Peppermint Crisp Tart
This easy peppermint crisp tart recipe is a classic South African no-bake dessert made with layers of coconut biscuits, caramel cream and crushed Peppermint Crisp chocolate. Creamy and packed with minty crunch, it's the perfect make-ahead pudding for braais, Sunday lunches, or any time you need a quick crowd-pleasing dessert.
Also known as peppermint fridge tart, this South African dessert is one of the easiest puddings you'll ever make. The biscuits soften overnight in the fridge into a soft cake-like texture, while the caramel cream stays light and rich at the same time.
If you love this peppermint crisp tart, you might also enjoy some of my other South African recipes like crustless milk tart, easy malva pudding recipe or pampoenkoekies. These desserts go perfectly with a main dish like bunny chow recipe, or my easy chicken with chutney and mayo.
Jump to:
- What is Peppermint Crisp Tart?
- Why you'll love this peppermint crisp tart
- Peppermint crisp tart ingredients
- How to make peppermint crisp tart
- Tips for the best peppermint crisp tart
- Serving ideas
- Storage and make ahead tips
- Ingredient substitutions (Outside South Africa)
- Make it as peppermint crisp tartlets
- FAQ
- South African desserts
- Easy Peppermint Crisp Tart Recipe
What is Peppermint Crisp Tart?
Peppermint crisp tart is a classic no-bake South African dessert made by layering coconut biscuits with whipped cream and caramelised condensed milk, then topping with crushed Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars. It chills for several hours so the biscuits soften into a cake-like texture, creating a creamy fridge tart that's rich, minty, and incredibly easy to make.
The biscuits soften in the fridge, creating a texture similar to a soft cake. The filling is rich but light, thanks to whipped cream folded into caramelised condensed milk.
It's usually served chilled and is especially popular at:
- braais
- family Sunday lunches
- Christmas
- summer gatherings
Because it's a no-bake peppermint crisp tart, it's also one of the easiest desserts to prepare ahead of time.
Why you'll love this peppermint crisp tart
- No baking required
- Only 5 simple ingredients
- Perfect make-ahead dessert
- A nostalgic South African favourite
- Easy to scale for parties
It's also incredibly forgiving. Even if the biscuit layers aren't perfect, the tart still sets beautifully once chilled.
Peppermint crisp tart ingredients
This recipe uses just a handful of pantry staples, which is one of the reasons it's so popular..
- Tennis biscuits: These coconut-flavoured South African biscuits are traditional for peppermint crisp tart. They soften in the cream and give the dessert its signature flavour. Look for them in the international aisle at Woolworths and Coles in Australia, or substitute coconut biscuits or Nice biscuits.
- Peppermint Crisp bars: A South African chocolate bar filled with delicate green mint shards that add the signature crunch. Available at Woolworths and Coles in Australia in the world foods aisle, or order online from South African specialty shops.
- Caramel condensed milk: Also called caramel treat, Top'n'Fill or dulce de leche. This creates the rich caramel flavour of the filling. I use Nestlé Top'n'Fill caramel, which is easy to find in most big supermarkets.
- Whipping cream: Use heavy or whipping cream with at least 35% fat so it whips properly. The whipped cream lightens the caramel so the dessert isn't overly sweet.
- Vanilla extract and salt: Both optional, but they balance the sweetness and round out the caramel flavour.
How to make peppermint crisp tart
Whip the Cream: Whip the cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. The cream should be fluffy but not stiff.
Soft Peaks: Check that the whipped cream holds soft peaks. It should keep its shape but still look smooth and airy.
Prepare the Caramel: Add the caramel condensed milk to a bowl with the vanilla and a pinch of salt.
Loosen the Caramel: Whisk the caramel mixture until smooth so it folds easily into the cream.
Start Folding: Gently fold the caramel into the whipped cream. At first the mixture will look streaky.
Finish the Filling: Continue folding until the caramel and cream are fully combined and smooth.
Crush the Chocolate: Crush the Peppermint Crisp bars in their wrapper using a rolling pin.
Break Larger Pieces: Tip the crushed chocolate into a bowl and break any large pieces by hand.
Layer the Biscuits: Arrange a layer of Tennis biscuits neatly across the base of a 9 × 13 inch (23 × 33 cm) dish.
Add the Filling: Spoon several scoops of caramel cream over the biscuit layer.
Spread the Cream: Smooth the filling evenly over the biscuits to create the first layer.
