Peppermint Crisp tart
A beloved South African dessert of which the origins can be traced back to the 1970s. The dessert quickly gained popularity for its unique combination of flavours and textures.
The Peppermint Crisp tart consists of layers of crunchy biscuits, whipped cream mixed with caramelised condensed milk and Peppermint crisp, and a generous sprinkling of grated Peppermint Crisp chocolate on top.
The dessert is a staple at family gatherings, braais (barbecues), and special occasions across South Africa.
Over the years, the Peppermint Crisp tart has become an iconic dessert in South African cuisine, with many variations and adaptations to suit different tastes. It has also gained a cult following among locals and visitors alike, who appreciate its refreshing taste and nostalgic appeal. Today, the Peppermint Crisp tart continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many South Africans, serving as a reminder of shared memories and traditions. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of South African cooks and the love for this sweet and indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
- 500 ml whipping cream (Schlagsahne)
- 2 packets of Tennis biscuits
- A tin (around 375 g) of caramelised condensed milk
- 150g Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars
- 3-4 drops of peppermint essence if you like
Method
- Remove the chocolate bars from their wrappers and place them into a plastic bag.
- Using a rolling pin or similar, crush up the chocolates in the bag. – See notes on substitutes, it might be better to grate your substitute.
- Place the caramel in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
- In another bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks.
- Add the peppermint essence to the caramelised condensed milk
- Fold in the cream
- Add 100g of the Peppermint Crisp and mix it well
- Place a layer of tennis biscuits in a buttered dish ( 30 x 20 x 5 cm). Make sure you cover the bottom of the whole dish.
- Spoon ⅓ of the caramel mix over the biscuits and spread evenly.
- Continue in layers, finishing with a layer of caramel mix on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Decorate by sprinkling the remainder of the peppermint crisp on top.
Ingredient substitutes
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Peppermint crisp
Peppermint Crisp is made by Nestle, and is a chocolate bar bar filled with a multitude of thin cylinders of mint-flavoured ‘cracknel’ (which is a brittle crystalline/sugar concoction extruded in fine hollow tubes). In south Africa you get them in 49 grams and 150 grams. Marabou Mint Krokant, Aero mint or any mint flavoured chocolate can be used as a substitute. Online shops selling South African products normally stock Peppermint Crisp. Another option is to add 5 – 10 ml peppermint or spearmint extract to the mixture, together with a Cadbury flake type of chocolate. Depending on the substitute you use, either crush or roughly grate the chocolate
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Tennis biscuits
Tennis biscuits are thin square coconut tea biscuits, the best alternative in Germany is Leibniz Butterkekse, although it does not contain coconut. You can add some coconut to Butterkekse if you like. Another option is to buy Kokos/Cocos Taler which are a type of shortbread cookie, often containing coconut
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Caramel TreatCaramelised Condensed Milk can be found in most major shops, look in the dairy or international sections. Make sure it contains sugar (gezukert) for example “Karamell Kondesnmilch erzeugnis gezuckert
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Orley Whip
Some recipes call for Orley Whip, you can easily substitute it with another non-dairy cream, or with normal whipping or even double cream. Go for at least 30% fat.
Resources on the web
Related content

South African Recipes
We’d love to taste the flavours of home through your kitchen! If you have a family-favourite milk tart, a secret twist on chakalaka, or your own take on rooibos iced tea, we want to hear from you. Share your best South African recipes with us and help build a collection that brings a little bit of lekker to all of us living abroad — one delicious dish at a time. 🍽️🇿🇦 Click here to submit your recipe Seasonal recipes Resources on the web Ina Paarman Pinterest – on the Braai Jan Braai Watertand resepte vir oud en jonk Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow Boerekos Related pages

Substitutes – Other Products
Here is a list of substitutes and translations for general food and kitchen items like cling film, maize meal, custard and biscuits Related content Where to buy South African products

