Christmas Lasagna Dessert
Every family has that one treat that marks the beginning of the holiday season, and for us, it’s this Christmas Lasagna Dessert. I whipped up this layered delight last December when Alex joked about wanting lasagna for dessert after our famous Italian feast. Little did he know, I’d take that idea and create something that even Donald, our unwavering traditionalist, couldn’t resist!
Jump to:
Imagine a dessert that’s both fun and foolproof, with luscious layers and a holiday twist. We bring it out for those cozy nights in Manhattan when the city’s aglow and the family's gathered. It’s one of those festive dishes that looks impressive but doesn't demand hours in the kitchen.
Check out our other favorite sweet treats like Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This Christmas Lasagna Dessert quickly becomes the life of any holiday gathering! It's like having a party on your plate with colorful layers and a hint of peppermint, perfect when time isn’t on your side but impression is key. Alex, Sarah, and even their friends dive in with delight, often going back for seconds and thirds. Plus, it's a pre-make wonder—ideal for those busy holiday schedules!
Ingredients
- 1 box Red Velvet Cake mix
- ½ cup butter
- 1 large egg
- 16 ounces Cream Cheese
- ½ cup confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies
- 2 ¾ cups milk
- 16 ounces Whipped topping, like Cool Whip
- 2 boxes Vanilla Instant Pudding (5.1 ounce boxes)
- Green gel food coloring
- Holiday colored sprinkles
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9 baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Blend with an electric mixer until it’s well mixed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and let it cool completely (about 30 minutes).
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar together. Add ¼ cup of milk and mix well.
- Fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies, then spread evenly over the cooled cake layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a new large bowl, mix the remaining 2 ½ cups of milk with the pudding mixes. Add green food coloring to the desired shade.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until it sets.
- Before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer and finish with a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles.
Recipe tips & variations
- To get those layers neat and clean, be sure to chill each layer until firm before adding the next.
- Swap out peppermint candies for crushed candy canes or even skip it altogether for a milder taste.
- For a fun twist, try adding a drop of peppermint extract to the pudding layer for an extra burst of flavor.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead and stays just as delicious once chilled!
Storage & reheating
Store leftovers in the fridge tightly covered for up to 5 days. If you're planning to make it earlier, just hold off on the final layer of whipped topping until you're about ready to serve—it helps keep everything fresh and picture-perfect.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Lasagna ahead of time for a holiday gathering?
Absolutely! It loves an overnight stay in the fridge, allowing flavors to meld perfectly.
How do I keep the layers of Christmas Lasagna from mixing together?
Chill each layer until firm before adding the next. That way, they stay perfectly separated.
Can I leave out the peppermint candies or use a different flavor?
Yes, you can! Feel free to omit the peppermint or replace it with something like vanilla extract for a change of pace.
How long does Christmas Lasagna last in the refrigerator?
It'll keep nicely for about 5 days—if it lasts that long without being devoured!
Recipes you may like
Check out more of our dessert favorites to add some sweetness to your festivities:
- Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Creamy Mango Banana Smoothie for a Fresh Morning Boost
- Pineapple Green Smoothie for a refreshing treat!
Christmas Lasagna Dessert
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and fun layered dessert that's perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring red velvet, cream cheese, and peppermint.
Ingredients
- 1 box Red Velvet Cake mix
- ½ cup butter
- 1 large egg
- 16 ounces Cream Cheese
- ½ cup confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies
- 2 ¾ cups milk
- 16 ounces Whipped topping, like Cool Whip
- 2 boxes Vanilla Instant Pudding (5.1 ounce boxes)
- Green gel food coloring
- Holiday colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9 baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Blend with an electric mixer until it’s well mixed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and let it cool completely (about 30 minutes).
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar together. Add ¼ cup of milk and mix well.
- Fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies, then spread evenly over the cooled cake layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a new large bowl, mix the remaining 2 ½ cups of milk with the pudding mixes. Add green food coloring to the desired shade.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until it sets.
- Before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer and finish with a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles.
Notes
- To get those layers neat and clean, be sure to chill each layer until firm before adding the next.
- Swap out peppermint candies for crushed candy canes or even skip it altogether for a milder taste.
- For a fun twist, try adding a drop of peppermint extract to the pudding layer for an extra burst of flavor.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead and stays just as delicious once chilled!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
