Peppermint Dip

Name: Peppermint Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces Cream Cheese; ¾ cup Powdered Sugar; 1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract; ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 6 Crushed Candy Canes (divided); 4 ounces Cool Whip; 3 tablespoons White Chocolate Chips; Graham Crackers OR Chocolate Graham Crackers; Shortbread or Butter Cookies; Pretzels; Vanilla Wafers; Molasses Cookies

By Shruthi B. MakanjuPublished Dec 11, 2024

GF NF VE

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Reviews

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 2.5 cups

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I first whipped this peppermint dip up for a last-minute get-together when I realized I had candy canes but no dessert. Five minutes later, I had a creamy, minty bowl of MAGIC ready to go! The fluffy texture, sweet-tangy flavor, and crunch of crushed candy canes make it feel like a winter wonderland in every bite. Bonus: you can pair it with just about anything for dipping, from cookies to pretzels!

An image of peppermint dip on a serving platter with crackers and biscuits around it.

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💭 Peppermint Dip You Can Make in 5 Minutes

This peppermint dip is a holiday lifesaver—it’s quick, easy, and endlessly festive. The balance of fluffy cream cheese and refreshing peppermint is just right, making it a hit with kids and adults alike. I’ll never forget serving this at holiday parties and watching it disappear in minutes—it’s that good!

A hit at parties. This festive dip is a guaranteed hit at Christmas gatherings, adding a sweet, minty touch and candy cane flavors to your party spread.
No fuss dessert dip. With no baking required, this dessert dip comes together in just five minutes using simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
Generous servings. You’ll only need a handful of ingredients but this holiday treat yields plenty to serve a crowd, making it ideal for sharing.

Want more festive dips? Try my pumpkin pie dip and Grinch dip (always a hit with the kiddos!)

📋 Ingredients and notes

To make this peppermint dip, you’ll need a block of cream cheese, cool whip, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, candy canes, and white chocolate chips.

An overhead image of the ingredients of peppermint dip.

Variations & Substitutions

Cream cheese. Use a block of full-fat cream cheese and not the spreadable kind. Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften it and make it easier to mix.
Cool whip. You can also use heavy whipping cream or marshmallow fluff.
White chocolate chips. You can also use mint chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips for a different flavor.
Candy cane. Crush the candy canes or use crushed peppermint candy instead.
Turn it into an Oreo peppermint dip. Fold in crushed peppermint-flavored Oreos for a crunchy, festive addition.
Red food coloring. Add a drop of red food coloring to add a colorful candy cane swirl.

📖 How to make peppermint dip

Step 1:
Add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and extracts to a large bowl and beat with your hand mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy.

An overhead image of adding cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl.

Step 2:
Fold in the cool whip, and most of the crushed candy canes, reserve about 2 tablespoons of the crushed candy canes for the top.

An overhead image of adding crushed candy canes and Cool Whip to a bowl.

An overhead image of the peppermint dip mixture in a bowl.

Step 3:
Once the mixture is well combined, move to your serving bowl and sprinkle the rest of the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips on top.

An overhead image of the peppermint dip transferred to a serving bowl.

An overhead image of adding white chocolate chips.

Step 4:
Enjoy with your favorite dippers!

An overhead image of serving the peppermint dip with dippers like graham crackers, pretzels, and cookies.

Shruthi’s Top Tip

Let the cream cheese fully soften before you start mixing—it’s the key to a smooth, fluffy dip that blends perfectly with the other ingredients.

Sift the powdered sugar beforehand if it’s clumpy to avoid lumps in your dip.
Start with ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract, taste, and adjust as needed since peppermint flavor can quickly become overpowering.
For a better texture, crush the candy canes into small, consistent pieces using a sealed bag and a rolling pin or mallet.
To make the dip look extra festive, pipe it into the serving bowl using a piping bag before adding toppings.
Chill the dip in the fridge for 20-30 minutes if you prefer a thicker consistency.
Decide whether you want the dip to stay white or turn pink by adding the crushed candy canes after mixing (white) or before mixing (pink).
For a less sweet version, reduce the powdered sugar to ½ cup or add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
Use fresh candy canes to ensure they’re crunchy and not sticky or stale.
Experiment with creative dippers like apple slices, gingerbread cookies, or marshmallows to mix things up.

👩🏽‍🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs

What’s the easiest way to make the dip smoother?

If your mixture is chunky, beat the cool whip with the cream cheese and sugar instead of folding it in.

Can I skip the crushed candy canes?

Yes, you can leave them out or replace them with peppermint candies for the same flavor.

How do I keep the dip white instead of pink?

Add the crushed candy canes after mixing to avoid coloring the dip pink.

Can I double the recipe for a larger group?

Absolutely! Just make sure to use a larger bowl and beat everything thoroughly to keep the texture smooth.

How long can I leave the dip out at a party?

It’s best to keep it out for no longer than 2 hours; refrigerate any leftovers promptly to maintain freshness.

🍴 How to serve peppermint fluff

Serve peppermint dip with graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers, shortbread or Danish butter cookies, pretzels, vanilla wafers, Linzer cookies, and molasses cookies.

A close up image of peppermint dip with crackers around it.

🍴Storage and reheating suggestions

Store peppermint dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Give it s quick stir before serving. I don’t recommend freezing dips with Cool Whip or whipped cream, as the texture changes when thawed.