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This chilled, stacked mint Oreo delight combines the refreshing taste of mint with crunchy chocolate cookies for a simple yet stunning sweet treat. I began whipping these up for my kid's birthday celebrations, but they've turned into our favorite quick dessert when we want something that seems fancy but takes almost no time to make.
I threw these parfaits together when friends dropped by unexpectedly and I needed something sweet fast. The mix of cool mint with chocolate was such a success that now it's what our family always makes when company comes over.
Ingredients
- Mint Oreos: they bring chocolate goodness and pretty green flecks throughout your layers
- Vanilla instant pudding: makes the smooth base that binds everything
- Milk: starts the pudding process and gives you the right thickness
- Cream cheese: brings a nice richness and slight tang against the sweetness
- Cool Whip: makes everything fluffy and gives that cloud-like feel
- Peppermint extract: boosts the minty taste without going overboard
- Green food coloring: you can skip it, but it does make the layers pop against the dark cookies
Easy Assembly Steps
- Mix up your pudding base:
- Stir the vanilla pudding with cold milk, then add a couple drops of peppermint extract and green coloring. It'll thicken up in about 2-3 minutes. Give it a good whisk to get rid of any clumps in your pudding mix.
- Smooth out the cream cheese:
- Get your electric mixer and beat the softened cream cheese until it's completely lump-free. Don't skip this step if you want your dessert silky smooth. Make sure you've left your cream cheese out for about half an hour before you start.
- Mix pudding and cream cheese together:
- Slowly add your pudding to the cream cheese while mixing at medium speed. Keep going until everything's well blended with no white streaks left. Don't forget to scrape the bowl sides now and then.
- Add in the Cool Whip:
- Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the thawed Cool Whip into your mixture. Instead of stirring, use a lifting motion so you don't lose all the airiness. This makes your filling light and fluffy.
- Build your layers:
- Start by putting a spoonful of crushed Oreos at the bottom of each glass. Add a big spoonful of mint filling on top. Do this one more time so you end up with four total layers. Try to keep each layer separate for the best look.
- Add the finishing touch:
- Sprinkle some crushed Oreos on top and stick a mini Oreo or cookie piece on as decoration. The dark cookie bits really stand out against the mint mixture and make it look extra fancy.
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What really makes these parfaits special is how you crush the Oreos. I like to put them in a plastic bag and smash them with a rolling pin until I've got a mix of fine dust and bigger chunks. This gives you that amazing contrast between smooth filling and crunchy cookie bits.
Keeping It Fresh
You can keep these treats in your fridge for up to 3 days. Just wrap each glass with plastic to stop them from picking up other food smells. The cookies will get softer over time, creating a cake-like texture many folks actually prefer. If you want the maximum crunch factor, either put everything together right before serving or add the cookie parts just before you eat.
Fun Twists To Try
The mint Oreos make the classic version, but any Oreo type works great here. During summer, try golden Oreos with a hint of lemon flavor, use pumpkin spice Oreos in autumn, or go for peppermint Oreos at Christmas time. You can also change up the extracts to match whatever cookies you pick. For coffee lovers, try adding a spoonful of instant espresso to your pudding mix and use coffee-flavored Oreos.
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How To Serve It Up
These parfaits look best in clear glasses so everyone can see all those pretty layers. For everyday get-togethers, stemless wine glasses work great, while tiny shot glasses make perfect bite-sized treats for bigger parties. I always serve them cold with long spoons that can reach down to the bottom layer. If you want to make them extra special, add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a bit of whipped cream just before bringing them to the table.
Common Questions
- → Can I swap mint Oreos for regular ones?
You can definitely use regular Oreos instead of mint ones, but your parfaits will taste different.
- → Is it OK to make these parfaits before a party?
They work great made a few hours early and kept in the fridge. Just add the final toppings right before you serve them for the best look.
- → What's a good replacement for Cool Whip?
Homemade whipped cream works well instead of Cool Whip, though it might feel a bit different in your mouth.
- → How many people can eat from one batch?
You'll get about 6-8 servings, depending on how big your cups are.
- → Can I put other stuff on top?
For sure! Try adding some chocolate chips, mint candy pieces, or a bit of chocolate sauce drizzled over the top.