Candy Cane Ice Cream Pie

Candy cane. Ice cream. Pie. Three desserts you might not have expected to hear in row but you’re just going to have to trust me. This is creamy, cold, and has just enough peppermint flavor all wrapped up in a chocolatey cookie crust. Plus, it’s so easy to make, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief when you read the recipe. Merry Christmas from me to you.

layered frozen pie with ice cream.

This pie checks all the boxes: fun, quick, easy, and impressive. This will quickly become your favorite holiday dessert.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Just use the Wal-Mart brand vanilla ice cream. Nothing fancy. The pink food dye is completely optional, but it makes the pie look pretty. Use a food processor or place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Fine crumbs will help the crust hold together better when pressed into the pie plate.

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ingredients on dark wood counter.

This will make 8 slices. If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls (medium and large)
  • Spatula
  • Spoon or flat-bottomed glass
  • 9-inch pie plate
  • Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
  • Sharp knife
  • Rolling pin or food processor

Ingredients

  • 20 chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies (Oreos) (crushed)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 pint prepared vanilla ice cream
  • 12 ounce frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip) (divided)
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies (divided)
  • 3 drops pink food coloring, optional

How to Make Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

Step One: Make The Crust First

Crush up those Oreos and mix them with the melted butter until everything’s coated. Press it into your pie plate – and I mean REALLY press it down. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press it in there good. You want this thing to be solid so it doesn’t crumble when you cut it later.

crushed oreos and melted butter pressed into pie plate.

Step Two: The Filling

Pull that ice cream out and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes so it’s not rock hard. Don’t go anywhere, though – you don’t want it melting all over your counter. Mix it up with half the Cool Whip, a third of those crushed peppermint candies, and a few drops of pink coloring if you want it pretty. The cheap ice cream works just fine here, by the way. I always grab the Walmart brand vanilla, and nobody knows the difference.

bowl of pink ice cream with crushed peppermints.

Step Three: Put It All Together

Spread that pink mixture into your crust and smooth it out. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap – no air gaps or you’ll get freezer burn. Stick it in the freezer for at least 4 hours.

oreo pie shell filled with ice cream.

Step Four: Finish It Off

Once it’s solid, spread the rest of the Cool Whip on top and sprinkle the remaining peppermint candies all over. Back in the freezer for another hour so the topping sets up nicely.

process of topping pie with cool whip.

Step Five: Serve

Let it sit out for a few minutes before you try to cut it, or you’ll be wrestling with a frozen brick. Use a sharp knife and cut yourself 8 pieces.

close up view of pink frozen pie with white top layer.

Serving & Storing

Keep any leftovers in the pie plate, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and put back in the freezer. Your pie will keep for about 4-5 days. Serve it straight from the freezer, no softening necessary.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Do I really need the food coloring?

No, it’s just to make it look pretty. You can skip it without it affecting the taste.

How do I make sure the toppings don’t melt when I add them?

Make sure the pie is fully frozen before adding the whipped topping and candies. Work quickly and return the pie to the freezer immediately after decorating.

What’s the best way to slice the pie?

Run a sharp knife under warm water, then dry it off before slicing. This helps cut through the frozen layers cleanly. Repeat as needed between slices.

What if my crust falls apart when I try to serve it?

That happens sometimes! Pressing the crust firmly into the pie plate and letting it chill properly can help. If it still crumbles, serve it like an ice cream sundae—no one will mind.

slice of ice cream pie on floral plate.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Try some more peppermint or ice cream pie recipes.

Printable Recipe

Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

Cool, creamy, and just about the easiest dessert you'll make for the holidays. This pie is a hit with all ages.
Print Recipe
slice of ice cream pie with oreo crust and candy canes.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Chilling time:5 hours
Total Time:5 hours 10 minutes

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls (medium and large)
  • Spatula
  • Spoon or flat-bottomed glass
  • 9-inch pie plate
  • Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
  • Sharp knife
  • Rolling pin or food processor

Ingredients

  • 20 chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies (Oreos) (crushed)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 pint prepared vanilla ice cream
  • 12 ounce frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip) (divided)
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies (divided)
  • 3 drops pink food coloring optional

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Instructions

  • Prepare the crust.  Place the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Then, stir the melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened. Next, press the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate, spreading it evenly across the bottom and sides. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to press the crust firmly for a smooth finish. Set aside.
  • Make the filling.  Remove the vanilla ice cream from the freezer and let it soften at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened ice cream, half-whipped topping, 3 drops of pink food coloring (if using), and ⅓ cup of crushed peppermint candies. Mix well until the color and candies are evenly distributed, creating a creamy pink filling.
  • Assemble the pie.  Transfer the prepared filling into the pie crust, using a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the top. Cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, making sure there are no air gaps to prevent freezer burn. Place the pie in the freezer for at least 4 hours or until the filling is firm.
  • Add the topping.  Once the pie is fully frozen, remove it from the freezer and spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the top, using a spatula to create a smooth or decorative finish. Then, generously sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint candies over the whipped topping for a festive touch. Cover the pie loosely and return it to the freezer for at least 1 hour to allow the topping to set before serving.
  • Serve and enjoy.  Before serving, let the pie sit at room temperature for a few minutes to make slicing easier. Use a sharp knife to cut into 8 slices. Serve chilled, and enjoy the cool, creamy, and festive flavors!

Notes

Inexpensive ice cream works just fine for this. I always use Walmart brand vanilla, and it’s perfect!
Press the crust down firmly.  Use the bottom of a measuring cup or a glass to push the cookie crumbs into the pie plate.  This will help create a solid base that won’t fall apart when you cut it.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 4mg
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 480kcal
Author: Katie Shaw

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