The Ultimate Christmas Dessert Lasagna: Easy, Festive & Layered Perfection

Prepare to dazzle your taste buds and impress your holiday guests with our **Christmas Dessert Lasagna**, a show-stopping treat featuring four luscious layers of festive flavor and creamy texture. This easy-to-follow recipe is designed to bring an amazing, picture-perfect Christmas dessert to your holiday table without the stress, making it an ideal choice for the bustling holiday season.

This holiday dessert is not only a feast for the palate but also a visual delight. Its bright and festive red and green layers make it a truly spectacular recipe. Once cut, each distinct layer is beautifully visible, creating an inviting presentation that screams “holiday cheer!” Every single bite offers a rich, creamy, and utterly delicious experience, combining classic Christmas flavors with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Dessert lasagnas are incredibly fun and satisfying to create, and they’ve been a personal favorite of mine for many years. Their layered nature allows for endless creativity and a wonderful blend of flavors in every forkful. Beyond this delightful Christmas version, I also love crafting other variations like our popular Chocolate Lasagna Recipe and the rich, indulgent Peanut Butter Lasagna, each bringing its unique charm to the dessert spread.

What is Christmas Lasagna?

Christmas Lasagna is a delightful, no-bake (except for the crust!) layered dessert specifically designed to capture the festive spirit of the holidays. Unlike its savory namesake, this lasagna is a sweet symphony of textures and flavors. It typically features a vibrant red velvet cake mix crust, a creamy, refreshing peppermint cream cheese layer for the white, a playful green instant pudding layer, and a fluffy whipped topping, all adorned with festive sprinkles and candies. Each layer contributes to a harmonious dessert experience – the rich, slightly chewy crust provides a perfect base, the cheesecake layer adds a tangy, minty coolness, the pudding brings a smooth, sweet element, and the whipped cream topping ties it all together with a light, airy finish.

This dessert is an absolute burst of festive flair, perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or a special family treat. Its distinct red, white, and green layers not only look incredible but also offer a unique combination of flavors that are synonymous with Christmas. It’s an easy-to-prepare alternative to traditional holiday pies and cakes, offering a refreshing and visually appealing option. For another fun and creative holiday dessert, consider trying this whimsical Ugly Sweater Cake!

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Lasagna Recipe

• Stunning Visual Appeal: The vibrant red, white, and green layers make this dessert an instant showstopper on any holiday table.
• Irresistibly Delicious: A perfect blend of rich red velvet, creamy peppermint cheesecake, smooth white chocolate pudding, and airy whipped topping creates an unforgettable flavor profile.
• Easy to Make: Despite its impressive appearance, this recipe is surprisingly simple, especially with a convenient cake mix crust and instant pudding layers.
• Perfect for Holidays: The festive colors and peppermint flavor are tailor-made for Christmas celebrations.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: It actually tastes even better when made a day or two in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This also frees up valuable time on the day of your event.
• Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert lasagna is always a hit with both kids and adults, offering something a little different from traditional holiday fare.

Ingredients for Your Festive Lasagna

Crafting this delightful Christmas Dessert Lasagna requires a few key ingredients, most of which are readily available at your local grocery store. We’ll break them down by layer to make your preparation even smoother.

For the Red Velvet Crust:

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: This is our secret weapon for an incredibly easy and vibrant red base. Any brand you love will work perfectly here, providing that classic subtle chocolate and vanilla flavor with a stunning color.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Using unsalted butter gives you full control over the salt content in your dessert. Melting it helps bind the cake mix to form a perfect, pressable crust.
• Large Egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping the crust hold its shape and providing a richer texture once baked.

For the Peppermint Cheesecake Layer:

• Cream Cheese (Full-Fat, Block Style, Softened): Full-fat cream cheese is crucial for achieving a rich, dense, and wonderfully creamy cheesecake layer. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
• Unsalted Butter (Softened): Like the cream cheese, having softened butter ensures a smooth consistency when beaten, contributing to the luscious texture of this layer.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar dissolves easily, creating a silky-smooth and sweet cheesecake mixture without any grittiness.
• Peppermint Extract: This is where the signature holiday flavor comes in! Use a good quality peppermint extract to give this white layer its delightful, refreshing taste.
• Cool Whip: This light and airy whipped topping folds beautifully into the cream cheese mixture, making the cheesecake layer incredibly fluffy and easy to spread. You can also use Homemade Whipped Cream for an even richer taste.

