Oh, you’re going to love this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe—it’s seriously one of my favorite holiday treats to whip up when I want something festive but also easy to make ahead. The layers come together beautifully with vibrant red crust, creamy white cheesecake, and a refreshing green peppermint pudding that’s just bursting with Christmas spirit. Trust me, it’s perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or even just a cozy night in when you want to treat yourself.

What makes this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe really special is how the flavors and textures play off each other—the crunch of the vanilla wafer crust, the smooth richness of the cheesecake layer, and the cool, minty pudding topped with fluffy whipped cream and marshmallows. It’s like a holiday party in every bite. If you love desserts that look as delightful as they taste, this one’s definitely worth trying, especially if you want something that gets everyone excited just by the way it looks on the table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create layers of incredible flavor and texture—everything from the vanilla wafers in the crust to the peppermint pudding makes this dessert truly shine. I always recommend grabbing quality cream cheese and fresh whipped topping for the creamiest results!

Vanilla wafers: I prefer the classic vanilla wafers—they make the perfect sweet and crunchy crust base.
Salted butter: Melted butter helps bind the crust and adds that rich buttery flavor. Don’t skip on using salted for that perfect balance!
Red food coloring gel: A little goes a long way to get that vibrant holiday red crust without changing the flavor.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is key for a smooth, creamy cheesecake layer—make sure it’s at room temperature.
Granulated white sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the tang of the cream cheese.
Sour cream: Adds a subtle tanginess that makes the cheesecake layer taste fresher and lighter.
Whipped topping: Use a good quality brand or homemade whipped cream for fluffiness in both the cheesecake and topping layers.
Heavy cream: This is the base for the peppermint pudding—whipping it up thick ensures that perfect pudding consistency.
Peppermint extract: This is where the magic happens—just a little gives the pudding a refreshing minty holiday twist.
Cheesecake instant pudding mix: This adds an extra creamy texture and complements the cheesecake layer beautifully.
Green liquid food coloring: For that festive green peppermint pudding—add gradually until you get your desired shade.
Mini marshmallows: I love these for the final topping—it adds a fun, light chewiness to the dessert.
Christmas candies, sprinkles, or red & green M&Ms (optional): These are perfect for adding that extra festive sparkle on top, especially if you’re serving guests or kids.

Variations

I like to mix things up with this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe depending on who’s coming over or what I have in the pantry. Feel free to personalize it to match your holiday vibe—variations keep it exciting year after year!

Chocolate Peppermint Twist: Swap the vanilla wafers for chocolate wafers or add a layer of crushed peppermint bark for a delicious chocolate-mint combo. I tried this last year, and it was a big hit with my chocolate-loving friends.
Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut cream whipped topping and vegan cream cheese alternatives. The peppermint pudding can be made with dairy-free pudding mixes too—I’ve found it works surprisingly well without losing flavor.
Add Fresh Berries: For a fresh pop, sprinkle raspberries or sliced strawberries between layers or as a topping. It adds a bright contrast and looks beautiful.
Less Sweet Option: If you prefer desserts that aren’t overly sugary, cut back on the granulated sugar in the cheesecake layer and use unsweetened whipped cream.

How to Make Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Make the Red Crust

Start by crushing those vanilla wafers into fine crumbs—using a food processor makes this quick, but a zip-top bag and rolling pin works just as well. Pour in the melted salted butter and add a small scoop of red food coloring gel. Stir it up until the crumbs are evenly coated and have that festive red hue. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your lasagna dish or a 9×13 pan. This crust layer acts like the foundation, so make sure it’s packed tight enough to hold together but not so firm that it becomes hard to cut through later.

Step 2: Prepare the White Cheesecake Layer

Beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, then mix in the sour cream. Gently fold in two cups of whipped topping to keep it light and fluffy. Spread this cheesecake layer evenly over the red crust. I find using an offset spatula helps get a nice smooth finish here. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you make the pudding layer—this lets it set nicely and prevents mixing of layers.

Step 3: Whip Up the Green Peppermint Pudding

In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold in the peppermint extract and instant cheesecake pudding mix. Add green food coloring little by little until you get that perfect Christmas green color. Spread this luscious pudding layer over the chilled cheesecake layer, smoothing it out carefully. This minty green layer is my favorite—it feels so festive and refreshing.

Step 4: Add the Topping and Chill

Finish with a generous layer of whipped topping, then sprinkle mini marshmallows and your choice of Christmas candies, sprinkles, or red and green M&Ms for that extra holiday sparkle. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. This resting time lets all the flavors meld beautifully and makes slicing easier.

How to Serve Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe

The image shows eight small white bowls and plates arranged on a white marbled surface, each holding a different ingredient. From the top left, there is a small bowl filled with a light beige granular powder, next to a rectangular block of pale yellow butter. To the right, a small bowl holds a dark brown thick sauce. Below, a medium bowl is filled with white crumbled cottage cheese. Towards the bottom left, a small bowl contains dark liquid, and next to it, a tiny bowl has green candy-coated pieces, with three red M&M candies placed nearby. Below these, a large bowl has smooth white cream with soft swirls. On the bottom right, a small bowl is filled with small white marshmallows. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing this dessert with extra mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, and sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect. The red and green M&Ms on top are an easy way to amp up the Christmas vibes, especially when serving kids. These little garnishes add texture and charm, making the dessert look just as special as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This dessert is rich and sweet, so I usually serve it alongside simple, fresh fruit like sliced pears, apples, or mixed berries to balance things out. It also pairs beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea or a lightly brewed coffee, which cuts through the sweetness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve served this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe in clear glass dishes or trifle bowls so guests can see the pretty layers—that always gets compliments! Another fun idea is to make individual servings in small mason jars with separate toppings for a grab-and-go festive treat. Wrapping those with a little ribbon makes them perfect for gift-giving too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. This dessert holds up well for 3-4 days, though honestly it rarely lasts that long in my house! Just make sure the toppings don’t get smooshed by storing it carefully.

Freezing

Freezing this dessert can be tricky because of the whipped toppings, but I’ve had decent luck freezing the layers separately before assembling. If you want to freeze leftovers, pack them in airtight freezer-safe containers and thaw slowly in the fridge to keep textures intact.

Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed chilled, so no reheating necessary! If leftovers have been frozen, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight and serve cold to enjoy the full creamy, minty flavors.

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dessert actually tastes even better the next day as the layers have more time to set and the flavors meld. Just cover it well and refrigerate it overnight or up to 24 hours before serving.
What can I substitute for peppermint extract if I don’t have any?

If you don’t have peppermint extract, you can use vanilla extract for a more neutral flavor or try a few drops of peppermint oil—but be very careful as it’s much stronger than extract. Another option is to add crushed candy canes to the pudding layer for a natural peppermint taste.
Can this dessert be made gluten-free?

Yes! You can swap the vanilla wafers for gluten-free vanilla cookies or graham crackers. Just make sure all other ingredients, like pudding mix, are gluten-free certified.
How do I keep the marshmallows from melting into the dessert?

For best results, add the mini marshmallows right before serving or just after the dessert has chilled completely. Adding them too early can cause them to soften and lose their shape.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Lasagna Dessert Recipe feels like a holiday tradition for me now. It brings together all the festive colors and flavors in a way that’s fun, delicious, and surprisingly easy. Whether you’re hosting a big crowd or just want a special treat for yourself, I can’t recommend this enough—give it a try and watch it become your go-to holiday dessert too!