Table of Contents
  1. No-bake peppermint cheesecake ingredients
  2. Why make a no-bake dessert?
  3. More Cake Recipes
  4. Watch how to make this peppermint cheesecake
  5. No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe

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The Christmas season is so extremely busy: parties, programs, family gatherings, and shopping. With so much going on, it can be hard to fit everything in!

I always have a few recipes at hand that can be made when in a pinch. This cheesecake is a delicious no-bake dessert. It’s perfect for the holidays when you need fast and simple recipes to make on the fly when unexpected parties and gatherings pop up. Most times I don’t choose a no-bake dessert as it feels like cheating. But this cheesecake has turned me into a no-bake believer.

White plate with slice of peppermint cheesecake sitting on red colored napkin sitting on white countertop with cake plate in background

No-bake peppermint cheesecake ingredients

  • Chocolate sandwich cookies: When crushed, these become the best press-in crust for the cheesecake. Sweet and chocolatey, they balance the peppermint perfectly.
  • Cream cheese: This is an essential ingredient and the beginning of any cheesecake. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: This is the secret component that gives the perfect creamy texture even after the cheesecake is frozen.
  • Whipping cream: Once whipped to stiff peaks and folded with the remaining ingredients, the whipped cream gives a light texture to offset the heavy cream cheese. Since this is not baked, the whipped cream helps provide the cheesecake more of a baked consistency.
  • Crushed peppermint candy: This is the real star. Not only does the candy offer the needed peppermint flavor, but the color slightly turns the cheesecake a festive pink hue.
Top down view of slices of peppermint cheesecake sitting on white plates on white countertop filled with chocolate cookie crumbs and peppermint candy canes

Why make a no-bake dessert?

The most important part of any food is that it tastes good and looks good. The way it is made should not matter. This cheesecake really tastes like cheesecake but with a slightly lighter texture.

The method for making this is similar to no-churn ice cream. The ingredients are mixed together and frozen, creating a soft-enough texture to slice but frozen enough to hold a good shape. The best part is this can be made weeks in advance. Seriously, weeks! Keep in an airtight container and it will stay fresh!

Close up view of peppermint cheesecake with slices taken out sitting on white cake plate with chocolate crumbles and candy cane pieces

More Cake Recipes

Watch how to make this peppermint cheesecake

YouTube video
White plate sitting on white countertop with slice of peppermint cheesecake with chocolate crumbles on top with pieces of crushed up peppermint

No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake

4.58 from 35 votes
When it's the busy holiday time, there is nothing better than a no-bake dessert to save time and effort! This no-bake peppermint cheesecake is made from the flavors of the holiday season with a light, fluffy texture that's super smooth to eat!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Freeze Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 1 ½ cup chocolate sandwich cookies finely crushed
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted

For the filling

  • 1 pint heavy cream (may use prepared whipped topping)
  • 1 lb cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup peppermint candy finely crushed

Instructions
 

For the crust

  • Crush cookies using a food processor or using a bag with a meat pounder. Add butter and mix until completely incorporated.
    1 ½ cup chocolate sandwich cookies, 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Press into a 9-inch springform pan, making sure to distribute the mixture evenly. If hand is sticking to the cookies, use plastic wrap and the bottom of a flat measuring cup. Once pressed in set aside.

For the filling

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream until it holds a peak, 2-3 minutes. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
    1 pint heavy cream (may use prepared whipped topping)
  • In the same bowl of the electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth, 2-3 minutes. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix well until fully incorporated with no lumps of cream cheese.
    1 lb cream cheese, 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • Once the cream cheese and milk are well mixed, fold in the whipped cream. Add half of the whipped cream and fold to lighten, then add the remaining whipped cream and fold until fully incorporated.
  • Stir in the crushed candy and pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least eight hours.
    1 cup peppermint candy
  • Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving, slice, and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 354kcal
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Difficulty Easy
Method Freezing

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Kaleb

I’m Kaleb! I'm not a chef, professional baker, landscaper, or designer, but I like to play each on Knollgate Farm. Come join me on my journey and let's learn together!

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4.58 from 35 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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20 Comments

  1. This cheesecake looks WONDERFUL!!! Chocolate and peppermint DEFINITELY go together for Christmas!!! My only disappointment in this video was that we didn’t get to see the “pounding of the candy canes!!!!” Thinking this might be a wonderful thing to do after a frustrating shopping experience! haha! Keep up the awesome work … I LOVE to see your work!!

  2. Made this Peppermint Cheesecake in place of a birthday cake this year. Absolutely delicious and super easy! Everyone at the party faved over it. Thanks Gray Boxwood for sharing.

    1. Jan, So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Hopefully it will become a holiday staple at your home as it has at mine!

  3. 5 stars
    This cheesecake got rave reviews. My son wants me to make it again and again and maybe change up the flavour according to the seasons. I think you’ve created a monster.😁

    All your recipes are fabulous and you make it so easy for us to follow.
    Thank you
    Diana from Canada

    1. So glad this was enjoyed! The recipe is easily adaptable to other flavors! I am excited to see what you come up with.

  4. 5 stars
    I love your philosophy and your lifestyle.
    They bring peace and comfort to the soul.
    My granny and grandpa Van Deventer,
    We’re the green thumbs of our family.
    My granny was a home cook who
    cooked 3 meals a day her entire life.
    We always loved going to their house.
    It always smelled like a bit of what I imagine
    Heaven to be like! ❤️

  5. 5 stars
    I love your philosophy and lifestyle.
    They bring peace and comfort to the soul.
    My granny and grandpa Van Deventer,
    We’re the green thumbs of our family.
    My granny was a home cook who
    cooked 3 meals a day her entire life.
    We always loved going to their house.
    It always smelled like a bit of what I imagine
    Heaven to be like! ❤️
    I am excited to make the delicious looking
    No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake!
    I just have to purchase a spring form cake pan!

  6. Wanting to make the peppermint cheesecake, do I leave filling in the cookies as some say to remove. I love making your recipes

  7. Hi, I am going to do your No bake peppermint cheesecake for a Christmas dinner . I have done several of your recipes . I did you apple butter for gifts at last year’s Christmas party . Love your shows . I am also from Iowa. Winterset. and West DES Moines I still like to get back for the state fair. Living in Flordia now.

  8. 5 stars
    Does this cheesecake need to be frozen or can it Be refrigerated for several hours before eating? Also if it needs to be frozen do you need to put it back in the freezer or refrigerate? Love watching you

  9. I just finish watching video for second time now I am ready to do this for a Christmas dinner . I made the peppermint candy platter so want to remove bottom pan . Wish me luck .

  10. 5 stars
    I made this for Christmas. Used a little less peppermint….IT WAS DELICIOUS!!!! EVERYONE loved it and so easy to make❤️❤️❤️❤️

  11. This cheesecake looks delicious and sounds easy enough to make. My husband and son’s birthdays are a day apart, they asked for a cheesecake this year. So I am making this cheesecake recipe for their birthdays. First time ever making a cheesecake, hope it turns out good.

  12. 5 stars
    Wow, this is delicious! My hubs is not the biggest lover of peppermint, but he really loved this. Very smooth and creamy, great balance between the peppermint and chocolate. Very easy to make! Thank you for the recipe — this will definitely go on our holiday dessert rotation!

  13. I made the no bake peppermint cheesecake for Christmas. I haven’t tried it yet, but the filling is delicious!
    I wish I knew how many cookies equal to a cup and a half. I used the whole package and had a lot left.