Add Chocolate: Sprinkle a layer of crushed Peppermint Crisp over the cream.
Repeat Layers: Continue layering biscuits, caramel cream and crushed chocolate until the dish is full, finishing with cream and remaining chocolate.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, until the biscuits soften and the tart sets.
Tips for the best peppermint crisp tart
A few small tricks make a big difference.
- Use soft peaks for the cream so the filling stays light
- Break or cut the biscuits if needed to fill the dish neatly
- Chill overnight for the best texture
- Spread layers evenly so every slice holds together
If the filling ever feels too thick, you can fold in a tablespoon of extra cream to loosen it.
Serving ideas
Peppermint crisp tart is rich, so smaller slices work best.
It's perfect served after:
- braai chicken
- grilled lamb chops
- roast beef
- pork roast
It also pairs beautifully with coffee after dinner.
For special occasions, serve it with:
- fresh berries
- a drizzle of chocolate sauce
- or serve it in a tall stem glass
For a full South African meal, serve this peppermint crisp tart for dessert after a cape malay bobotie recipe main, or pair it with coffee and all bran rusks for an afternoon tea spread.
Storage and make ahead tips
Peppermint crisp tart stores very well, which makes it ideal for preparing ahead.
- Fridge:
Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. - Texture:
The biscuits will continue softening slightly, which many people actually prefer. - Make ahead:
Best made the day before serving. - If the filling firms too much:
Let the tart sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing.
Ingredient substitutions (Outside South Africa)
I live outside South Africa, so I usually source most ingredients from a South African shop or substitute what I can find locally. Here's exactly what to use depending on where you are.
In Australia
Australians get lucky with this one. Peppermint Crisp bars are sold at Woolworths and Coles in the international or world foods aisle. Tennis biscuits are also stocked at most large Woolworths stores. For the caramel, I use Nestlé Top'n'Fill caramel which is easy to find next to the regular condensed milk.
- Tennis biscuits: Arnott's Nice biscuits or any coconut-flavoured tea biscuit
- Peppermint Crisp: Cadbury Aero Mint (available in most Australian supermarkets)
- Caramel treat: Nestlé Top'n'Fill caramel or dulce de leche
In the United Kingdom
Tennis biscuits and Peppermint Crisp can be hard to find in standard UK supermarkets but are available at South African specialty stores like The South African Shop. If you can't get them, these substitutes work well.
- Tennis biscuits: McVitie's Nice biscuits or any coconut tea biscuit
- Peppermint Crisp: Aero Mint bars
- Caramel treat: Carnation caramel (Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda) or boiled condensed milk
In the United States
Most US grocery stores don't stock Peppermint Crisp or Tennis biscuits, but you can order both from South African specialty shops online like African Hut or World Market. For local substitutes, Andes mints and Lil' Dutch Maid coconut bar cookies are the closest matches.
- Tennis biscuits: Lil' Dutch Maid coconut bar cookies or Leibniz butter biscuits
- Peppermint Crisp: Andes mints or homemade peppermint bark (chocolate chips + crushed starlight mints)
- Caramel treat: Nestlé La Lechera dulce de leche (Walmart, most grocery stores) or homemade from boiled condensed milk
Older South African recipes sometimes used ladyfingers instead of Tennis biscuits, so don't worry if your substitution looks a little different. The recipe is forgiving.
If you love classic South African desserts, my easy malva pudding recipe is another must-make. It's soft, sticky, warm and soaked in a rich sauce, perfect when you want something a little cosier than peppermint crisp tart.
Make it as peppermint crisp tartlets
If you're serving peppermint crisp tart at a party or want individual portions, turn it into peppermint crisp tartlets instead. The recipe stays exactly the same - only the assembly changes.
To make peppermint crisp tartlets:
- Use small dessert glasses, ramekins, or pre-baked mini tart shells instead of a large dish.
- Break the Tennis biscuits into smaller pieces so they fit the base of each portion.
- Layer biscuit pieces, caramel cream and crushed Peppermint Crisp the same way you would in a large tart, finishing with a generous chocolate topping.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best texture.
Mini peppermint crisp tartlets are perfect for buffets, baby showers, and bring-a-plate occasions because there's no slicing and no risk of the layers collapsing on the plate. One batch of this peppermint crisp tart recipe makes about 8 to 10 individual tartlets, depending on the size of your glasses.
FAQ
Yes. Coconut biscuits, ladyfingers or Nice biscuits work well as substitutes.
