A Classic Holiday Dessert with a Make-Ahead Twist
If you love Christmas desserts that feel nostalgic, elegant, and effortless all at once, Frozen Brandy Alexander Pie is a recipe worth adding to your seasonal menu. This retro-inspired dessert takes the beloved Brandy Alexander cocktail and transforms it into a silky, frozen mousse pie layered in a crisp chocolate cookie crust. It is creamy, light, festive, and packed with warm holiday flavor without feeling heavy after a big meal.
Perfect for Christmas gatherings, holiday parties, or anytime you want a make-ahead dessert that looks impressive with minimal effort, this pie is a true holiday classic. Its combination of brandy, crème de cacao, and whipped filling gives it a sophisticated flavor that appeals to both cocktail lovers and dessert enthusiasts. Whether you are planning a cozy family dinner or a festive celebration, this dessert fits beautifully into any Christmas menu.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to make this holiday dessert shine: a step-by-step recipe, ingredient substitutions, tips to achieve the perfect texture, make-ahead instructions, storing and freezing guidelines, and Pinterest-friendly content to help boost traffic to your food blog.
Why You Will Love This Dessert
Frozen Brandy Alexander Pie is everything a Christmas dessert should be.
Here is what makes it stand out:
- A true make-ahead dream: You can prepare it days in advance and keep it frozen until serving.
- Rich yet airy: Unlike heavy custard pies, this filling is light and mousse-like with a smooth, frozen finish.
- Retro holiday charm: This dessert was popular in mid-century cookbooks and continues to make a comeback for holiday entertainers.
- A unique twist on a classic cookie crust: Chocolate wafer crumbs pair beautifully with the brandy and crème de cacao.
- Ideal for holiday parties: Slice it ahead of time or serve whole. It stays firm and elegant on dessert tables.
Ingredients Needed
For the crust:
- Chocolate wafer cookies, crushed
- Granulated sugar
- Melted butter
For the filling:
- Heavy cream
- Marshmallows
- Brandy
- Crème de cacao
- Vanilla extract
- Ground nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended)
The combination of spirits gives this pie its signature flavor. If you prefer a lighter taste, you can reduce the alcohol slightly while maintaining the overall structure of the dessert.
The Best Frozen Brandy Alexander Pie
Equipment
- mixing bowl for crust mixture
- saucepan for dissolving gelatin
- blender for blending ice cream and liqueurs
- 9-inch springform pan for assembling pie
- spatula for smoothing filling
- freezer for setting the dessert
- knife warmed for slicing
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 6 to 8 tablespoons brandy
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 2 quarts good-quality vanilla ice cream, softened
- 6 to 8 tablespoons crème de cacao
- ground or freshly grated nutmeg, for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix with your hands until combined. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form the crust. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over the brandy and let sit 5–7 minutes to bloom. Heat gently over low heat, stirring until gelatin is dissolved. Do not boil. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a blender, combine softened ice cream, the brandy-gelatin mixture, and crème de cacao. Blend until smooth. You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size.
- Pour the blended filling into the prepared crust. Smooth the top with a spatula, cover with foil, and freeze overnight (at least 12 hours).
- When ready to serve, remove the springform ring and sprinkle the top with ground nutmeg. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
Serving Tip: Let sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing—the alcohol keeps it from freezing solid. Use a warm knife for clean cuts.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free crust.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the crust
Combine the crushed chocolate wafer crumbs with sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into a pie dish to form an even base and sides. Freeze while preparing the filling. - Create the marshmallow base
In a saucepan, melt marshmallows with a small portion of heavy cream. Remove from heat and cool completely. This step is essential because the marshmallow mixture thickens as it cools and helps stabilize the mousse. - Whip the cream
Beat the remaining heavy cream until soft peaks form. This creates the light, airy texture that makes the filling so velvety when frozen. - Combine the flavors
Add brandy, crème de cacao, and vanilla to the cooled marshmallow mixture. Fold in the whipped cream gently, taking care not to deflate it. - Assemble
Pour the filling into the frozen crust. Smooth the top, then freeze until solid, typically at least six hours or overnight. - Serve
Dust with grated nutmeg or chocolate shavings before slicing. For cleaner slices, run your knife under warm water between cuts.
Recipe Tips for the Best Frozen Brandy Alexander Pie
- Cool the marshmallow mixture completely before folding in the whipped cream. Warm filling will melt the cream and ruin the texture.
- Use good-quality chocolate cookies for the crust for the best flavor contrast.
- For a firmer texture, freeze overnight. This allows the flavors to develop fully.
- For a richer flavor, use dark crème de cacao, but either variety works well.
- If preparing well in advance, wrap tightly in plastic and store in an airtight container to prevent freezer aroma absorption.
Ingredient Variations
- Non-alcoholic version: Replace the brandy and crème de cacao with milk plus a teaspoon of chocolate extract.
- Gingersnap crust: Swap chocolate wafers for gingersnap crumbs for an extra holiday flavor.
- Topping variations: Add whipped cream swirls, crushed chocolate, toasted nutmeg, or edible gold dust for a festival-ready presentation.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead:
This pie is perfect for preparing two to three days before serving. Just keep it tightly wrapped in the freezer.
Freezer Storage:
Frozen Brandy Alexander Pie keeps well for up to one month. After that, it may begin to lose some creaminess due to ice crystal formation.
Serving from Frozen:
Allow the pie to sit on the counter for 10 minutes for easier slicing.