Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe
Alright, if you’re anything like me, the holiday season is the perfect excuse to whip up something a little extra special and indulgent — and this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe fits the bill beautifully. Imagine layers of velvety peppermint pudding, fluffy cheesecake, and a buttery vanilla wafer crust all stacked together in one festive, crowd-pleasing dessert. This isn’t just any dessert; it’s that show-stopper you’ll want to bring to Christmas parties or family dinners, and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds.
I’ve been making this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe every year for as long as I can remember, and what I love is how fun and surprising it is. The red and green colors pop so nicely against the creamy layers, and the cool peppermint vibe adds just the right touch of holiday magic. Plus, this no-bake wonder comes together without a fuss, which is a lifesaver when your oven is already working overtime for the main meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe plays its part in creating those delightfully festive textures and flavors. When shopping, grab the freshest cream cheese and whipped topping you can find—the better the quality, the more luscious the end result.
- Vanilla wafers: These form the buttery crust—don’t substitute here since their sweetness and texture are key.
- Salted butter: Melted to bind the crust together perfectly. I like real butter over margarine for flavor.
- Red food coloring gel: Just a small scoop for a vibrant and even red crust without extra liquid.
- Cream cheese: Softened, it blends into the cheesecake layer creating that creamy base.
- Granulated white sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the tangy cream cheese.
- Sour cream: Makes the cheesecake layer extra smooth and slightly tangy.
- Whipped topping: Used twice—for the cheesecake mix and the topping layer—to keep things light and fluffy.
- Heavy cream: Essential in the peppermint pudding for richness and stability.
- Peppermint extract: This is the star flavor of the pudding—don’t skip it if you love that minty holiday vibe!
- Cheesecake instant pudding mix: Adds body and cheesecake flavor to the green peppermint pudding layer.
- Green liquid food coloring: Just enough to achieve that perfect Christmas green color.
- Mini marshmallows: For topping, adding a sugary chew and festive look.
- Christmas candies, sprinkles, or red & green M&Ms: Totally optional but I highly recommend them to finish off this dessert with a little sparkle.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe is that it’s incredibly flexible—you can tweak it to match your family’s tastes or dietary needs without losing the festive charm. Personalizing a recipe like this makes it feel truly yours.
- Variation: I once swapped the peppermint extract for orange extract to create a Christmassy creamsicle twist, and it was a hit! It brightened the dessert without losing that holiday feel.
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream whipped topping and vegan cream cheese alternatives to keep it creamy but suitable for dietary restrictions.
- Alcohol-aged flavor: Adding a splash of peppermint schnapps or a coffee liqueur to the pudding layer can add an adult-only kick—just be sure to let your guests know!
- Extra texture: Toss some crushed candy canes between layers for crunch and that unmistakable peppermint punch.
How to Make Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe
Step 1: Create the Festive Red Crust
Start by finely crushing your vanilla wafers—either blitz them in a food processor or toss them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. You want a sandy texture, not powdery. Mix the crumbs with melted salted butter and a small scoop of red food coloring gel until you get a vibrant red dough-like mix. Press this firmly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish to form your crust. Tip: Press it down with a flat-bottomed glass to get a compact layer that won’t crumble when you slice into it later.
Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy White Cheesecake Layer
Beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add sour cream and fold in two cups of whipped topping gently, so it stays fluffy. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled red crust layer—keep it smooth as this will show through the green pudding layer for that classic lasagna look.
Step 3: Mix the Green Peppermint Pudding
In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then stir in the peppermint extract and the cheesecake instant pudding mix. Add green food coloring drop by drop until you hit a festive, vibrant green you love. Spread this luscious pudding mixture carefully over your white cheesecake layer, smoothing out to the edges.
Step 4: Add the Final Topping
Top it all off with an 8-ounce tub of whipped topping, spreading it thick and even. Sprinkle mini marshmallows and, if you want, throw on some festive Christmas candies or red and green M&Ms to really make it pop visually and add some variety in texture.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Cover your masterpiece with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best to let the layers set fully and the flavors blend. When you’re ready to impress, cut into squares and watch everyone’s eyes light up.
How to Serve Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this dessert with a few fun garnishes. I usually go for extra mini marshmallows or a handful of crushed candy canes for crunch and color. Red and green M&Ms or holiday-themed sprinkles add a playful touch and make it look party-ready—plus, they’re easy to grab for kids and adults alike.
