The Perfect Peppermint Parfait

This simple peppermint parfait recipe is made with brownies, whipped cream, and a homemade cheesecake layer filled with crushed peppermint candies. These tasty little treats can be ready for your holiday festivities in just a few minutes!

If you love the flavors of peppermint this holiday season as much as we do, be sure to try a few more of our favorite peppermint recipes – Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies, Peppermint Marshmallow Pops, Peppermint Popcorn, Candy Cane Cookie Bars, and Candy Cane Protein Truffles.

With all the holiday celebrations and the busy schedules this time of year, I can definitely appreciate a sweet treat that requires little or no effort to prepare. These cheesecake peppermint parfaits are perfect!

Chocolatey brownie bites, creamy peppermint cheesecake, and a homemade whipped cream that ties everything together! Add some crushed peppermint candies and some chocolate shavings to dress it up and you’ve got an impressive, delicious little treat in just a few minutes!

One of the things I love most about these is that you serve them in individual serving cups – which makes entertaining a breeze when you have them ready to go when your guests arrive.

If you love the flavor combinations of the chocolate and mint, definitely give these peppermint brownie parfaits a try!

How To Make Peppermint Parfaits

I brought all the ingredients of these cheesecake peppermint parfaits to my mother-in-law’s house and I was able to prepare them in between all of the other holiday craziness. Everyone loved them, they taste amazing, and they could not be any easier to make!

INGREDIENTS: 

• Brownies – Buy some brownies from the bakery, or make your own at home. Box brownie mix is just fine, or try our recipe for homemade brownies. (It’s amazing!!)
• Whipped Cream/ Whipped Topping – You can buy Cool Whip or Whipped Cream at the store, or follow the recipe below for a homemade version using heavy whipping cream and sugar. (It’s so easy and delicious!)
• Peppermint Cheesecake – You will need the following ingredients:
  • cream cheese
  • sugar
  • peppermint extract
  • crushed peppermint candy – you can use candy canes, peppermint discs, or the buttery peppermint that melt in your mouth << those are my favorite!
  • whipped cream
• Garnish – Chocolate shavings, unsweetened cocoa powder, chocolate wafers, chocolate cookies, or crushed peppermints look pretty!

INSTRUCTIONS –

For the whipped cream – Combine the heavy whipping cream and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the peppermint cheesecake – Beat the cream cheese and sugar on high speed until fluffy. Mix in the 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.

Gently fold in the crushed peppermint candy. This will dye the mixture a light pink that looks so pretty- no food red coloring needed!

Finally, fold in 1 cup of the prepared whipped cream.

Assemble – Place a layer of brownies on the bottom of a small glass. Top with a layer of peppermint cheesecake mixture, followed by a layer of whipped cream. Repeat the layers until your jars are full. (When I use my small parfait glasses, I only have space for 1 layer each.)

Garnish – Add chocolate shavings and crushed peppermints. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

That’s it! Such a simple and delicious dessert! Aren’t these peppermint cheesecake parfaits so pretty, too?

More Holiday Treats –

• Big, Soft Gingersnap Cookies
• Best Homemade Chocolate Fudge
• Easy Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Chex Muddy Buddies
• Take 5 Cookie Bites

Here’s a printable recipe card for your convenience –

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Peppermint Parfaits

Servings: 12 parfaits

This simple peppermint parfait recipe is made with brownies, whipped cream, and a homemade cheesecake layer filled with crushed peppermint candies. These tasty little treats can be ready for your holiday festivities in just a few minutes!

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Total Time:15 minutes mins

Ingredients

for the brownie layer:

• 12 brownies, homemade or store-bought

for the whipped cream layer:

• 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup sugar

for the peppermint cheesecake layer:

• 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
• 1 cup whipped cream

for garnish:

• chocolate shavings
• crushed peppermints

Instructions

• For the whipped cream – Combine the heavy whipping cream and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  
• For the peppermint cheesecake – Beat the cream cheese and sugar on high speed until fluffy. Mix in the peppermint extract. Gently fold in the crushed peppermint candy. Finally, fold in 1 cup of the prepared whipped cream.
  
• Assemble – Place a layer of brownies on the bottom of a small glass. Top with a layer of peppermint cheesecake, followed by a layer of whipped cream. Repeat the layers until your jars are full. (When I use my small parfait jars, I only have space for 1 layer each.) Garnish with chocolate shavings and crushed peppermints.
  
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Nutritional values will vary based on the amount of layers you put in each parfait.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 parfait · Calories: 261 kcal · Carbohydrates: 21 g · Protein: 1 g · Fat: 20 g · Saturated Fat: 12 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g · Cholesterol: 72 mg · Sodium: 23 mg · Potassium: 45 mg · Sugar: 17 g · Vitamin A: 765 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 38 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Other Notes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, Holiday, Winter