Easy Christmas Lasagna Dessert

This festive Christmas Lasagna Dessert recipe layers lush red velvet cake, creamy cheesecake goodness and velvety instant pudding. Topped with a layer of Cool Whip and holiday sprinkles, it’s a delicious holiday treat that’s guaranteed to stand out on your dessert table!

Christmas Dessert Lasagna

There are so many recipes that are on my “favorites list” during the Christmas season. And while I always enjoy making traditional Christmas treats like these colorful Sugar Cookies With Sanding Sugar, I’m always looking for fun new desserts to try!

Sometimes I go for whimsical, like with these Snowman Oreo Balls or Christmas Tree Meringues. Other times I want a more classic dessert, like this easy (and SO delicious) Christmas Poke Cake.

But with it’s decadent lush layers and all the colors of Christmas, this easy recipe has quickly become a favorite! Perfect for a holiday brunch or your Christmas dessert table, it’s guaranteed to have everyone coming back for more!

Ingredients

• Red Velvet Cake mix
• Butter, melted
• Egg
• Cream cheese
• Confectioners sugar
• Crushed candy canes (or crushed peppermint candies)
• Milk, divided
• Cool Whip
• Vanilla instant pudding
• Green food coloring (gel food coloring works best)
• Christmas themed sprinkles and crushed candy canes for topping

How to Make Christmas Lasagna

Red Velvet Layer

• Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13×9 baking dish.

• Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, mix cake mix, butter, and egg.

• Step 3. Pour the red velvet mixture into the bottom of the pan. Spread evenly.

• Step 4. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until done.

Cream Cheese Layer

• Step 1. While the cake layer is cooling, prepare the cream cheese layer. Mix the cream cheese and sugar together.

• Step 2. Add 1/4 cup of milk. Beat until smooth.

• Step 3. Fold in one container of Cool Whip and the crushed candy canes.

• Step 4. Spread evenly over the cooled red velvet layer and place in the fridge.

Green Pudding Layer

• Step 1. In a large bowl, whisk the milk and the pudding mixes together.

• Step 2. Add green food coloring until the green layer reaches the desired shade. We like Grinch green!

Tip: Gel food coloring is concentrated, so add a few drops at a time and mix well before you add more.

• Step 3. Pour the pudding over the cream cheese layer.

• Step 4. Place back into the refrigerator. Let the dessert set for at least 4 hours.

Final Layer

After the pudding layer has had time to set up, top with the 2nd container of Cool Whip and spread evenly.

Don’t forget the sprinkles! Serve immediately and ENJOY!

How to Store Christmas Lasagna

You’ll want to keep this in the refrigerator when you’re not serving it. It will keep fresh for several days, making this a great make-ahead dessert. Just be sure to place plastic wrap tightly over the top of the dish while it’s in the fridge.

Variations

This is such a popular recipe, and there are several variations that you could try next time. Here are some ideas for you to consider:

• Cake layer: This bottom layer of this lasagna recipe uses a red velvet crust because of its intense red color. But you can also make this recipe with a brownie layer. You can add red food coloring to the brownie mix to give it a hint of red.
• Cream cheese layer: If you want to add even more peppermint flavor to this dessert, add a drop or two of peppermint extract for a peppermint cheesecake layer.
• Pudding layer: The green pudding layer uses vanilla pudding in this recipe. You can always use white chocolate pudding mix in its place.
• Whipped topping layer: I am all about short cuts, so Cool Whip cream it is for me! But if you really prefer to make it homemade, you certainly can. Add a little powdered sugar, and make sure you beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
• Toppings: Have fun adding any toppings you know the kids will love. Mini marshmallows, red and green Christmas M&Ms and white chocolate chips are all great options.

Can this Dessert Be Served Frozen?

This recipe can be frozen for up to a month. While you can serve it frozen, the cake layer will be a little too hard to eat. That’s why it’s best served chilled but not completely frozen. You can also set it out just long enough for the cake layer to soften while the other layers remain a bit frosty.

Can I Make this in a Trifle Dish?

People just love trifle desserts! And by people, I mean me…and my girls. This Christmas Lasagna adapts easily to a trifle-style dessert. After the cake is cooled completely, cut it into chunks and place it in your favorite trifle dish.

Continue with the other layers, and voila! You’ll have a fun and festive holiday trifle ready to serve after your Christmas Eve dinner or anytime during the holiday season.

Regardless of how you serve this sweet and creamy dessert, it is a pretty and colorful treat that your guests will love.

More Christmas Sweet Treats:

• Grinch Oreo Balls
• Cranberry Fluff Salad
• Red Velvet Brownies (with cream cheese frosting)
• Sugar Cookie Fudge
• Chocolate Christmas Mice
• Christmas Mint Candy
• Bear Paw Cookies