Get ready to win the holiday party with this show-stopping Christmas Dessert Lasagna. This is the ultimate no-bake, layered dessert that’s as delicious as it is festive. With a crunchy Oreo crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, a rich white chocolate pudding layer, and a final fluffy whipped topping, it’s a dream come true. We finish it off with festive red and green sprinkles and M&M’s for that perfect holiday touch. It’s an easy, make-ahead dessert that takes the stress out of holiday baking.
This recipe is perfect for the enthusiastic home cook who wants to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Each layer comes together quickly, and the result is a beautifully striped dessert that tastes like pure holiday magic. Similar to our popular No-Bake Christmas Peppermint Pie, this recipe is all about simple steps and big flavor.
Why This is the Perfect Holiday Dessert
You are going to absolutely love this recipe. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to a Christmas party or to serve after a big holiday meal. It solves the problem of needing a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
- Completely No-Bake: Free up your oven for the main course! This entire dessert sets up in the refrigerator.
- Perfectly Festive: The red and green toppings make it a beautiful centerpiece for your dessert table.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it a day or two in advance to save time and reduce holiday stress.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of chocolate, cheesecake, and white chocolate is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create four irresistible layers of holiday goodness. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Oreo Crust:
- Oreo Cookies: You’ll need a standard package of regular Oreo cookies.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter binds the cookie crumbs together to form the perfect crust.
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the cheesecake layer without adding any grit.
- Cool Whip: A tub of thawed whipped topping makes this layer light and fluffy.
For the Pudding Layer:
- White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix: Two small boxes will give you a thick, decadent pudding layer.
- Whole Milk: Cold whole milk is essential for the pudding to set up properly.
- Green Food Coloring: Just a few drops to give this layer a festive green hue.
For the Topping:
- Cool Whip: The remaining whipped topping creates the final snowy white layer.
- Festive Sprinkles: Red and green jimmies or nonpareils add a pop of color.
- Christmas M&M’s: For that final festive touch and a bit of chocolatey crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Christmas Dessert Lasagna
Making this layered dessert is easier than it looks! Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time. We’ll build it layer by layer, starting from the bottom up.
Step 1: Prepare the Oreo Crust
First, crush the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or a sealed plastic bag and a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, mix the cookie crumbs with the melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the dish in the freezer to set while you prepare the next layer.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in one cup of the Cool Whip until just combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled Oreo crust. Return the dish to the refrigerator.
Step 3: Mix the Pudding Layer
In another large bowl, whisk together the two boxes of white chocolate instant pudding mix and the cold whole milk for about two minutes, until it starts to thicken. Add a few drops of green food coloring and continue to whisk until you achieve a festive green color. Spread the green pudding carefully over the cream cheese layer.
Step 4: Add the Final Toppings
Let the pudding layer set for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator. Once it’s slightly firm, spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the top. Decorate with a generous amount of festive sprinkles and Christmas M&M’s. For a different but equally festive look, consider topping it with crushed candy canes or some beautiful Holiday Meringue Wreaths.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is crucial for the layers to set properly, ensuring clean, beautiful slices. When you’re ready to serve, cut into squares and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Layered Dessert
Want to make sure your Christmas Dessert Lasagna is absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips to guarantee success and impress your guests.
- Use Cold Milk: Make sure your milk is very cold when making the pudding layer. This helps it set up quickly and achieve the right consistency.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Allowing the cream cheese to come to room temperature is key to a smooth, non-lumpy cheesecake layer.
- Chill Between Layers: While not strictly necessary, chilling the dessert for 15-20 minutes after adding the crust and cream cheese layers can make spreading the subsequent layers much easier.
- Clean Slices: For perfectly clean slices, wipe your knife with a damp paper towel between each cut.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great base for customization. Here are a few fun variations you can try:
- Peppermint Delight: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the cream cheese layer and top with crushed candy canes.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Swap the white chocolate pudding for chocolate pudding and use regular chocolate M&M’s on top.
- Golden Oreo Base: Not a fan of chocolate crust? Use Golden Oreos instead for a vanilla-flavored base.