For the Green Pudding Layer:

• White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix (3.8 oz boxes): Instant pudding mixes are a fantastic shortcut for this layered dessert, creating a perfectly thick and creamy layer without any cooking. White chocolate provides a neutral, sweet base for the green coloring.
• Milk: Use cold milk to mix with the instant pudding. Whole milk will result in a richer, thicker pudding, but any type of milk can be used.
• Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is highly concentrated and delivers vibrant, rich colors with just a few drops, which is ideal for achieving that perfect Christmas green without diluting the pudding mixture.

For the Final Topping:

• Whipped Cream: A generous layer of whipped cream forms the cloud-like top of our lasagna, providing a light contrast to the dense layers below.
• Mini Marshmallows: The mini size is absolutely perfect for sprinkling over the top, adding a soft, sweet, and slightly chewy element that everyone loves.
• Christmas Sprinkles: Choose your favorite festive blend of red, green, and white sprinkles to add a sparkling, celebratory touch.
• Red and Green M&Ms: These colorful candies add a delightful crunch and an extra pop of vibrant holiday color, making the dessert even more appealing.

A complete, detailed ingredient list, including precise measurements, can be found at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.

Substitutions and Additions to Customize Your Lasagna

One of the best things about this Christmas Dessert Lasagna is how versatile it is! Feel free to get creative and tailor it to your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.

• Creative Toppings: While our suggested toppings are classic, don’t hesitate to experiment! Other fantastic ideas include white chocolate chips, crushed candy canes (for an extra minty kick!), different holiday-themed sprinkles, edible glitter for extra sparkle, or even a drizzle of white chocolate ganache. A sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios could also add a lovely color and texture.
• Candy Cane Dessert Variation: If you’re looking for a different festive theme, transform this into a candy cane dessert! Instead of using green food coloring for the pudding layer, add a few drops of red food coloring. This will create beautiful red and white dessert layers, perfectly mimicking a classic candy cane. The peppermint flavor in the cheesecake layer will complement this theme wonderfully.
• Omit the Food Coloring: For a more subtle, natural look, you can certainly leave the pudding layers as is, without adding any green food coloring. The white chocolate pudding will remain a creamy off-white color, and the dessert will still be incredibly delicious and visually appealing, especially with the red velvet crust and colorful toppings. It offers a more elegant, understated aesthetic.
• Enhance the Red Velvet Cake Layer: To make your red velvet crust even more striking and truly “pop” with color, feel free to add a few extra drops of red gel food coloring to the cake mixture before baking. This will enhance the already bright red color, making the bottom layer truly vibrant and festive.
• Alternate Crusts: Not a fan of red velvet? You could use a crushed Oreo cookie crust (classic chocolate or even mint Oreos!), a simple graham cracker crust, or even a shortbread cookie crust for a different base flavor and texture.
• Different Pudding Flavors: While white chocolate is a great neutral base, you could experiment with other pudding flavors. Pistachio pudding would naturally provide a green color, or strawberry pudding could enhance a red theme. Just ensure it’s an instant pudding mix for the best results.
• Extra Extracts: Beyond peppermint, you could add a touch of vanilla extract to the cream cheese layer for a more classic flavor, or even a hint of almond extract for a distinct, nutty aroma that pairs well with many holiday flavors.

How to Make Christmas Lasagna: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this stunning Christmas Dessert Lasagna is a straightforward process, broken down into manageable layers. Follow these steps for a perfect holiday treat!

Step 1 – Prepare and Bake the Red Velvet Crust:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Lightly grease the bottom of a 9×13 inch (or 9×12 inch) baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, ½ cup melted unsalted butter, and the large egg. Stir these ingredients together until they are just combined and form a thick, dough-like consistency. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, creating a solid crust. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the crust is set. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely to room temperature before adding subsequent layers. This is crucial for maintaining distinct layers.

Step 2. Combine the cake mix, butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 15-18 minutes. Then let it cool completely.

