Peppermint Crisp Pudding

A beloved South African classic, this no-bake dessert is incredibly easy to make and impossible to resist. Layers of crispy cookies, a silky-smooth caramel and cream mixture, and a generous amount of crunchy peppermint crisp chocolate create a symphony of textures and flavors. It’s the perfect treat to prepare ahead of time and is guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.

Instructions

1. 1

   In a mixing bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Reserve about a quarter of the whipped cream for garnish later. Take the rest of the whipped cream and gently fold it into the tin of caramel until you have a smooth, well-combined mixture.

2. 2

   Grate the peppermint crisp bars. Add about three-quarters of the grated chocolate to the cream and caramel mixture and stir to combine. Save the remaining grated chocolate for the final decoration.

3. 3

   In a shallow bowl, pour in the milk and dissolve the instant coffee granules. If you're making an adult version, now is the time to stir in your preferred liqueur like Baileys or Cape Velvet.

4. 4

   Take the Tennis biscuits and briefly dunk each one into the coffee-milk mixture. Make sure to flip them over so they are lightly softened but not so much that they fall apart. This step is optional but adds a nice hint of coffee flavor and helps to soften the biscuits.

5. 5

   To assemble the pudding, you can either create one large dessert or individual portions. For a single dish, place a layer of the soaked biscuits on the bottom, followed by a thin layer of the caramel-cream mixture. Repeat this layering until all the mixture is used up, finishing with a final layer of the cream mixture on top.

6. 6

   For individual portions, simply crumble one or two biscuits into the bottom of each serving glass, then top with a layer of the caramel-cream mixture and repeat the layers. Finish with a layer of the reserved plain whipped cream if desired.

7. 7

   Decorate the top of the pudding with the remaining grated peppermint crisp. Place the dessert in the fridge to set for at least four hours, or preferably overnight, before serving.

Recipe Notes

• The flavor combination of coffee and peppermint is fantastic, as the coffee cuts through the intense sweetness of the caramel and chocolate. This step is optional, but it makes a big difference to the overall taste.

• This dessert is an excellent make-ahead option. Preparing it the day before you plan to serve it gives the biscuits plenty of time to soften and the flavors to fully meld together. It also ensures the pudding is perfectly chilled and set.

• To make a beautiful layered pudding in a single dish, be sure to use a shallow, wide dish rather than a deep one. This allows for more layers and makes it easier to serve.

• Peppermint Crisp is a South African chocolate bar with a crunchy peppermint filling. If you cannot find it, you can use any chocolate with a similar minty, crunchy center, or a combination of crushed hard mint candies and chocolate.