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Chocolate Peppermint Lush Dessert

A delightful and festive dessert that layers chocolate pudding, peppermint cream cheese, and crushed candy canes, capturing the essence of holiday cheer.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Sweet
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 32 pieces Oreos
  • 8 tablespoons butter, melted 1 stick
For the Peppermint Layer
  • 2 bars cream cheese, room temperature 8 oz each
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
  • 1 drop red gel food coloring
  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes
For the Chocolate Layer
  • 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding 3.9 oz each
  • 3 cups half and half
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
  • to taste crushed and chopped peppermint candy canes for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with softened butter or shortening.
  2. Crush the Oreo cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
  3. Mix in the melted butter until combined, then press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish.
  4. Freeze the crust for 20 minutes.
Peppermint Layer
  1. In a bowl, blend the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract until smooth.
  2. Fold in the Cool Whip and red gel food coloring until combined.
  3. Add in the crushed candy canes and spread the peppermint mixture evenly over the crust.
Chocolate Layer
  1. Whisk the instant chocolate pudding and half and half in a bowl until thickened, about 3 minutes.
  2. Spoon the chocolate pudding layer over the peppermint layer and smooth it out.
  3. Spread the Cool Whip over the chocolate pudding layer.
Chilling
  1. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 6–8 hours or overnight.
Garnish and Serve
  1. Before serving, sprinkle the crushed and chopped candy canes on top.
  2. Slice and serve chilled, optionally pairing with warm cocoa or coffee.

Notes

Customize the crushed candy canes for desired sweetness and add chopped nuts for extra crunch if desired. Consider using gingerbread cookies or vanilla pudding for variations.