Step 3 – Create the Peppermint Cheesecake Layer:
In a separate large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is incredibly creamy and smooth, with no lumps remaining. Gently fold in 1¼ cups of Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will deflate the whipped topping. Carefully and evenly spread this luscious peppermint cheesecake layer over the cooled red velvet crust. Place the pan in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 15-20 minutes to allow this layer to firm up before adding the next one.

Step 4 – Prepare the Green Pudding Layer:
In another bowl, whisk together the two packages of instant white chocolate pudding mix and 2¾ cups of cold milk. Continue whisking vigorously for about 2-3 minutes, or until the pudding starts to thicken significantly. Now, it’s time to add your festive color! Add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve your desired vibrant green hue. Gel food coloring is recommended for the best color saturation.

Step 5. Spread the green pudding evenly over the firmed-up peppermint cheesecake layer. Return the pan to the refrigerator or freezer for another 15-20 minutes to allow the pudding layer to set properly. This step is crucial for clean, distinct layers.

Step 6 – Add the Final Whipped Topping:
Once the green pudding layer has set and is firm to the touch, gently spread the remaining 1½ cups of whipped cream (or Cool Whip) evenly over the top of the pudding layer. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place it back into the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling overnight allows all the layers to fully set and meld, resulting in a firm, easy-to-slice dessert with perfectly defined layers and enhanced flavors.

Step 7 – Garnish and Serve:
Just before you’re ready to serve, remove the dessert lasagna from the refrigerator. Evenly sprinkle 2 cups of mini marshmallows over the top. Then, generously scatter your chosen Christmas sprinkles and the festive red and green M&Ms over the marshmallows. This ensures the toppings remain fresh, vibrant, and don’t melt into the whipped cream. Slice into squares using a sharp knife and serve cold. Enjoy your beautiful and delicious Christmas Dessert Lasagna!

Pro Tips for a Perfect Christmas Dessert Lasagna

• Read the Cake Mix Box Carefully (and then ignore it!): For the crust, do not prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the box. You only need the specific ingredients listed in *this* recipe (cake mix, melted butter, and egg) to create a firm, cookie-like crust, not a fluffy cake.
• Patience with Chilling is Key: Each layer needs sufficient time to cool or set completely before you add the next one. This is the most crucial step to ensure clean, distinct lines between the colorful layers and prevent them from mixing. If a layer isn’t fully set, the next one might sink or blend, compromising the beautiful presentation.
• Toppings Last Minute: Always wait to add the delicate toppings (like marshmallows, sprinkles, and M&Ms) to this dessert until just before you’re ready to serve. If added too early, especially if refrigerating for an extended period, the moisture from the whipped cream can cause the candy colors to bleed or the marshmallows to become sticky. While it would still taste great, the visual appeal wouldn’t be as striking.
• Room Temperature Ingredients for Cheesecake: Ensure your cream cheese and softened butter for the cheesecake layer are at true room temperature. This will help them beat together smoothly and prevent lumps, resulting in a much creamier and more luxurious texture.
• Use a Sharp, Warm Knife for Slicing: For the cleanest cuts and perfectly defined layers when serving, use a sharp knife. For even better results, you can run the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each cut. This creates crisp edges and a professional-looking slice.
• Chill Your Bowls for Whipped Cream: If you’re making homemade whipped cream, chilling your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before whipping can help the cream whip up faster and hold its peaks longer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Dessert Lasagna

More Christmas Desserts to Delight Your Guests

Looking for even more sweet inspiration for your holiday season? Here are some other fantastic Christmas dessert recipes that are sure to be a hit:

• Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: Recreate a nostalgic holiday favorite with this fun recipe.
• Easy Christmas Dump Cake Recipe: Minimal effort, maximum flavor, and perfectly festive.
• Irresistible Magic Cookie Bars: A classic treat with a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
• Vibrant Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe: A moist and colorful cake that’s surprisingly simple to make.
• Effortless Crock Pot Christmas Candy Recipe: Delicious homemade candy with minimal hands-on time.
• No-Bake Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe: A quick, easy, and festive treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

This Christmas Dessert Lasagna is truly a masterpiece that everyone at your holiday celebration will adore. Its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and creamy textures make it an unforgettable holiday treat. We encourage you to make it for the holiday season and experience the joy it brings! Once you do, please take a moment to leave a comment and a star rating on the recipe. Your feedback helps us share these wonderful recipes with more home bakers!