Side Dishes
Even though this dessert can stand on its own, I sometimes serve it alongside a light fruit salad with oranges and pomegranate seeds to balance the richness. A warm cup of peppermint tea on the side makes for a perfect festive pairing, especially on chilly evenings.
Creative Ways to Present
If I’m hosting a holiday gathering, I like to prepare this dessert in clear glass trifle bowls, so the colorful layers show beautifully through the sides. Another fun idea is to serve it in individual mason jars for a cute, portable treat. Either way, the vibrant red and green layers always get oohs and aahs!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge, where this dessert holds up beautifully for 3-4 days. The layers stay distinct and delicious, and it actually tastes even better after a day or two when the flavors mingle more.
Freezing
Freezing Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe is a bit tricky because of all the creamy layers, but I’ve had good success freezing individual portions in airtight containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving—it won’t be quite as fluffy as fresh but still delicious and festive.
Reheating
This dessert is best served cold, so reheating isn’t really needed. If you prefer it less chilled, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the layers slightly without melting anything.
FAQs
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Can I make the Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap out the cream cheese for a vegan version, and use coconut whipped topping or another dairy-free whipped product. For heavy cream, try full-fat coconut cream whipped until stiff. The texture will be slightly different but still very tasty.
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How far ahead can I make this dessert?
You can prepare this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. That’s actually great because the flavors meld and intensify, making it even better on day two!
- What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
If you’re out of peppermint extract, you could substitute vanilla or almond extract for a different but still delicious flavor. Or, add crushed candy canes on top to get the peppermint flavor from the garnish.
- Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
Yes! Freshly whipped cream works wonderfully if you prefer to avoid store-bought toppings. Just make sure it’s whipped to soft peaks so it blends nicely without deflating your layers.
- Is this dessert suitable for kids?
Definitely! The sweet layers, soft textures, and colorful look appeal to kids. Just be careful to adjust the peppermint extract quantity if you have little ones, as too much mint can be a bit strong.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe has become one of those holiday staples I can’t imagine celebrating without. It’s festive, fun, and surprisingly simple to pull together—even when you’re juggling a million other Christmas tasks. Whether you’re sharing it with family or bringing it to a party, it always feels like a little celebration in every bite. I hope you enjoy making and savoring it as much as I do—and please, don’t be shy about adding your own twist!
Print
Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Lasagna dessert features a vibrant red vanilla wafer crust, a creamy white cheesecake layer, and a refreshing green peppermint pudding layer, all topped with fluffy whipped topping and holiday-themed candies for a perfect holiday treat.
Ingredients
Red Crust
- 22 ounces (2 11-ounce boxes) vanilla wafers
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, melted
- Red food coloring gel, small scoop
White Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups whipped topping
Green Peppermint Pudding Layer
- 4 cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 6.8 ounces (2 3.4-ounce boxes) cheesecake instant pudding mix
- Green liquid food coloring, to desired shade
Topping
- 8 ounces tub whipped topping
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- Christmas candies, sprinkles, or red & green M&Ms (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Red Crust: Crush the vanilla wafers finely and mix with the melted salted butter. Add a small scoop of red food coloring gel until the mixture has a bright red color. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish to form the crust.
- Make the White Cheesecake Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Stir in the sour cream, then fold in the whipped topping gently until combined. Spread this cheesecake mixture evenly over the red crust layer.
- Prepare the Green Peppermint Pudding: In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add peppermint extract and green food coloring to desired shade. In a separate bowl, prepare the cheesecake instant pudding mix as per package instructions but using the whipped cream mixture instead of milk to make it richer and fluffier. Fold everything gently until smooth.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread the green peppermint pudding mixture evenly over the white cheesecake layer creating the third dessert layer.
- Add the Topping: Top the dessert with an even layer of whipped topping from the tub, then sprinkle mini marshmallows over the top. Optionally garnish with Christmas candies, festive sprinkles, or red and green M&Ms for a colorful holiday presentation.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled Christmas lasagna for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese for a smooth cheesecake layer.
- For best color vibrancy, add food coloring gradually and mix well.
- This dessert is best served chilled and can be made a day ahead.
- Substitute heavy cream with whipping cream if preferred.
- Ensure the vanilla wafers are finely crushed for a uniform crust texture.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Christmas lasagna dessert, holiday dessert, no bake lasagna, peppermint pudding, red velvet crust, creamy cheesecake dessert, festive holiday treat
