Easy Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe

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This festive Christmas Lasagna Dessert is made with gorgeous and decadent layers of red velvet shortbread, cream cheese, instant pudding mix and cool whip then topped with festive sprinkles. It’s a fun holiday dessert that’s guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

There are so many recipes that are on my ” favorites list” during the Christmas season. And while I always enjoy making the Christmas classics like Rocky Road Fudge, each year I try to add something new and exciting!

This year I added these cute little Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies and these adorable Santa’s Hat Cupcakes. It was no surprise that both were a huge hit with my family.

But, I have to say, this whimsical layered dessert recipe just screams Merry Christmas and checks every box for the perfect Christmas Day dessert. It has all the colors of Christmas, it’s super fun and easy to make, and the kids LOVE it!

Ingredients in Christmas Lasagna

• 1 box Red Velvet Cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes (or peppermint candies)
• 2 3/4 cups milk, divided
• 16 ounces of Cool Whip
• 2 pkg vanilla instant pudding
• Green food coloring (gel food coloring works best)
• Christmas themed sprinkles and crushed candy canes for topping

How to Make Christmas Holiday Lasagna

For the Red Velvet Layer

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13×9 pan.

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

Step 3: Pour the red velvet mixture into the prepared pan. Spread evenly.

Step 4: Bake for 15-18 minutes or until done.

For the Cream Cheese Layer

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

Step 2: Add 1/4 cup 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 shortbread layer and place in refrigerator.

For the Green Pudding Layer

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

Step 2: Add the green gel color until the green layer reaches the desired shade. We like Grinch green!

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.

For the 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 dessert in the fridge 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 of Layered Christmas Dessert Lasagna

This is such a popular recipe and there are several variations of this dessert 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 shortbread like crust because of its intense red color. But you can also make this recipe with a brownie layer. You can use a little red food coloring in 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 it is for me! But if you really prefer to make it homemade, you certainly can. Add a little sweetener 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, Christmas color M&M’s 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 this frozen, the cake layer will be a little too hard to eat. That’s why it’s best served when 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 into into chunks and place it in your favorite trifle dish.

Continue with the other layers and VIOLA! You’ll have a fun and festive holiday trifle to serve during the holiday season.

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

More Christmas Sweet Treats:

• Easy Christmas Poke Cake
• White Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies
• Easy Saltine Cracker Toffee with Peanuts
• White Chocolate Covered Oreos
• 15 Christmas Desserts Almost Too Pretty to Eat
• Mint Chocolate Meringue Cookies

Continue to Content

Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Yield: 18

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This Christmas lasagna dessert is the perfect treat for your holiday dessert table!

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Ingredients

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes
• 2 3/4 cups milk, divided
• 16 ounces Cool Whip
• (2) 3.4 ounce packages vanilla instant pudding
• Green gel food coloring
• Christmas sprinkles and crushed candy canes for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13×9 pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix cake mix, butter and egg.
3. Spread the red velvet mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until done.
5. While the cake layer is cooling, prepare the cream cheese layer. Mix cream cheese and sugar together.
6. Add 1/4 cup milk. Beat until smooth.
7. Fold in one container of Cool Whip and the crushed candy canes.
8. Spread evenly over the cooled red velvet shortbread layer and place in refrigerator.
9. In a large bowl, whisk the milk and the pudding mixes together.
10. Add the green gel color until the green layer reaches the desired shade (think of Grinch green).
11. Pour the pudding over the cream cheese layer.
12. Place back into the refrigerator to set up at least 4 hours.
13. After the pudding layer has had time to set up, top with the second container of Cool Whip and spread evenly. Add sprinkles and serve.

Notes

Turn this dessert into a trifle for a fun twist! Just cut the cake into chunks and top with the remaining layers.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick 9 x 13-Inch Oblong Cake Pans, Set of 2
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  Classic Silver Stainless Steel Cake Knife Set,
• 
  Christmas Pattern Ceramic Plates set of 6

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 190mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g

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