Peppermint Dream Dessert

Ingredients

  • 1 14.3- ounce package Oreo cookies – you’ll need 20 of them and will use the whole cookie
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 3.4- ounce package White Chocolate OR Cheesecake instant pudding mix we liked it better with the White Chocolate
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract
  • red food coloring
  • 1 8- ounce container Cool Whip divided
  • 10- ounce package Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips divided
  • 2 ounces white baking chocolate separated

  • Instructions

    • In a blender or food processor, finely crush 20 of the Oreo cookies.
    • In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter and finely crushed cookies until well moistened.
    • Press into an ungreased 8 X 8-inch baking dish or line the pan with parchment for easy removal and cutting of the bars.
    • Place into freezer while mixing other layers, for at least a half hour.
    • Using a grater, grate the white chocolate into a bowl.
    • Mix the package of pudding mix with the 1 1/2 cups of milk in a small bowl and place into refrigerator to set.
    • In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, peppermint extract and confectioners’ sugar.
    • Fold in 1 cup of the Cool Whip and mix until well blended.
    • Add red food coloring one drop at a time until the desired hue is reached.
    • Place dollops of the cream cheese mixture on top of the Oreo crust and gently spread.
    • Evenly distribute half of the grated white chocolate and 1 cup of the baking chips over the cream cheese layer.
    • Place dollops of pudding over the top and with an offset spatula, gently spread to completely cover.
    • Spread remaining Cool Whip over the pudding.
    • Refrigerate for at least two hours or freeze for one.
    • Optional, in a plastic bag, break up 8 of the remaining Oreos.
    • Sprinkle the remaining chocolate, peppermint baking chips and cookies, if desired over the top just before serving.

    • Notes

      I updated the recipe on 12/7/16 with the White Chocolate pudding to replace the Cheesecake pudding. We enjoyed the flavor of the White Chocolate the best. I also added the red food coloring to give it more of a festive look.