Layered Christmas Dessert Lasagna
Looking for a Christmas dessert that is as pretty as it is delicious? This festive dessert lasagna recipe has delicious layers all decorated for the holidays! A delicious red velvet base, with a delicious peppermint cream cheese layer, topped with creamy pudding and tasty whipped topping.
I don’t know about you but when I think of Christmas I think of cookies! They are something everyone loves and are so easy to make and gift. However, when we have a Christmas party or gathering it is nice to have a delicious dessert to serve! While pies are great, why not try something a little more festive this Christmas season?
This delicious dessert is super festive, with red, white and green layers it has all the colors of Christmas topped with fun and festive sprinkles! There are a few variations you can make of this recipe so make sure to check them out so that you can create the perfect dessert for your family and friends! It is always a big hit with everyone!
This Christmas lasagna dessert recipe is great for making ahead of time. Christmas can be a super busy time with a lot to do especially when you’re entertaining. This recipe can be made in advance so that you have plenty of time, and oven space, for other dishes!
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Ingredient Checklist-
Find the exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post
Red velvet cake mix– You can use your favorite brand. You’ll be using this to create a kind of shortbread bottom to this dessert so you can’t swap it out for a “from scratch” recipe.
Butter– You can use salted or unsalted. You’ll be melting it so no need to soften.
Egg– A fresh large egg works best.
Cream Cheese– You’ll need a brick of cream cheese. Soften to room temperature before you get started.
Powdered Sugar- This helps make the filling light and fluffy and just sweet enough!
Candy Canes– If you can’t find candy canes you can use peppermint candies. Just make sure to crush them finely.
Milk– I like to use whole milk but you can use 2% if you’d like. If you want a super creamy middle you can also use heavy cream!
Cool Whip– You’ll be using this in the peppermint cheesecake layer and also on the top. This makes a nice light topping for this dessert, but you can also use whipped cream if you prefer! Make sure to thaw it before getting started!
Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix– You’ll need 2 of the 3.4oz boxes (the 4.5 serving size)
Green Gel Food Coloring– This provides the pretty green color to this dessert. Gel makes for brighter colors
Christmas Sprinkles– Use your favorite festive sprinkles to decorate this fun holiday dessert. You can also use additional crushed candy canes.
Here’s how to make this Christmas dessert lasagna
First preheat your oven to 350 and grease the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl mix together cake mix, melted butter and egg (do NOT follow package directions) the mixture will be similar to cookie dough.
Press the dough into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
While the red velvet layer is cooling it is time to make the white layer. With an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1/4 cup milk, until light and fluffy.
Fold in a container of cool whip and crushed candy canes until well incorporated.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled cookie layer and place the dessert in the refrigerator for about 15 min.
While it is cooling mix the milk and pudding together in a medium bowl until well mixed. Add a couple drops of food coloring and mix. Add more food coloring and mix until desired color is achieved.
Spread the pudding mixture over top of the cream cheese mixture, cover the dessert with plastic wrap, and place the entire dessert in the fridge for at least 4 hours. You’ll add the final layer right before serving.
When ready to serve spread a tub of cool whip across the top of the green pudding layer and sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles and additional crushed candy cones or mini marshmallows.
Variations & Substitutions
Use a Different Pudding – Want to do something different from the usual vanilla flavor? Swap your pudding out for another flavor. White chocolate pudding is a great option and so is cheesecake pudding. You could even use pistachio pudding, if you decide to do that it is best to omit the candy canes and green food coloring.
Add White Chocolate Chips– Want to snazz up the red velvet base layer? Add in some white chocolate chips. They add delicious flavor and a little extra color. Just fold in 1/2 of a cup before pressing into the bottom of the pan.
Add Peppermint Extract– The crushed candy canes add a nice light peppermint flavor to this recipe however if you want to dial it up peppermint extract makes a great addition. Add 1/2 tsp to the cream cheese and powdered sugar for a stronger mint flavor!
Use Whipped Cream Instead of Cool Whip– I know that some people like to avoid cool whip and would rather use whipped cream instead. If you want to make this substitution you’ll want to make a homemade stabilized whipped cream, this holds it’s shape and is thick enough to hold up in this dessert. This is my favorite recipe you’ll want to double it for this recipe.
Layered Christmas Dessert Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 – Box Red Velvet Cake Mix
- 1/2 Cup- Butter melted
- 1- Egg
- 2- Bricks Cream Cheese 8 oz each
- 1/2 Cup – Powdered Sugar
- 1/4 Cup- Crushed Candy Canes
- 2 3/4- Cups Milk divided
- 2- 8 oz Tubs of Cool Whip
- 2 Boxes Vanilla Instant Pudding 3.4 oz size
- Green gel food coloring
- Christmas themed sprinkles and crushed candy canes for topping
Instructions
- 1. First preheat your oven to 350 and grease the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking pan.
- 2. In a large bowl mix together cake mix, melted butter and egg (do NOT follow package directions) the mixture will be similar to cookie dough.
- 3. Press the dough into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
- 4. Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- 5. While the red velvet layer is cooling it is time to make the white layer. With an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1/4 cup milk, until light and fluffy.
- 6. Fold in a container of cool whip and crushed candy canes until well incorporated.
- 7. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled cookie layer and place the dessert in the refrigerator for about 15 min.
- 8. While it is cooling mix the milk and pudding together in a medium bowl until well mixed. Add a couple drops of food coloring and mix. Add more food coloring and mix until desired color is achieved.
- 9. Spread the pudding mixture over top of the cream cheese mixture, cover the dessert with plastic wrap, and place the entire dessert in the fridge for at least 4 hours. You'll add the final layer right before serving.
- 10. When ready to serve spread a tub of cool whip across the top of the green pudding layer and sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles and additional crushed candy cones or mini marshmallows.
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