4 Ingredient Peppermint Crisp Tart (No-Bake)

This 4 Ingredient Peppermint Crisp Tart is a classic South African no-bake dessert that’s creamy, minty, and irresistibly nostalgic. Perfect for Christmas, summer braais, or any festive gathering. It requires no baking, minimal effort, and simple ingredients. The freezer does most of the work while you enjoy compliments from family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No-bake and fuss-free: This dessert requires no baking, making it perfect for beginners or anyone short on time.
• Creamy and light: Whipped cream combined with caramel creates a silky, indulgent filling that is rich yet light enough to enjoy without feeling heavy.
• Minty crunch: Peppermint Crisp chocolate adds a refreshing minty contrast and a gentle crunch, giving each bite delightful texture and flavour.
• Make-ahead friendly: The tart can be prepared in advance and chilled until serving, making it ideal for stress-free entertaining.
• Classic South African dessert: Loved by all ages, this tart brings nostalgia to the table and is a festive favourite for Christmas, summer gatherings, or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Fresh cream: Fresh cream is the backbone of this tart. When whipped, it adds lightness and volume, preventing the dessert from feeling heavy. It also balances the sweetness of the caramel, resulting in a smooth, airy filling rather than a dense one.

Caramel: I used tinned caramel treat which provides richness, sweetness, and body. It gives the tart its signature indulgent flavor and helps bind the layers together. When combined with whipped cream, it transforms into a silky filling that sets beautifully once chilled.

Coconut biscuits: Coconut biscuits form the structure of the tart. As they chill, they soften slightly by absorbing the cream, creating tender, cake-like layers.

Peppermint crisp chocolate: Peppermint Crisp chocolate is what makes this tart unmistakably South African. It adds a refreshing minty contrast that cuts through the richness of the caramel and cream. The chocolate also provides a gentle crunch, giving the tart its signature finish.

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whip the fresh cream until soft peaks form. Stop as soon as the cream holds its shape. Overwhipping will split the cream and make it grainy.

Step 2: Place the caramel in a separate bowl and mix until smooth. This makes folding easier and ensures an even texture.

Step 3: Gently fold the whipped cream into the caramel. Use slow, light movements to keep the mixture airy.

Tip: Folding instead of stirring keeps the tart light and mousse-like.

Step 4: Use a 9-inch (23 cm x 23 cm x 7.5 cm) square dish or a rectangular tray to assemble the tart.

First, arrange a layer of coconut biscuits at the base. Next, spread about 2 cups of caramel cream mixture evenly over the biscuits. You can now sprinkle chopped peppermint crisp chocolate on top. Repeat the layers, alternating biscuits and caramel cream, until the tray is full.

NOTE:

• Finish the last layer (top layer) with caramel cream topped with Peppermint Crisp.
• Do not press the biscuits too tightly when assembling each layer, or the layers will lose their definition and the tart may become too dense.

Step 5: Cover the dish tightly with cling wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours. While the tart can also be chilled in the fridge, freezing helps it set faster and hold its shape better. Before serving, allow the tart to stand at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. This softens the layers slightly and makes slicing clean and easy.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Make-ahead: You can prepare this tart a day or two in advance. Assemble it, cover it tightly, and store it in the freezer or fridge until you’re ready to serve.
• Freezer storage: Keeping the tart in the freezer creates an ice cream–like texture, making it extra refreshing. It stores well for up to 7 days. Thaw for 10–15 minutes at room temperature before slicing for easier serving.
• Fridge storage: If you prefer a softer, ready-to-serve tart, store it in the fridge. This keeps the layers tender and easier to slice while maintaining the creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my tart runny?
The tart may be runny if the cream wasn’t whipped to soft peaks or if it hasn’t chilled long enough. Whip the cream to soft peaks and freeze for at least 4 hours to ensure the layers set properly.

What can I use instead of caramel?
If you don’t have tinned caramel treat, you can use dulce de leche. It provides a similar sweetness and creamy texture, and works just as well when folded with the whipped cream.

Does it need to be frozen?
Freezing helps the tart set and gives it a refreshing, ice cream–like texture, but storing it in the fridge works if you prefer a softer tart.

Did You Try This Recipe?

If you tried this 4 Ingredient Peppermint Crisp Tart, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and rating below. and share your experience. Your feedback helps other readers cook and bake with confidence and inspires me to keep creating and sharing more comforting recipes.

More no-bake sweet treat recipes you’ll love:

• No Bake Cheesecake
• Barfi
• Gulab Jamun