Description
Peppermint Holiday Bars are a festive, creamy treat with an Oreo crust, peppermint filling, and chocolate topping finished with crushed candy canes—perfect for holiday cookie trays and gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 Oreo cookies, crushed (about 2 cups crumbs)
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup whipped topping (or whipped cream)
- 4–5 drops red food coloring (optional for a pink swirl effect)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix crushed Oreos and melted butter until well combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust. Bake for 8 minutes, then cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and peppermint extract; mix until creamy. Fold in whipped topping.
- Divide mixture in half and tint one portion light pink with food coloring (optional). Swirl the pink layer into the white layer for a festive look.
- Spread evenly over the cooled crust and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- For the topping, melt chocolate chips, butter, and cream together until smooth. Pour over the peppermint layer and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top. Chill for another 1–2 hours before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Line the pan with parchment for easy removal.
- Chill times help set the layers for clean cuts.
- Optional pink swirl by tinting half of the filling with red food coloring.
- Store bars refrigerated; best within 3–5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Peppermint Holiday Bars, Oreo crust, peppermint filling, chocolate topping, Christmas dessert, holiday bars, candy cane topping