Description
This Christmas Lasagna Dessert is a festive, layered treat combining rich red velvet cake, creamy candy cane-infused cream cheese, and vibrant green vanilla pudding, topped with whipped topping and holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties, this no-bake-lasagna styled dessert offers a colorful and delicious way to celebrate the season.
Ingredients
Scale
Red Velvet Cake Layer
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 egg
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes
- 1/4 cup milk
- 16 ounces Cool Whip (one container)
Vanilla Pudding Layer
- 2 packages (3.4 ounces each) vanilla instant pudding mix
- 2 3/4 cups milk, divided
- Green gel food coloring
Topping
- 16 ounces Cool Whip (second container)
- Christmas sprinkles and crushed candy canes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13×9 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix and Bake Cake Layer: In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Spread the mixture evenly in the greased pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake layer to cool completely before adding the next layer.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with confectioners sugar until smooth. Add 1/4 cup milk and mix well. Gently fold in one container of Cool Whip and crushed candy canes. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the cooled cake layer. Refrigerate to set while preparing the pudding layer.
- Make Vanilla Pudding Layer: In a large bowl, whisk together the two packages of vanilla instant pudding mixes and 2 1/2 cups of milk until thickened. Adjust the color by adding green gel food coloring until you reach a bright ‘Grinch green’ shade. Pour the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer and return to the refrigerator.
- Chill Dessert: Allow the dessert to chill and set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. This step is essential for the layers to firm up and merge flavors.
- Add Final Topping and Garnish: Once set, spread the second container of Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer. Decorate the top with Christmas sprinkles and additional crushed candy canes as desired. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- Turn this dessert into a festive trifle by cutting the cake into chunks and layering them with the cream cheese and pudding layers in a clear trifle dish.
- For an extra minty flavor, increase the amount of crushed candy canes or add a few drops of peppermint extract to the cream cheese mixture.
- Make sure the cake layer is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and Cool Whip for the best texture and flavor.
- This dessert can be made a day in advance; just cover and refrigerate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/18th of recipe)
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