Dairy substitutes
Dairy substitutes From Schlagsahne to Quark, here’s a handy list of German dairy products, translations, and the best substitutes when your recipe calls for something hard to find. Types of Cream and special milk Product German Equivalent / Local Options Substitute Ideas & Notes Buttermilk Buttermilch For 1 cup buttermilk: add 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill with milk to make 1 cup. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes. Other options: 1 cup plain yogurt or 1¾ tsp cream of tartar + 1 cup milk. Double Cream (48% fat) Doppelrahm, Double Crème, Crème Double, Crème de Gruyère Thick, rich cream for desserts or sauces. Not common in Germany. For cooking: use Kochsahne (15–20% fat). For desserts: use Mascarpone. For soups or sauces: use Crème fraîche. When baking: substitute with Schlagsahne (whipping cream) — for extra richness, add 1 tsp melted butter per 100 ml cream. For dense cakes, Crème fraîche also works beautifully. Single Cream (18% fat) Kaffeesahne (10–15% fat) or thinned Schlagsahne Lighter cream for pouring over desserts or adding mild creaminess to dishes. Whipping Cream Schlagsahne (30–33% fat) Standard cream used in most recipes and for whipping. Sold plain or sweetened. Use as a direct substitute for double cream in baking, desserts, and sauces. For whipped toppings, combine with Mascarpone for a richer, more stable texture. Cooking Cream Kochsahne (10–20% fat) Lower-fat cream formulated for cooking. Won’t curdle when heated, but not suitable for whipping. Ideal for pasta sauces, soups, and casseroles. Soured Cream (20% fat) Saure Sahne Fermented with lactic acid bacteria for a tangy flavour. Use in dips, dressings, or baking. Crème Fraîche (30% fat) Crème fraîche Milder and richer than soured cream. Excellent for sauces and soups — won’t curdle when heated. Clotted Cream (55% fat) Not commonly sold in Germany Mix equal parts Mascarpone and Crème fraîche for a rich, spreadable substitute. Perfect with scones or desserts. Soft cheese Soft Cheese German Equivalent / Common Brand Names Description & Substitutes Cottage Cheese Hüttenkäse Mild, lumpy cheese made from curds. Often eaten with fruit, vegetables, or on bread. The smooth variant is available in Germany but hard to find. Substitute: Ricotta or a mix of Quark + a little milk for a smoother version. Ricotta Ricotta (sold under Italian brands in most supermarkets) Smooth, slightly grainy cheese made from whey. Used in pasta dishes, desserts, and baking. Substitute: Quark (Magerstufe) for savoury dishes or Mascarpone for sweet ones. Quark Quark (available as Magerstufe, Halbfett, or Sahnequark) A German staple — creamy, tangy fresh cheese somewhere between yogurt and cream cheese. Used in baking (*Käsekuchen*), dips, or eaten with fruit. Substitute: Greek yogurt or Fromage blanc. Cream Cheese Frischkäse (brands: Philadelphia, Buko, Exquisa) Soft, spreadable cheese used in cheesecakes, dips, and spreads. Sold plain or flavoured with herbs. Substitute: Mascarpone (for desserts) or Quark + butter for a lighter spread. Mascarpone Mascarpone (Italian import, widely available) Rich, thick cream cheese made from cream rather than milk. Perfect for desserts like tiramisu or to enrich sauces. Substitute: Crème fraîche or thick Greek yogurt + cream. Skyr Skyr (Icelandic-style dairy, available from brands like Arla or Ehrmann) Thick, high-protein dairy product similar to strained yogurt or low-fat Quark. Substitute: Low-fat Quark or Greek yogurt. Fromage Blanc Often sold as Quark in Germany Smooth, fresh cheese similar to Quark but slightly creamier and less tangy. Substitute: Quark or Greek yogurt. Info on the web Want to dig a little deeper? Rewe’s handy guide explains what Sauermilch is, how to use it and when to choose substitutes — read more on their site. Related content

















































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