Name: Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 36 Oreo cookies (14 oz package); 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 cup whipped topping, thawed; 1/2 cup crushed candy canes; 2 (3.3 oz each) packages white chocolate pudding mix; 2 3/4 cups cold milk; Remaining 11 oz whipped topping, thawed (from 12 oz carton); Remaining crushed candy canes (approximately 1/4 cup)

There’s something undeniably festive and utterly irresistible about the Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe. Layers of creamy white chocolate pudding, peppermint crunch, and a fudgy Oreo crust make it a magical treat that’s as easy to whip up as it is to enjoy.

A glass square dish shows two visible layers of dessert. The bottom layer is white and smooth, while the top layer is a creamy white with small red candy pieces crushed and scattered evenly across the surface. Some candy bits are larger chunks, adding texture against the creamy top. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe during the holidays, and it quickly became a crowd favorite. It’s festive without the fuss, so you get all the seasonal joy with none of the oven heat—a total win in my book.

Effortless Assembly: You don't have to turn on the stove or oven, making it perfect for busy holiday prep.
Layered Flavors: Every bite has the perfect balance of minty candy canes, creamy filling, and chocolatey crust.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It chills beautifully, so you can prep it a day in advance, freeing up your party day.
Kid-Approved: The sweet and cool peppermint vibe is a hit with kids and grown-ups alike.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This combination of ingredients comes together to create a dessert that’s creamy, crunchy, and festive. Each component plays a key role, so here’s a little insight to help you shop and understand why they’re perfect for this no-bake delight.

Flat lay of crushed dark chocolate Oreo crumbs, a small mound of golden melted butter in a white ceramic bowl, a pinch of coarse sea salt crystals, a block of smooth cream cheese, a small pile of fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl with fresh milk, a fluffy white whipped topping dollop on a white dish, a scattering of bright red and white crushed candy cane pieces, two unopened packets of fine white chocolate pudding mix, and a larger white bowl filled with cold milk, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Oreo Cookies: Gives a sturdy, chocolaty base and a little crunch; crushing them in a food processor makes the crust easy to pack firmly.
Unsalted Butter: Binds the cookie crumbs together with rich moisture without overpowering flavor.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the sweetness and chocolate notes beautifully.
Cream Cheese: Adds tangy creaminess and smooth texture, balancing the sweet layers.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer evenly, dissolving effortlessly for a silky finish.
Milk: Keeps the cream cheese filling loose enough for easy spreading.
Whipped Topping: Lightens both the cream cheese and pudding layers, creating that fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Crushed Candy Canes: Delivers that iconic peppermint crunch and festive look, divided between layers and topping for punch in every bite.
White Chocolate Pudding Mix: Provides a rich, indulgent layer with sweet white chocolate flavor, setting nicely without baking.
Cold Milk (for pudding): Activates the pudding mix and ensures smooth, creamy texture when whisked well.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap out the candy canes for crushed peppermint bark just for something a bit more textured or add a splash of vanilla extract to the cream cheese layer to amp up the flavor.

Variation: For a dairy-free twist, use a non-dairy cream cheese and whipped topping; it still tastes fantastic and keeps the same layered magic.
Seasonal Switch: Outside winter, swapping candy canes for crushed toffee bits or even fresh berries works wonderfully for a lighter vibe.
Difficulty Level: This recipe is perfect for beginners but feels fancy enough to impress guests.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe

A slice of dessert with three visible layers sits on a white plate over a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is dark brown, crumbly, and looks like crushed cookies or chocolate crumbs. The middle layer is thick, creamy white with a smooth texture. The top layer is white whipped cream sprinkled with small, bright red and white candy pieces. A fork is holding a piece of the dessert on the right side, showing the inside layers clearly. In the background, a red and white striped cloth can be seen. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Create the Perfect Oreo Crust

Grab your food processor and pulse those Oreos into fine crumbs—no big chunks! If you don’t have one, pop them in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Then add the salt and melted butter and pulse just until the crumbs clump together like wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish—this crust holds all the layers perfectly. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you move on.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer

In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth—no lumps, please! Gradually add powdered sugar and milk, beating for about 2 minutes until silky and spreadable. Gently fold in one cup of the whipped topping and half of your crushed candy canes. This combo creates that dreamy, minty creaminess. Spread this layer evenly over your chilled crust.

Step 3: Prepare the White Chocolate Pudding Layer

Start with a clean bowl and whisk the white chocolate pudding mix with 2 ¾ cups of cold milk for about 2 minutes until it thickens nicely. Spread this luscious pudding all over the cream cheese layer to build those decadent middle layers.

Step 4: Top It Off and Chill

Smooth the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer, then cover your dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Chill for at least four hours—overnight is even better because the flavors meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Finish with a Peppermint Crunch

Right before serving, sprinkle the rest of the crushed candy canes on top for an extra festive pop and that satisfying crunch everyone loves.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe dozens of times, and these tips saved me from a few frustrating misses. Remember, the crust should be well-pressed but not soggy, and folding gently keeps the layers light and airy.

Crust Pressing: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crust; it compacts evenly without crushing the crumbs.
Cream Cheese Soften Carefully: Let cream cheese come to room temp fully for smoothest texture — no one wants lumps!
Whipped Topping Folding: Fold rather than stir to keep the cream cheese layer fluffy and light.
Chill Time: Don’t rush – the pudding needs time to set firmly so each slice holds its layers perfectly.

How to Serve Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding some whole mini candy canes or shaved white chocolate curls right before serving for an extra special look and texture. Fresh mint leaves also add a refreshing touch and pop of color if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Pair this no-bake delight with hot cocoa or a warm cup of coffee for cozy contrast. Light fruit trays or a citrus salad on the side work well too, balancing the richness of the dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I sometimes serve this dessert in individual small mason jars—perfect for grab-and-go and gifting. Layered desserts always impress in glasses, and it’s a great way to make portions look fancy and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Candy Cane No-Bake Delight refrigerated, tightly covered with plastic wrap. It maintains freshness and texture for up to 4 days, which is great because it’s often gone by then!

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers wrapped in foil and placed in an airtight container. It thaws well in the fridge overnight, but I’d recommend enjoying fresh whenever possible to keep that dreamy creamy texture.

Reheating

This dessert doesn’t need reheating—it’s best served chilled. Just let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes if it’s been in the fridge too long for a softer bite.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! One of the best things about the Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe is that it’s perfect for making ahead. In fact, chilling it overnight greatly improves the flavor and lets the layers set perfectly.

What if I don’t have a food processor to crush the Oreos?

No worries! Just place the Oreos inside a sealed plastic bag, then use a rolling pin or heavy pan to crush them until you get fine crumbs. It’s a bit more effort, but it works just as well.

Can I use a different type of cookies for the crust?

Definitely! While Oreos give a classic chocolatey flavor, you can substitute with chocolate graham crackers or even gingerbread cookies for a nice seasonal twist.

Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use gluten-free cookies for the crust (there are some great Oreo-style options nowadays), and be sure to check that your pudding mix and whipped topping are also labeled gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Candy Cane No-Bake Delight Recipe feels like a little winter hug on a plate. It’s festive without complicating your holiday schedule and always earns rave reviews. I can’t wait for you to try it—serving it once will have you coming back every year, just like me.