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This easy, make-ahead Peppermint Candy Cane Tart is a super festive crowd-pleaser. It's also melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
Everyone needs a simple yet sensational dessert recipe for holiday celebrations. With an easy graham cracker crust and a short ingredient list, this make-ahead Peppermint Candy Cane Tart will be a huge hit at any party or family get-together!
Holiday Rules
Did you know it's illegal to go through the holiday season without some type of peppermint/chocolate dessert or confection? You've never heard this law before? Well, maybe it's only true here in North Carolina...
Okay, maybe it's not true at all, but I know what is - this heavenly flavor combination is quite irresistible and I find that chocolate peppermint desserts are always holiday crowd-pleasers. This Peppermint Candy Cane Tart is a favorite of ours and when the holidays roll around, it's a "must make".
The delicious filling is made with marshmallow creme, cream cheese, heavy cream and finely crushed candy canes. There's also a splash of peppermint extract (or peppermint schnapps) for an added layer of flavor. And, for garnish (and a delicious crunch) a pretty topping of crushed candy canes is added before serving.
Serve as is or dress it up!
This Peppermint Candy Cane Tart is wonderful just as it is, but if you want to be a bit decadent, whip up a batch of this Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce. Oh my! Schmakalaka (that's what my mom would say if something was particularly delicious)!
Definitely "blog-worthy"!
There's a funny story about this Peppermint Candy Cane Tart. Emmy and Hayes, our two youngest grandchildren were spending the night. After dinner, I gave them the choice of a lollipop or a piece of "cake" (this Peppermint Candy Cane Tart). They both initially chose lollipops, but Emmy wanted to make sure she made the right decision: "Could I just see the cake, Gigi (that's me!)?"
I pulled the tart from the freezer and set it in front of them. Emmy's eyes got big and she quickly turned in her lollipop. After taking the first bite, she blurted out: "This is really, really good for the blog!"
Hayes also changed his mind about dessert. He quickly ditched the candy and, even faster, gobbled up his slice... then he picked up the plate and licked it clean!
Put it on your holiday "must-make" list!
So there you have it! Find some way to sneak this delicious Peppermint Candy Cane Tart into your holiday recipe repertoire. I can assure you, it will be enjoyed by family and friends of all ages!
Café Tips for making this Peppermint Candy Cane Tart
- An 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom is ideal for this Peppermint Candy Cane Tart as you can remove the outer ring after the dessert is frozen for a pretty presentation. If you don't have a tart pan you could also make this dessert in a deep-dish pie pan.
- This dessert can be made ahead as it's stored in the freezer. I like to freeze it in the tart pan, uncovered. Then, when it's completely frozen, I cover it with plastic wrap. The tart will keep well in the freezer for up to a week.
- This recipe calls for 2 cups of cream, whipped until soft peaks form. You can use an electric mixer for this, but that's not really necessary. If you have a balloon whisk that will do the trick nicely. Just start out with a cold bowl (refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before starting) and cold cream and it will take you 2-3 minutes to whisk the cream to form soft peaks.
- No need to add any sugar to the whipped cream since you'll be folding it into the sweet marshmallow cream mixture.
- You might be tempted to add the candy cane topping before freezing this tart. I found that it's better to add the topping just before serving. The candy tends to "melt" into the filling and doesn't look as pretty if you add it right away. Just sprinkle the topping over the tart before serving.
- To break up the candy canes, I put them in a large ziplock bag and use the back of a soup spoon to crush them. I just tap until all of the large pieces are small.
- Chocolate graham crackers are available at most groceries stores right next to the regular graham crackers. If you can't find them or live in another country where they're not available, you could use regular graham crackers, increase the sugar to ¼ cup and add ¼ cup of cocoa.
- Feel free to use either peppermint extract or peppermint schnapps in the filling. I've tried both with delicious results!
- Peppermint extracts vary in intensity. Start with a half teaspoon and add more, to taste.
- If you don't live in the U.S. you might not be familiar with marshmallow creme. Marshmallow creme is an American confectionery. It's a marshmallow-like substance that's spreadable. If it's not available, you can make your own! It takes about 10 minutes. Here's a link for Homemade Marshmallow Creme.
Thought for the day:
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2:30-32
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
This make-ahead Peppermint Candy Cane Tart is a super festive crowd-pleaser. It's also melt-in-your-mouth delicious and easy to put together!
- 12 whole chocolate graham crackers not chocolate-covered finely ground, crushed (should be about 1 ¼ cups)
- 7 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 8 5-inch candy canes crushed (3 ½-ounces)
- 1 7- oz jar marshmallow creme
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups heavy cream whipped until soft peaks form
- ¼ cup peppermint schnapps or ½-1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2-3 drops red food coloring optional
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Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in the middle position.
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Combine crushed chocolate graham crackers (see Café Tips above), sugar and butter in a medium-size bowl. Press crumbs evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Cool completely.
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Crush candy canes (see Café Tips above) into fairly small pieces (don’t completely pulverize). Pour candy cane pieces into a medium hole strainer and shake to separate the superfine powder from the pieces of candy cane. Place ¼ cup of the larger pieces in a small airtight container and reserve till just before serving. Set aside the remainder of the crushed candy.
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Combine marshmallow creme and softened cream cheese in a large bowl. Mix until smooth.
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Fold in the whipped cream, finely crushed candy cane and peppermint schnapps (or peppermint extract) until everything is well combined.
