South African Holiday Dessert Recipe
From our kitchen to yours, a traditional South African no-bake dessert for holiday celebrations.
The festive season in Africa is not that different than how it is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere apart from the weather. Like many places around the world, the holidays are a cherished season that comes with lots of gathering, feasting, and celebrating with loved ones which often includes worship, song, dance, and giving or serving others.
The enjoyable summer weather adds to the fun and fare of this season’s festivities. Most families choose to enjoy braai, a popular South African barbeque, outdoors in their gardens or verandas. To complete the feast a chilled fridge tart or Malva pudding would be served.
The star ingredient in this sweet treat is Peppermint Crisp chocolate bar, a candy that can found in South African stores or online, but you may substitute with Cadbury’s Mint Crisp if unable to locate locally.
PEPPERMINT CRISP FRIDGE TART
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
- 250ml Cool Whip or whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks (whipping cream makes it richer)
- 2 packets of flat coconut cookies or graham crackers (will likely use less) - graham crackers make it less sweet (in South Africa they use Tennis Biscuits)
- 375g of caramelized condensed milk or dulce du leche
- 20ml caster/superfine/granulated sugar
- 3 Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars, crushed
- For more flavor, add in 3-4 drops of peppermint essence (more, if you like it minty)
Instructions
- Whip the Cool Whip and then add the caramelized condensed milk, sugar, and peppermint essence (optional).
- Beat until well mixed and then stir in ⅔ of the crushed Peppermint Crisp.
- Place a layer of whole cookies in a buttered 2-quart baking dish.
- Spoon ⅓ of the caramel mix over the cookies and spread evenly.
- Continue in layers, finishing with a layer of filling on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Decorate by sprinkling the remainder of crushed peppermint crisp on top.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Hungry for more?
Enjoy South Africa's spectacular wine country or indulge in the vibrant food scene with local gourmet offerings.