Cooking Thursday

We had a ladies Christmas party at church last Saturday and I was asked to bring a dessert.  I made this chocolate peppermint dessert that looked festive and was perfect for a Christmas party.  It's very pretty when cut because you can see the layers and it was tasty and refreshing!

Chocolate and Peppermint Cream Delight

36 oreo cookies, crushed (with frosting)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint bits, divided
2 - 5.9 ounce boxes of instant chocolate pudding mix
4 cups milk
16 ounces Cool Whip, divided

Stir together the crushed oreo's and melted butter.  Press into a 9x13 pan. Place in refrigerator while you prepare the next layer.
Mix together the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Then stir in the peppermint extract and half of the Cool Whip. Spread over the oreo crust.
Sprinkle half of the peppermint bits over the cream cheese layer and place in refrigerator while you prepare the next layer.
Stir together the chocolate pudding mix with the milk until there are no lumps.  Pour over the crushed peppermints.
Allow pudding to thicken, then spread remaining Cool Whip over top.
Place in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight before serving.  Immediately before serving, sprinkle the remaining peppermint bits over the top.