- Holiday Punch Pairing: This dessert pairs wonderfully with a festive beverage. Serve it alongside a bowl of our famous Holiday Rum Punch for the ultimate adult treat.
Absolutely! This dessert is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to two days in advance. For best results, keep it covered in the refrigerator and add the sprinkles and M&M’s just before serving to keep them from getting soft or bleeding their color.
Yes, you can easily customize the crust. Golden Oreos, Nilla wafers, or even shortbread cookies would make a wonderful substitute for the classic Oreo crust.
Store any leftover dessert lasagna tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Oreo crust will soften over time but it will still be delicious.
Yes, you can freeze this dessert lasagna. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to one month. Thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours before serving.
If you can’t find white chocolate instant pudding, vanilla or cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix are excellent substitutes that will work just as well in this recipe.
Absolutely! This dessert is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to two days in advance. For best results, keep it covered in the refrigerator and add the sprinkles and M&M’s just before serving to keep them from getting soft or bleeding their color.
Yes, you can easily customize the crust. Golden Oreos, Nilla wafers, or even shortbread cookies would make a wonderful substitute for the classic Oreo crust.
Store any leftover dessert lasagna tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Oreo crust will soften over time but it will still be delicious.
Yes, you can freeze this dessert lasagna. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to one month. Thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours before serving.
If you can’t find white chocolate instant pudding, vanilla or cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix are excellent substitutes that will work just as well in this recipe.
The Perfect No-Bake Christmas Dessert Lasagna Recipe
This Christmas Dessert Lasagna is the ultimate holiday treat—easy, festive, and absolutely delicious. It’s destined to become a new family tradition! If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it. Share your creation and tag us on Pinterest!
Christmas Dessert Lasagna: The Ultimate No-Bake Holiday Treat
This Christmas Dessert Lasagna is the ultimate no-bake holiday treat! With a crunchy Oreo crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, a festive green pudding layer, and fluffy whipped topping, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Electric mixer
- 1 Food Processor (or a rolling pin and plastic bag)
Ingredients
For the Oreo Crust
- 36 Oreo cookies regular, not double-stuf
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup Cool Whip thawed, divided
For the Pudding Layer
- 2 boxes (3.3 oz each) white chocolate instant pudding mix
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 4-5 drops green food coloring
For the Topping
- 8 oz Cool Whip the rest of the container
- 1/4 cup festive sprinkles
- 1/2 cup Christmas M&M's
Instructions
- Crush the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Freeze while preparing the next layer.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled Oreo crust.
- In another bowl, whisk together the white chocolate pudding mix and cold milk for about two minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the green food coloring and mix until combined. Spread the pudding layer over the cream cheese layer.
- Allow the pudding to set for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the pudding layer.
- Decorate with festive sprinkles and Christmas M&M's.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use very cold milk for the pudding layer to ensure it sets properly.
For clean slices, wipe your knife with a damp paper towel between each cut.
This dessert can be made up to 2 days in advance, but it's best to add the sprinkles and M&M's just before serving to prevent colors from bleeding.
Christmas Dessert Lasagna: The Ultimate No-Bake Holiday Treat
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Electric mixer
- 1 Food Processor (or a rolling pin and plastic bag)
Ingredients
For the Oreo Crust
- 36 Oreo cookies regular, not double-stuf
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup Cool Whip thawed, divided
For the Pudding Layer
- 2 boxes (3.3 oz each) white chocolate instant pudding mix
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 4-5 drops green food coloring
For the Topping
- 8 oz Cool Whip the rest of the container
- 1/4 cup festive sprinkles
- 1/2 cup Christmas M&M's
Instructions
- Crush the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Freeze while preparing the next layer.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled Oreo crust.
- In another bowl, whisk together the white chocolate pudding mix and cold milk for about two minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the green food coloring and mix until combined. Spread the pudding layer over the cream cheese layer.
- Allow the pudding to set for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the pudding layer.
- Decorate with festive sprinkles and Christmas M&M's.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing and serving.
Notes
For clean slices, wipe your knife with a damp paper towel between each cut.
This dessert can be made up to 2 days in advance, but it's best to add the sprinkles and M&M's just before serving to prevent colors from bleeding.
