Peppermint Cloud

Peppermint cloud is the kind of retro dessert that surprises everyone with how good it is. Cooked rice, marshmallows, milk, and crushed peppermint candy get stirred together on the stove until thick and creamy, then folded with whipped cream and poured into a chocolate crumb crust. After a few hours in the fridge, you’ve got a light, mousse-like pie with a cool peppermint flavor and a warm fudge drizzle on top.

Rice in a dessert might raise an eyebrow, but it works the same way as rice pudding. The starch from the cooked rice thickens the filling and gives it body, while the grains themselves become soft and nearly invisible in the final texture. You’re tasting peppermint and marshmallow, not rice.

Melting the marshmallows with milk and crushed candy over medium heat creates the flavor base. The candy dissolves into the hot liquid, turning everything a pale pink and infusing the mixture with that clean, cool peppermint hit. Stirring constantly for 6 to 8 minutes prevents scorching and ensures a smooth, thick custard-like consistency.

Folding in whipped cream after the mixture cools is what gives this pie its “cloud” texture. Light, airy, and billowy in every bite.

The chocolate crust and warm fudge sauce drizzle are the finishing touches. Peppermint and chocolate is a pairing that never gets old.

Kitchen Tips

• Cool the rice-marshmallow mixture completely before folding in the whipped cream. Warm mixture melts the whipped cream and you lose all that airy lightness
• Crush the peppermint candy in a sealed bag with a rolling pin. You want small pieces that dissolve during cooking, not large chunks
• Chill for at least 3 hours. The filling needs time to set firm enough to slice cleanly
• Warm the fudge sauce just before serving and drizzle it at the table for the best presentation

Variations

• Use a graham cracker crust instead of chocolate for a milder base
• Add a few drops of red food coloring for a more festive pink filling
• Swap peppermint candy for crushed Andes mints for a richer, more chocolatey mint flavor