10 Refreshing Desserts That Start With a Container of Cool Whip
Frozen whipped topping to the rescue!
Cool Whip (otherwise known as frozen whipped topping) is one of those quintessential American products that we can’t seem to live without. It’s like Jell-O or Velveeta or Oreos—can you imagine a grandma-approved recipe without them? And like those other beloved supermarket staples, Cool Whip is so much more than simply a one-trick pony.
While you can easily dollop it on a slice of pie in place of whipped cream, there are endless Cool Whip desserts you can make, too. Just think of all the church potlucks you’ve been to over the years. You’ll surely find at least one that has Cool Whip in it, whether you can actually taste it or not. Take Ree Drummond’s decadent chocolate peanut butter pie filling, for instance. Cool Whip “somehow makes magic happen.”
And she’s right! While you might be tempted to make whipped cream from scratch as a replacement, most of these recipes with Cool Whip won’t work as well. That’s because non-dairy whipped topping is more stable and won’t deflate or spoil as fast as real whipped cream. “So throw in that ‘non-dairy whipped topping’ with pride, baby. Nobody will complain, I promise.” The Pioneer Woman has spoken! Now head over to the freezer section and grab a tub.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
“This six-ingredient pie is pure nostalgia,” says Ree. It’s rich and decadent, so you can serve small slices. Cool Whip is essential for the “smoothest, fluffiest, most delicious texture” that can last for days in the fridge.
Get Ree’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie recipe.
Pig Cake
Here’s another potluck classic from Ree’s archives. You start by adding mandarin oranges to boxed cake mix. Then the frosting is just as fun, featuring vanilla pudding, canned pineapple, powdered sugar, and yes, whipped topping.
Get Ree’s Pig Cake recipe.
4-Ingredient Ice Cream Cake
Four ingredients and 15 minutes of prep is all you need for this frozen dessert. You simply take mint chip ice cream, two types of ice cream sandwiches, and a container of Cool Whip and layer them together.
Get the 4-Ingredient Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Million Dollar Pie
It’s rare when maraschino cherries are the star of the show but they make this retro dessert taste a like a million bucks! It is a no-bake wonder because Cool Whip helps keep the filling stable.
Get Ree’s Million Dollar Pie recipe.
No-Bake Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
You’ll actually find a lot of no-bake desserts on this list because Cool Whip not only helps stabilize mixtures, but helps keep them light and creamy, too. That means even cheesecake is possible.
Get Ree’s No-Bake Raspberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.
3-Ingredient Mini Layer Cakes
Aren’t these adorable? They couldn’t be easier to make! You layer store-bought pound cake, a filling like chocolate-hazelnut spread, lemon curd, or jam, and whipped topping to frost them. You can also use angel food cake.
Get Ree’s 3-Ingredient Mini Layer Cakes recipe.
No-Bake Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
Another no-bake cheesecake thanks to Cool Whip is this cookies and cream delight. There are Oreos in the crust, in the filling, and layered on top for an over-the-top bite.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut butter and jelly are just meant to go together, and whipped topping makes the combo extra fluffy. This fun dessert also features a Ritz cracker crust to add to the salty-sweet factor.
Get Ree’s No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie recipe.
Layered Chocolate Pudding Dessert
With a salted pecan crust and layers of sweetened cream cheese and chocolate pudding, this is a sweet bite everyone will love. The Cool Whip is used both inside the layers and on top.
Chocolate Almond Frozen Mousse
You won’t believe how easy this treat is to make! All you need is a container of Cool Whip, a few tablespoons of coffee, and a chocolate bar with almonds, like a Hershey’s bar. Serve as a soft and fluffy mousse or refreeze it for an ice cream-like texture.
Get Ree’s Chocolate Almond Frozen Mousse recipe.
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