Peppermint Crisp Tart Recipe | South African No Bake Dessert

Peppermint Crisp Tart Recipe

Gianpiero Rusconi

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

0 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

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Cuisine:

South African

Course:

Dessert

Servings:

4 persons people

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EQUIPMENT:

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Pie dish or rectangular baking dish
• Rolling pin (if making a biscuit base)
• Plastic wrap or parchment paper (if making a biscuit base)
• Fridge or freezer (to set the tart)
• Food processor or ziplock bag (to crush the biscuits for the base)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener (if using canned caramel)
• Sharp knife or kitchen shears (to chop the peppermint crisp chocolate)
• Serving spatula or spoon.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 packet of Tennis biscuits
• 1 can of caramel treat
• 300ml of fresh cream
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 4 Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars, crushed

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Start by whipping the cream until soft peaks form. You can either use a whisk or an electric mixer, but avoid overbeating as it can turn into butter. Once your cream is ready, put it on the side to use it later.
2. Now let's prepare the caramel. Empty your can of caramel treat into a separate mixing bowl. What's South African cooking without a little bit of caramel treat, right? Don't rush this part mate. You need to beat the caramel until it's smooth and creamy. C'mon now, put some elbow grease into it.
3. After you've worked out all the lumps in your caramel, we're moving to the vanilla extract. Now add the vanilla extract into your beaten caramel. This may seem like a small step, but trust me, there's magic in that little teaspoon of extract.
4. Remember the cream we whipped earlier? It's time to bring it back out. Carefully, fold your whipped cream into the caramel mixture. You want to be gentle here. We are not doing a Hercules routine. Keep it light, okay? We're going for a fluffy, creamy texture.
5. Now let's move to the Tennis biscuits. Arrange your Tennis biscuits in a layer on the bottom of your pie or baking dish. Make sure to cover the entire bottom of the dish. You can always break some biscuits to fill in the gaps.
6. It's time for our creamy caramel mixture to join the party. Pour half of your caramel mixture over the first layer of Tennis biscuits. Use your spatula or wooden spoon to spread it out evenly. We want to cover all the biscuits.
7. Sprinkle half of your crushed Peppermint crisp chocolate over the caramel layer. Ah, the star of this dish, the Peppermint Crisp! Nothing else quite like it.
8. Repeat this process. Add another layer of Tennis biscuits, followed by the rest of your caramel mixture and then another sprinkling of crushed Peppermint Crisp.
9. Now, remember to save some of that delectable Peppermint Crisp for the final topping. Nothing speaks volume more than a generous topping!
10. Place your Peppermint Crisp Tart in the fridge to chill and set. The tart gets better the longer it chills, so I suggest allowing it to set overnight. But if you're seriously craving a slice, wait at least 4 hours before you indulge.
11. And there you have it, the classic South African Peppermint Crisp Tart! Just remember, don't rush it. Good things take time, just like this tart. Enjoy every step of the process and your efforts will be rewarded with a delicious, mouth-watering dessert!

Peppermint Crisp Tart History

Here in South Africa, we hold our desserts dear to our hearts, and the Peppermint Crisp Tart is a beloved classic. It is a no-bake dessert that hails from the heartland of Mzansi, getting its name from its key ingredient, the Peppermint Crisp chocolate bar. This candy bar is a true blue South African favourite that features a mint-flavoured crisp coated in rich milk chocolate. Combine this with a blend of cream and caramel, layer it between hearty Tennis biscuits, and you have the makings of a truly scrumptious peppermint crisp tart.

Tips & Tricks

My top tip for making this tart is to let it chill overnight. This allows the Tennis biscuits to soften and meld with the caramel and cream mixture, making it just heavenly to bite into. Don’t skimp on the Peppermint Crisp either; it’s the star of the show, after all. Just remember, patience is key with this tart – the longer it rests, the more magnificent the taste.

Best Occasions to Serve Peppermint Crisp Tart

Peppermint Crisp Tart can turn any gathering into a celebration. It is an indulgent treat making it perfect for birthdays, big family dinners, and festive occasions. Picture yourself on a hot Christmas day in the South African summer, slim slice of this chilled tart in hand – perfect, right?

Recipes & Sides That Go Well With Peppermint Crisp Tart

• Malva pudding: A sweet, spongy, apricot jam pudding of Cape Dutch origin that pairs well with the crisp tart.
• Koeksisters: A classic South African pastry – syrup-coated and braided, it adds a different texture.
• Melktert: Another beloved dessert, it offers a lighter, more subtle flavour that complements the tart.
• Vanilla ice cream: Always a hit with any dessert, and adds an extra cooling element to the tart.

Ingredient Alternatives for Peppermint Crisp Tart

• Any crisp chocolate bar can be used in place of Peppermint Crisp, consider Crunchie or 5 Star for alternatives.
• Ginger biscuits or Graham crackers could substitute Tennis biscuits.
• Whipping cream can be used instead of fresh cream.

Troubleshooting (Common Problems)

• The tart is too runny: Likely, it hasn’t been chilled long enough; try refrigerating for a few more hours.
• Biscuits remain hard: The caramel and cream mixture needs more time to soak into the biscuits – again, give it time.
• Peppermint crisp isn’t evenly distributed: Make sure to grate it finely and spread it evenly between layers.

Peppermint Crisp Tart Alternatives and Similar Recipes

• Milk Tart: A classic South African dessert, with a sweet pastry crust and a creamy custard filling.
• Caramel Fridge Tart: A chilled dessert, similar to the Peppermint Crisp Tart but without the chocolate mint element.
• Chocolate Eclair Tart: A no-bake tart with layers of biscuits, whipped cream and a rich chocolate topping.
• Jam Tart: A jam tart is another South African classic that can be found in most cuisines worldwide. Try it out for a fruitier alternative.