Peppermint Cool Whip Candy: A Festive Treat
It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients can bring so much joy, right? That’s how I feel about this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy. I remember the first time I made it; I needed a quick, festive dessert for a holiday gathering, and it was a HUGE hit! It’s become a Christmas staple, and now I’m excited to share this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy with you!
This Peppermint Cool Whip Candy is the perfect solution when you need a quick and easy dessert that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Fellow comfort seekers, are you ready for a simple, satisfying recipe that your family will adore? This is it! Let’s bring some comfort to our tables, one easy recipe at a time.
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need
- 1 (8 ounce) container of Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or peppermint bark
- Optional: Red food coloring (for a festive touch!)
Trust me, this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. If you’re feeling extra festive, grab some peppermint bark for that irresistible chocolatey crunch!
No worries if you don’t have peppermint extract – I use a few drops of peppermint essential oil (food grade, of course!) for extra comfort in my Peppermint Cool Whip Candy. This easy peppermint candy proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive. For a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought crushed peppermints, crush your own peppermint candies.
My family gets extra comfort when I add a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. It adds a touch of richness that balances the peppermint perfectly. Here’s a Peppermint Cool Whip Candy comfort hack that changed our family’s dessert time: let the Cool Whip soften slightly before mixing. It makes everything so much easier!
Let’s Make it Happen!
- First, in a large bowl, gently fold the thawed Cool Whip with the powdered sugar. Be patient and avoid overmixing, or it can become runny. This Peppermint Cool Whip Candy recipe is all about gentle love and care.
- Next, add the peppermint extract (and red food coloring, if using). Mix until just combined. Your Peppermint Cool Whip Candy should smell amazing by now, like a winter wonderland!
- Now, gently fold in the crushed peppermint candies or peppermint bark. I like to save a few for topping. This step is where the magic happens, turning simple Cool Whip into a festive treat.
- Spread the mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8 inch baking dish. Parchment paper is a lifesaver for easy cleanup!
- Sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint candies on top. Don’t worry if your Peppermint Cool Whip Candy looks a little imperfect – that’s the beauty of homemade!
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch!
- Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes to soften slightly. This Peppermint Cool Whip Candy is best served chilled but not rock solid.
In my busy kitchen, this comforting Peppermint Cool Whip Candy usually takes about 10 minutes to prepare (excluding freezing time). Here’s where I used to struggle with my Peppermint Cool Whip Candy – learn from my experience! I used to overmix it, resulting in a soupy mess. Now I know to be gentle. While your Peppermint Cool Whip Candy is chilling, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family!
How We Love to Eat This!
The kids devour this comforting Peppermint Cool Whip Candy when I serve it with warm chocolate brownies. It’s the perfect contrast of hot and cold, rich and refreshing. This easy peppermint candy is perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast!
We also love this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy at Christmas gatherings. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, and it looks so festive on the dessert table. For a fun presentation, I like to cut the frozen Peppermint Cool Whip Candy into squares and arrange them on a platter with fresh raspberries.
Leftovers (if there are any!) can be stored in the freezer for up to a week. Just make sure to wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn. I sometimes crumble leftover Peppermint Cool Whip Candy over hot chocolate for an extra special treat.
This comforting Peppermint Cool Whip Candy reminds me of another family favorite, my Strawberry Cool Whip Candy – it’s another no-bake wonder that the kids adore!
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Is this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy really filling enough for growing kids? Absolutely! The Cool Whip and powdered sugar provide a good source of energy, and the peppermint adds a refreshing touch.
What if my picky eater won’t try this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy? Try offering it as a small bite alongside something they already love. Sometimes, just a little taste is all it takes.
Can I meal prep this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy for busy weeks ahead? Yes! It freezes beautifully, making it a great make-ahead dessert. I often make a double batch and freeze half for later.
How long does this Peppermint Cool Whip Candy last in the freezer? It will stay fresh for up to a week if stored properly in an airtight container.
If your kids love this, they’ll go crazy for my Candy Corn Poke Cake – another fun and festive treat!
Can I use a different type of extract? Yes! Vanilla or almond extract would also be delicious, but it won’t have that signature peppermint flavor.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free? You can try using a dairy-free whipped topping alternative, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different.
Is this a good Christmas candy recipe? Yes, it’s a fantastic Christmas candy recipe because it’s easy, festive, and requires no baking! Need Easy peppermint Christmas dessert ideas?
Final Thoughts
This Peppermint Cool Whip Candy supports my family’s comfort food goals because it’s quick, easy, and satisfying. It’s a sanity-saving dessert that everyone loves, and it requires minimal effort.
Here are my Peppermint Cool Whip Candy Comfort Hacks:
- Soften the Cool Whip slightly before mixing for a smoother texture.
- Don’t overmix the ingredients to prevent a runny consistency.
- Use parchment paper to line the baking dish for easy removal.
Here are a few family-tested Peppermint Cool Whip Candy variations:
- Chocolate Peppermint: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the mixture for a chocolatey twist.
- Peppermint Bark Swirl: Swirl melted chocolate into the mixture before freezing.
- Peppermint Crunch: Add crushed Oreos for extra texture and flavor.
My son prefers the chocolate peppermint version, while my daughter loves the peppermint bark swirl. If you want additional cool whip fudge ideas, research online!
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your family as it has to mine! Remember, cooking should be fun and stress-free. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out my Apple Butter Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Cream.
Go ahead, fellow comfort seekers, and try this satisfying Peppermint Cool Whip Candy! You’ve got this!
Peppermint Cool Whip Candy
This Peppermint Cool Whip Candy is a simple, no-bake dessert perfect for the holidays! It’s light, fluffy, and packed with refreshing peppermint flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 130 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the thawed Cool Whip, vanilla pudding mix, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract.
- Gently fold together until well combined.
- Stir in the crushed peppermint candies.
- Spread the mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle additional crushed peppermint candies on top before freezing.