This Christmas Lasagna Dessert is a cheerful twist on a classic favorite. It’s creamy, sweet, and has a delightful crunch from the peppermint candies. Perfect for festive gatherings, it brings a fun and playful vibe to your holiday table. Plus, it’s simple to make, so it’s great for all skill levels.
Why This Christmas Lasagna Dessert Is Great
You will love this dessert for its easy preparation and delicious layers. It combines familiar flavors and makes them exciting. Families can enjoy it together, and kids will love the vibrant colors and sweet taste. Best of all, it uses everyday ingredients that you can easily find. You won’t need advanced skills to whip this up, making it a perfect addition to any holiday spread.
How to Make Christmas Lasagna Dessert
Making this festive treat is straightforward. You’ll start by making a base with red velvet cake, then layer it with a creamy peppermint filling and a rich vanilla pudding topping. After chilling, you’ll have a beautiful multi-layer dessert that’s ready to impress!
What You Need
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 2 3/4 cups milk, divided
- 16 oz whipped topping, divided
- 2 boxes (5.1 oz each) vanilla instant pudding
- green gel food coloring
- holiday-colored sprinkles
Step-by-Step
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
- Mix red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and egg until combined.
- Spread into the pan and bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Add 1/4 cup milk and mix.
- Fold in 8 oz of whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies.
- Spread this mixture over the cooled cake base and chill for 30 minutes.
- Whisk remaining 2 1/2 cups milk with the pudding mixes.
- Add green gel coloring until desired shade is achieved.
- Spread the pudding over the cream cheese layer. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Top with remaining whipped topping and festive sprinkles. Slice and serve chilled.
How to Serve Christmas Lasagna Dessert
This dessert is perfect for holiday gatherings and can be served as a sweet finish to family meals. Pair it with a hot drink like cocoa or coffee for a cozy experience. It’s also great for potlucks or parties, offering a fun visual presentation that will draw everyone in.
How to Store Christmas Lasagna Dessert
To keep leftovers fresh, cover the dessert tightly and store it in the refrigerator. It can last for up to three days. If you want to store it longer, consider freezing it before adding the whipped topping and sprinkles. When you’re ready to serve, move it to the fridge to thaw overnight.
Recipe Tips
- Bake the cake layer first and allow it to cool completely for the best texture.
- Be gentle when folding in whipped topping to keep it fluffy.
- If you want a stronger peppermint flavor, add a bit of peppermint extract to the cream cheese layer.
- Use different colors of gel food coloring to match your holiday theme.
- Avoid overmixing the pudding to keep it light and creamy.
Variations & Swaps
- Swap out red velvet cake mix for chocolate or vanilla for a different flavor base.
- Use dairy-free cream cheese and alternatives to make it vegan.
- If peppermint isn’t your favorite, try crushed Oreos or snickerdoodle cookie crumbs.
- For a touch of citrus, add some lemon zest to the cream cheese layer.
- Experiment with different sprinkles for a festive look any time of the year.
FAQs
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this dessert a day in advance. Just follow the recipe and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. This also helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Can I freeze leftover Christmas Lasagna Dessert?
You can freeze the layers without the toppings. It’s best to wrap it well. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours before serving and then add the whipped topping.
What’s the best way to reheat this dessert?
This dessert is served cold, so there’s no need to reheating. Just take it out of the fridge about 10 to 15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you can use a vegan cream cheese alternative. Whipped coconut cream is also a nice, lighter option.
How can I avoid common mistakes while making it?
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps. Be patient while layering and chilling; each layer needs to set for the best results.
Christmas Lasagna Dessert
Ingredients
Cake Base
- 1 box red velvet cake mix Use a box mix for convenience.
- ½ cup melted butter Butter must be melted before mixing.
- 1 large egg Large egg recommended for binding.
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened Make sure it’s softened to avoid lumps.
- ½ cup confectioners sugar Sift for a smoother mixture.
- ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies For a crunchy texture and flavor.
- 2¾ cups milk, divided Used for both cream cheese and pudding layers.
- 8 oz whipped topping, divided Reserve half for topping.
Pudding Layer
- 2 boxes vanilla instant pudding (5.1 oz each) Provides the creamy pudding layer.
- green gel food coloring To achieve desired shade for the pudding.
- holiday-colored sprinkles For festive decoration.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
- Mix red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and egg until combined.
- Spread into the pan and bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Add 1/4 cup milk and mix.
- Fold in 8 oz of whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies.
- Spread this mixture over the cooled cake base and chill for 30 minutes.
Pudding Layer
- Whisk remaining 2 1/2 cups milk with the pudding mixes.
- Add green gel coloring until desired shade is achieved.
- Spread the pudding over the cream cheese layer. Chill for at least 2 hours.
Assembly
- Top with remaining whipped topping and festive sprinkles.
- Slice and serve chilled.
