Get ready to discover your new favorite holiday dessert. This No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake is the perfect combination of rich chocolate, cool peppermint, and creamy filling, all layered together into a show-stopping treat that requires absolutely zero oven time. It’s the ultimate easy, impressive dessert for Christmas parties, family gatherings, or any time you need a festive sweet.
With its striking layers and candy cane crunch, this cake looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery. But the secret is its simplicity. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a bit of chill time to create a dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why This No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake is a Holiday Hero
When the holiday season gets hectic, you need recipes that are both delicious and stress-free. This No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake checks every box.
Unbelievably Easy: With no baking required, this is a perfect recipe for all skill levels. The process is as simple as crushing, mixing, and layering.
Make-Ahead Magic: This cake needs to chill for at least 6 hours, but it’s even better overnight. This makes it the ideal dessert to prepare a day in advance, freeing you up on the day of your event.
Festive & Fun: The combination of peppermint and chocolate is a holiday classic. Topped with crushed candy canes, it’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The crunchy Oreo crust, creamy peppermint filling, and fluffy whipped topping create a texture and flavor combination that kids and adults will love.
The Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its magical flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand.
Layering is the key to this simple yet stunning dessert.
For the Oreo Crust:
Oreo Cookies: One standard package is all you need. The chocolate cookies create the perfect rich, crunchy base.
Unsalted Butter: Melted butter acts as the glue that holds the delicious crust together.
For the Peppermint Filling:
Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese, and make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
Powdered Sugar: This dissolves easily, sweetening the filling without any graininess.
Peppermint Extract: A little goes a long way to infuse the filling with that classic cool, minty flavor.
Heavy Whipping Cream: You’ll whip this to stiff peaks to make the filling light, airy, and stable.
Crushed Peppermint Candies: For that festive crunch and extra minty kick.
For the Topping:
Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip): This provides a stable, fluffy final layer. You can also use stabilized whipped cream.
More Crushed Peppermint Candies & Mini Chocolate Chips: For a beautiful and crunchy garnish.
How to Make the Perfect Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to assemble your stunning no-bake dessert. It’s all about the layers!
Step 1: Prepare the Oreo Crust
First, create the foundation. Place the Oreo cookies in a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, you can place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Pour the crumbs into a bowl and mix with the melted butter until fully combined. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the dish in the freezer to set while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Create the Peppermint Cream Filling
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Beat in the peppermint extract. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold about one-third of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whipped cream and the crushed peppermint candies until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
The secret to this cake is the light, fluffy, and perfectly minty filling.
Step 3: Layer the Cake
Retrieve your crust from the freezer. Carefully spread the peppermint cream cheese filling in an even layer over the Oreo crust. Next, gently spread the whipped topping over the peppermint layer. The back of a spoon or an offset spatula works perfectly for this.
Step 4: Chill to Perfection
This is the most important step! Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time allows the layers to set and the flavors to meld together, transforming it from simple layers into a cohesive, sliceable cake.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle the top of the cake with additional crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips. Slice, serve cold, and enjoy the rave reviews!
Pro Tips for a Flawless Icebox Cake
Want to ensure your cake is absolutely perfect? Follow these expert tips.
Soften Your Cream Cheese: Room temperature cream cheese is crucial for a smooth, lump-free filling. Set it on the counter for at least an hour before you begin.
Don’t Overmix the Filling: When folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese base, use a gentle touch to maintain the airy texture.
Chill Thoroughly: Don’t rush the chilling process. The cake needs time to set properly so you can get clean, beautiful slices.
Garnish Just Before Serving: Add the final sprinkle of crushed peppermint right before you serve. This prevents the candy from bleeding its color and softening. For even more holiday flair, try one of these decadent chocolate peppermint mousse cups.
Fun Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Try one of these simple swaps to make it your own.
Different Oreos: Experiment with Mint Oreos or Golden Oreos for a different flavor profile.
Chocolate Drizzle: After chilling, drizzle the top with melted dark or white chocolate for an extra touch of decadence.
Layered Cookies: Instead of a crust, try layering whole Oreo cookies on the bottom and in between layers of the peppermint filling. If you love no-bake desserts, this easy no-bake Nutella cheesecake is another must-try.
Storing Your No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake
This cake stores beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead option. Keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Oreo crust will soften slightly over time but will remain delicious. You can also freeze the cake for up to one month. Thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Absolutely! This dessert is best made ahead. It needs at least 6 hours to set, but making it the day before you plan to serve it is ideal. The flavors will have more time to meld together, and it will be perfectly chilled.
You can store the icebox cake, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Oreo crust will gradually soften over time but will remain delicious.
Yes, you can. However, for the topping layer, you’ll want to use stabilized whipped cream to ensure it holds its shape. To do this, beat 1.5 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Yes, this cake freezes very well. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and it can be frozen for up to one month. Thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours before slicing and serving.
While the peppermint candies provide the classic holiday flavor and a nice crunch, you could substitute them. Try using chopped Andes mints, peppermint bark, or even just mini chocolate chips in the filling for a different twist.
More Holiday Treats to Share
Looking for more festive desserts to round out your holiday menu? These recipes are sure to be a hit. From chewy cookies to rich fudge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. For a truly unforgettable treat, check out these amazing M&M Christmas Cookie Bars. They are perfect for any celebration!
The Easiest Holiday Dessert You’ll Ever Make
This No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for easy holiday entertaining. It delivers that ‘wow’ factor without the stress, giving you more time to enjoy with your loved ones. We know this will become a new tradition in your home!
If you make this delicious cake, we’d love to see it! Share your creation and tag us on Pinterest. Happy holidays!
The easiest, most impressive dessert you'll make all season!
No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake Recipe
FL Recipes
No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake: The Ultimate Holiday Dessert
This No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Icebox Cake is the ultimate easy holiday dessert! A crunchy Oreo crust is topped with a creamy peppermint filling and fluffy whipped topping for a festive, crowd-pleasing treat.
1 Food processor (or a zip-top bag and rolling pin)
Method
Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor to create fine crumbs. Mix crumbs with melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Freeze for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until fluffy. Mix in the powdered sugar until smooth, then beat in the peppermint extract. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.
Gently fold the whipped cream and 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint candies into the cream cheese mixture until just combined.
Spread the peppermint filling evenly over the chilled Oreo crust. Top with an even layer of the thawed whipped topping.
Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to allow the cake to set completely.
Just before serving, sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup of crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips. Slice and serve cold.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 4gFat: 30gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your filling. Tip 2: Don't rush the chilling time! It's essential for the cake to set properly for clean slices. Tip 3: Garnish right before serving to keep the peppermint candy pieces crunchy and prevent colors from bleeding.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
