🎄 Candy Cane Dessert Dip (Easy No-Bake Holiday Recipe)

If you’re looking for a simple, festive, and absolutely irresistible holiday dessert, this Candy Cane Dessert Dip belongs on your Christmas table. With its creamy texture, cool peppermint flavor, and crunchy candy cane pieces, this no-bake dessert dip is the perfect sweet treat for busy families, holiday parties, classroom celebrations, and cookie exchanges.

As a mom, teacher, and food blogger, I love recipes that feel special without requiring hours in the kitchen, and this one checks every box. It takes just minutes to mix together, uses only a handful of ingredients, and always disappears fast. Best of all, kids and adults both go crazy for it.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or just making a cozy movie-night snack with your kids, this Candy Cane Dessert Dip is guaranteed to become a new Christmas tradition.

🎅 Why You’ll Love This Candy Cane Dessert Dip

- No-bake and ready in minutes
- Perfect for Christmas parties and school events
- Kid-friendly and crowd-approved
- Easy to transport
- Can be made ahead of time
- Budget-friendly holiday dessert

This is also one of those recipes that feels “fancy” without being complicated, exactly the kind of fun, stress-free treat busy parents need during the holidays.

🛒 Ingredients for Candy Cane Dessert Dip

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this festive dip:
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
-2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, to taste)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- You can use regular vanilla yogurt instead of Greek for a slightly lighter texture.
- If you want it sweeter, add the powdered sugar gradually.
- Peppermint extract is strong, so start small.
- Pre-crushed candy canes work great to save time.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Candy Cane Dessert Dip

This no-bake dessert truly couldn’t be easier:
1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
2. Mix in the vanilla Greek yogurt until fully combined.
3. Add the peppermint extract and stir well.
4. Gently fold in the crushed candy canes.
5. Taste and add powdered sugar if desired.
6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.
That’s it! No oven, no stress, and no mess.

🍪 What to Serve with Candy Cane Dessert Dip

This festive dip pairs beautifully with both sweet and salty dippers:

- Graham crackers
- Nilla wafers
- Pretzels
- Chocolate sandwich cookies
- Strawberries
- Apple slices
- Marshmallows

For a party display, I like to arrange several dippers around the bowl, so guests have lots of choices.

❄️ Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

This recipe is perfect for holiday prep:
- Make ahead: You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance.
- Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Transporting: Keep chilled and pack with an ice pack for parties.
- Not freezer-friendly: Freezing changes the texture.

🎁 Perfect for Every Holiday Occasion
This Candy Cane Dessert Dip works for:
- Christmas parties
- Class holiday treats
- Cookie exchanges
- Family game nights
- Office potlucks
- After-dinner dessert boards
- Santa-night snacks

It’s especially great for classrooms because it’s easy to portion, looks festive, and doesn’t require baking.

❤️ A Little Mom Life Note

Some of my favorite holiday memories with my kids aren’t the big events, they’re the little traditions. Making simple treats like this together, letting them crush the candy canes, sneaking a taste from the bowl...those moments matter. When life feels chaotic, these easy recipes become a small way to create joy and connection without overwhelm.

And on busy school nights in December, I’ll take any shortcut that still feels special.

🧾 Printable Recipe Card: Candy Cane Dessert Dip

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8–10

Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed candy canes
2-3 Tbsp powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions
Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Mix in yogurt and peppermint extract.
Fold in crushed candy canes.
Chill 30 minutes before serving.
Serve With: Graham crackers, wafer cookies, pretzels, fruit, or marshmallows.

Written by Diana Chastain from Nanny to Mommy

Nanny to Mommy