No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Squares Recipe
No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Squares are a festive and delicious layered dessert combining a crunchy vanilla wafer crust, a creamy peppermint cream cheese layer, a smooth chocolate pudding middle, and a whipped topping sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to prepare without any baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Peppermint Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup finely crushed peppermint candy cane or starlight mints
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whipped topping
Chocolate Layer
- 1 package (4-serving size) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cups milk
Topping
- 8 oz (1 tub) whipped topping
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped peppermint candy cane
Instructions
- Prepare Crust: Mix the vanilla wafer crumbs, unsalted butter, and sugar thoroughly until combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9 x 9-inch pan to form an even crust layer. Refrigerate to set while preparing other layers.
- Make Peppermint Layer: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese and milk together until smooth and silky. Add sugar and finely crushed peppermint candy, then beat well to incorporate. Gently fold in 1 1/4 cups of whipped topping until blended. Spread this peppermint mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
- Prepare Chocolate Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the instant chocolate pudding mix with 1 3/4 cups milk for 2 minutes until it thickens. Spread the pudding evenly over the peppermint layer. Let it set for 5-10 minutes to firm up.
- Add Topping: Spread the remaining tub of whipped topping evenly over the chocolate layer. Sprinkle coarsely chopped peppermint candy cane on top for garnish.
- Chill or Freeze: Refrigerate the assembled squares for at least 4 hours before serving. For a special treat, freeze the dessert for 4 hours to enjoy it as an ice cream cake-like dessert.
Notes
- You will need 2 tubs (8 oz each) of whipped topping or a larger 12-ounce container, though you won’t use it entirely.
- For a frostier texture, freeze the dessert instead of refrigerating.
- Use any brand of peppermint candy canes or starlight mints crushed finely for the peppermint layer.
- Press the crust firmly to ensure it holds together well.
- Let the pudding set before adding the topping for best layering results.
Keywords: no-bake desserts, chocolate peppermint squares, holiday dessert, Christmas dessert, layered dessert, instant pudding dessert
