicious and the color makes this so festive for Christmas!
Kristyn
So many of my favorite flavors!! I could eat this whole thing & the color is just beautiful!
Tara
Love everything about this recipe, and my guests always do, too!
Ruthie norton
These look like a great “cool” summer treat - can’t find Andes peppermints anywhere -what gives? Is this exclusively a holiday item?
Jocelyn
I believe the Andes peppermint crunch pieces are only a seasonal item. You can make this with the regular Andes baking chips, but obviously the taste will be a mint flavor and it will be brown instead of pink.
Lynn Ransdell-Shaw
Can the Andes Crunch Thins go in the microwave along with the shortening if we don’t have the baking chips???
Sue
I made these for a Christmas party last weekend. They were a hit with everyone. Super easy to make too. Will make this again!
Jean
This is a fabulous cheesecake ! I made it for Christmas and just loved it.
Brie @ like-the-cheese.com
This looks soooo yummy and seriously festive! Thanks for the recipe! Yummers! P.s. Such a cute and creative blog… I'm stoked I found you!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
I doubt anyone would refuse a homemade dessert that had been hacked into to take pictures! Especially one as minty & cute as this one. That pink -- adorable! 🙂 Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks for the pin love, Amy! 😉
Amanda
Love this pink cheesecake!!! So pretty 🙂
angie
Hello
I live in holland and cant find andes baking bites over here so can i use crushed candy cane or peppermint?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Angie. That is seriously sad that you can't get these yummy peppermint crunch chips, but let's see if we can get this dessert close without using them. You will need to use white chocolate chips in place of the peppermint crunch chips. And then yes, add some crushed candy cane into the mixture. Now it will be white, so if you want it pink, you will need to use a pink food coloring. I hope that helps 🙂
Stephanie
I'm going to try using Hershey's candy cane kisses in place of the Andes chips...wish me luck
Jocelyn
I think as long as you chop the kisses up and get the right amount of "chips" it should work just fine. Keep me posted on how it is and Merry Christmas!
Stephanie
They worked great! They melted easily too...a good option if you can't find Andes anywhere. Merry Christmas to you as well.
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze
First off, I am so sorry about your computer. That totally sucks. And then to lose so many pictures. Agh! Just what you need during one of the busiest times of the year. But I am glad that you made these again, so you could photograph them because it looks delish!! Pinned! Yum Yum Yum!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Don't I want a giant slice of this cake!! Yes, I do.