I haven't tried freezing it myself, and I don't think it would work very well. The whipped cream filling may separate slightly once thawed, which can change the texture. It's best enjoyed fresh from the fridge.
Mint Aero, Andes mints or any mint chocolate bar can work if Peppermint Crisp isn't available.
It will keep well for about 3 days if covered and refrigerated.
Yes. Use the same filling but layer it into small dessert cups or mini tart shells for individual portions.
Peppermint Crisp bars are sold at most Woolworths and Coles stores in the international or world foods aisle. Tennis biscuits are stocked at larger Woolworths stores and at South African specialty shops. If you can't find Peppermint Crisp locally, Cadbury Aero Mint is a good substitute.
Yes. Peppermint crisp tart, peppermint fridge tart and peppermint crisp pudding all refer to the same classic South African no-bake dessert. The names are used interchangeably depending on the region and the family recipe.
Peppermint crisp tart is one of those desserts that always disappears quickly. If you try it, let me know how it turned out or what twist you added.
South African desserts
Looking for other South African dessert recipes like this peppermint crisp tart recipe? Try these:
- Honey roasted macadamia nuts
Easy Peppermint Crisp Tart Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
A classic South African no-bake dessert layered with coconut biscuits, caramel cream and crunchy Peppermint Crisp chocolate. Easy to assemble and perfect for making ahead.
Ingredients
Caramel Cream
2 cups (500 ml) whipping cream, cold
1 can (13 oz / 380 g) caramelised condensed milk (dulce de leche) (Note 1)
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
1 pinch salt, optional
Tart Layers
2 packets (14 oz / 400 g) Tennis biscuits or coconut biscuits (Note 2)
4 Peppermint Crisp bars (7 oz / 200 g), crushed (Note 3)
Optional
2 tablespoons (30 ml) cocoa powder, for dusting
¼ cup (30 g) extra crushed Peppermint Crisp, topping
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Whip Cream: Whip the cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. The cream should be fluffy and hold its shape but still look smooth and airy, not stiff.
- Make Filling: In a separate bowl, add the vanilla and salt to the caramel condensed milk and whisk until smooth and loosened. Gently fold the caramel mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined and creamy.
- Crush Chocolate: Crush the Peppermint Crisp bars in their wrapper using a rolling pin until small shards form. Tip into a bowl and break any large pieces by hand. Reserve a little for the topping.
- Layer Tart: Arrange a layer of Tennis biscuits neatly across the base of a 9 × 13 inch (23 × 33 cm) dish. Spoon the caramel cream over the biscuits and spread it evenly. Sprinkle some crushed chocolate over the cream. (Note 4)
- Repeat Layer: Repeat a layer of biscuits, caramel cream and crushed chocolate until the dish is full, finishing with a layer of cream and the remaining chocolate on top.
- Chill: Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, until the biscuits soften and the tart is set.
- Serve: Slice into squares and serve chilled. Add extra crushed chocolate or a light dusting of cocoa powder if desired.
Notes
- Caramel condensed milk: Caramel condensed milk (often called Caramel Treat in South Africa) is sweetened condensed milk that has already been cooked into a thick caramel. I usually use Top'n'Fill caramel, which is easy to find in most large supermarkets. You can also use dulce de leche, or make your own from condensed milk, although that takes several hours.
- Tennis biscuits: Tennis biscuits are the traditional coconut biscuit used for peppermint crisp tart. If you can't find them, coconut biscuits or digestive biscuits work well. Some older South African recipes even used ladyfingers as the biscuit layer.
- Peppermint Crisp: Peppermint Crisp is a South African chocolate bar filled with delicate mint-flavoured chocolate shards. If you can't find it locally, you can often order it online from South African shops such as African Hut. In a pinch, Aero Mint or another mint chocolate bar can work as a substitute.
- Dish size: I used a 9 × 13 inch (23 × 33 cm) dish, which makes two layers with this amount of filling. If you prefer more layers, you can use a smaller or deeper dish and build additional layers of biscuits, cream and chocolate.
- Prep Time: 20
- Chill time: 360
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: South African
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 33.1 g
- Sodium: 292.8 mg
- Fat: 21.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 53.1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Love this recipe? Explore all our easy South African recipes for more SA classics you can make at home.
This peppermint crisp tart recipe is super easy to make and delicious!
Thanks Jenny, it's one of my favourites especially for Christmas!