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Pour mixture into prepared crust and place in the freezer until firm (3-4 hours). Just before serving, top with reserved crushed candy cane pieces. Serve frozen or just slightly thawed.
See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.
Kelly says
Some things just necessitate licking the bowl. This filling is one of them. Holy cow, yum. Can you believe we have a shortage of chocolate graham crackers right now? That's okay, I actually found chocolate wafer cookies and they worked just beautifully! We can't wait to break into this in a couple days! I have the topping set aside, ready to go!
Chris Scheuer says
That's great to know about the chocolate wafer cookies! Enjoy, Kelly!
Suz says
How do you think just mint extract would do? No peppermint extract anywhere!!
Chris Scheuer says
It will be delicious! You’ll get a good amount of peppermint from the candy canes.
Merry Christmas 🎁
Stacy G. says
Festive, easy, light, make ahead dessert...Love it!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Stacy!
Cookies4kids says
I am on a mini desserts journey made in the 5.5 oz clear deli cups with covers. I have made a chocolate mousse with the peppermint schnapps (homemade) that were super so I new this would be a great holiday recipe. I made a brownie mix in a 9x13 pan so it was about 1/2” thick. I cut rounds using the deli container top and then I filled the containers to 1/2” of the top with your beautiful mousse. I pushed the brownie round into the top of the container so it connected with the mousse. Into the freezer and instant dessert for guests. I turn them out into pretty dishes while frozen and let thaw while we eat dinner. Merry Christmas and thanks.
Chris Scheuer says
Such an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing your technique! So fun!
Dixie Harris says
Hi Chris, I am getting ready to try the Candy Cane Tart and looked at the frenchbroadchocolates.com but they have so many different dark chocolates. Which were the ones that you have used? I did not see just bitter or semi sweet.
Love your blog and love the music and verses you include as well as such a personal touch. Have a wonderful Christmas, be is very different but Jesus is the same!!!
Kathy says
I served this for a family birthday celebration and it was a huge hit! We also had two toddlers at the table & one of them even licked his plate and all the adults laughed and said they’d been thinking they’d like to do that as well! I increased the amount of all the ingredients to make a 9 x 13 for more servings but I didn’t alter anything on the list. This is definitely a crowd pleaser & makes a beautiful presentation!
Chris Scheuer says
Haha! I love it! Thanks for taking the time to share your results, Kathy!
Dena says
This was fantastic. And the hot fudge sauce took it over the top !
Abby Levine says
This looks beautiful, and sounds so delicious. I will make it but gear it towards Hanukkah not Christmas, by using blue and white candy canes which I see on occasion. Hanukkah has just ended last night so I look forward to making this for next year. Happy holidays to all of you as you head into your Christmas. Abby
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Abby! It would be beautiful with the blue and white candy canes! Hope you had a lovely Hanukkah.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I'm TOTALLY on a chocolate peppermint kick right now Chris! I may have eaten one piece too many of the Williams Sonoma Peppermint bark! I'm dying it's so good. This looks like it needs to happen in my kitchen shortly! I've got a girls weekend this weekend and I think this needs to make an appearance!
Susan says
I remember this 🙂 Such a beautiful tart and so festive!
Sharl says
Oh my this looks yummy!! But I am going to make a slight change and use chocolate wafers for the crust for a more chocolate flavor. And of course top it with that hot fudge sauce.
Chris Scheuer says
Yes, chocolate wafers will be wonderful! I used chocolate graham crackers because I've found that chocolate wafers can be hard to find and I like to include ingredients that most readers can easily purchase. Enjoy and happy holidays!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
This is gorgeous! Lovely recipe, wonderful photos. And so PERFECT for the holidays. Thanks.
Mira Edorra says
This is awesome! The combination of flavors sounds like a great authentic taste. I love everything about this recipe, need to try this!
Jenna says
This looks like heaven Chris! On to December!
Liz says
Thanks for the repeat! I know my gang will want their slices with fudge sauce!
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
Such a beautiful tart perfect for Christmas! I love the chocolate crust - it looks delicious. Make ahead desserts are a blessing! Pinned
Susan says
Such a gorgeous and festive dessert, Chris! So many wonderful Christmas ideas and so little time. Pinning for next year 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful Christmas ♥
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
We got a last minute invitation to stop by for Christmas dessert at friends and this sounds perfect to take along.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
What a perfect holiday tart and I love that it can be made ahead and stored in the freezer! Will make time for this one over the holidays! Merry Christmas 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Merry Christmas to you and your family Jennifer!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
How pretty and festive!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Chris!
Marilynn says
I'm with Madonna! This will DEFINITELY be on next year's menu!!!!! Thank you for another wonderful recipe!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks and Merry Christmas Marilynn!
Liz says
Hayes and Emmy have great taste! Such a gorgeous holiday dessert. Merry Christmas!!!
Madonna says
Oh, I wish I had this recipe sooner. I have pinned for next year.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Madonna, I had too many holiday recipes I wanted to share this year 🙂
Madonna says
No worries, I have it now. 🙂
Ginny Hartzler says
Awesome! it will be the it of Christmas Day!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Ginny, enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas!
Charlotte Moore says
This is such a pretty looking dessert. Thanks for all your work creating these recipes.
May GOD BLESS you all with a Merry CHRISTmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Charlotte. Wish you a very Merry Christmas too and many blessings in the new year!