The Jolliest Christmas Lasagna Recipe for Holiday Magic

When winter’s magic fills your kitchen with festive christmas lasagna aromas, something extraordinary happens.

Layers of rich, creamy cheese mingle with seasonal herbs and tender pasta.

Comfort meets celebration in every delightful bite.

Seasonal spices dance through each carefully crafted layer.

Warmth radiates from this hearty dish that brings people closer together.

Sweet and savory notes create a memorable meal everyone will adore.

Christmas Lasagna That Feeds a Hungry Holiday Crowd

• Whip Up Festive Flavors: This Christmas Lasagna brings together a delightful mix of chocolate, peppermint, and creamy textures that capture the holiday spirit in every bite.
• Conquer with Ease: The recipe requires minimal baking skills, with simple layering techniques that even novice bakers can master quickly and confidently.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations, this dessert will wow guests with its colorful, playful appearance and delicious taste.
• Customize Your Celebration: Easily adapt the decorations and colors to match your holiday theme, making it a versatile treat for different festive occasions.

Apple Cinnamon Crisp What Goes In

• Butter: Rich and creamy base for shortbread.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness to shortbread layer.
• Flour: Provides structure to shortbread.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives chocolate flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste.

• Red Food Coloring, Green Food Coloring: Creates festive Christmas look.
• Peppermint Extract: Adds refreshing holiday flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth cheesecake layer.
• Cool Whip: Provides light and fluffy texture.
• Instant Pudding Mix: Helps create creamy middle layer.
• Milk: Activates pudding mix.

• Marshmallows, Sprinkles, Candies: Fun and colorful garnish.

Christmas Lasagna Festive Prep Instructions

Step 1: Craft Festive Shortbread Base

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• Red food coloring

Press the vibrant mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges look set. Let the shortbread cool completely at room temperature.

Step 2: Create Creamy Peppermint Cheesecake Layer

Blend cream cheese with powdered sugar until silky smooth. Stir in peppermint extract for a festive punch. Gently fold in Cool Whip to create a light, airy texture. Spread this dreamy mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread base.

Step 3: Whip Up Emerald Pudding Layer

Whisk pudding mix with milk until thick and luscious. Add green food coloring to create a holiday-inspired hue. Pour this vibrant layer over the cheesecake layer. Chill in the refrigerator for one hour to set.

Step 4: Decorate with Festive Flair

• Mini marshmallows
• Colorful holiday sprinkles
• Festive candies

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the Christmas Lasagna for another hour to ensure perfect consistency. Slice and serve this show-stopping holiday dessert that’s sure to wow your guests.

Holiday Layer Tips for Christmas Lasagna

• Color with Care: Use gel food coloring for vibrant red and green layers without altering the dessert's texture.
• Flavor Boost: Add peppermint extract gradually, tasting to achieve the perfect minty balance without overwhelming the dessert.
• Smooth Spreading Trick: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create even, clean layers for a professional-looking dessert.
• Chill for Success: Allow each layer to set completely before adding the next to prevent mixing and maintain distinct color separation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the lasagna a day in advance to let flavors meld and make holiday entertaining easier.

Christmas Lasagna How to Store Holiday Leftovers

• Transfer lasagna to an airtight container, cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping layers intact and fresh.
• Wrap the entire dish securely in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks, preventing freezer burn and maintaining texture.
• Move frozen lasagna to refrigerator overnight, allowing slow and even defrosting. Never thaw at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 30-45 seconds, or place entire dish in 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add fresh whipped cream or sprinkles after reheating to restore original presentation.

Christmas Lasagna Side Matches

• Pair Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Rich, creamy hot chocolate with fresh peppermint stick perfectly complements the layered dessert's minty cheesecake notes.
• Create Vanilla Bean Espresso: Strong espresso with smooth vanilla undertones balances the sweet, festive dessert layers and cuts through the richness.
• Match Festive Mulled Wine: Warm spiced red wine with hints of cinnamon and orange provides a sophisticated counterpoint to the dessert's cool, sweet profile.
• Select Sparkling Moscato: Light, sweet bubbly wine enhances the dessert's playful colors and adds elegant effervescence to the holiday treat.

Christmas Lasagna Flavor Twists

• Gluten-Free Holiday Delight: Replace flour with almond or gluten-free blend to accommodate wheat sensitivities. Use certified gluten-free cocoa and pudding mix.
• Dairy-Free Christmas Treat: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream cheese alternative. Use dairy-free whipped topping and coconut milk for pudding layer.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Dessert: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat cream cheese for reduced calorie version.
• Vegan Holiday Layer Cake: Replace butter with coconut oil. Use cashew cream instead of cream cheese. Select plant-based whipped topping and vegan marshmallows for completely animal-product-free dessert.

FAQs

• What are the key flavor components in Christmas Lasagna?

The dessert combines rich flavors of chocolate shortbread, peppermint cheesecake, and sweet pudding, creating a festive holiday dessert with layers of complementary tastes.

• Is this recipe difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! The recipe requires basic mixing and layering skills, with simple steps like creaming butter, blending cream cheese, and spreading layers, making it accessible for home bakers of all skill levels.

• Can I modify the food coloring if I don't want red and green colors?

Absolutely! You can skip food coloring or use different colors that match your holiday theme or personal preference, as the food coloring is purely decorative.

• How long does the entire dessert preparation take?

From start to finish, including baking and chilling times, the Christmas Lasagna takes approximately 3 hours, with most of that time being inactive chilling periods.

Christmas Lasagna Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic shines through this Christmas Lasagna, blending rich layers of creamy cheese and seasonal comfort. Merry flavors dance together, promising a delightful centerpiece that brings warmth and joy to your seasonal celebration.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 boxes (3.9 ounces or 110 grams each) white chocolate instant pudding
• 3 cups (720 milliliters) milk
• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) Cool Whip, thawed

Secondary Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring

Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• Red and green sprinkles
• M&M candies

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light butter coating to ensure easy removal of the shortbread base.
2. Create the vibrant shortbread foundation by thoroughly blending butter and powdered sugar until light and airy, then gradually incorporate flour, cocoa powder, and salt to form a smooth mixture.
3. Introduce red food coloring to the shortbread dough, mixing until a consistent crimson hue is achieved, then carefully press the colored mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake the shortbread base for 15-20 minutes until the edges appear slightly firm, then remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
5. Prepare the creamy cheesecake layer by whipping cream cheese with powdered sugar until silky smooth, then gently fold in peppermint extract for a refreshing twist.
6. Incorporate Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture, creating a light and fluffy texture, then spread the mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread base.
7. Craft the festive pudding layer by whisking pudding mix with milk until it thickens and reaches a smooth consistency, then enhance with green food coloring for a holiday-inspired appearance.
8. Carefully pour the green-tinted pudding over the cheesecake layer, ensuring an even distribution, and refrigerate for one hour to set.
9. Generously top the chilled dessert with additional Cool Whip, creating a cloud-like surface perfect for decorative garnishes.
10. Embellish the top with a playful combination of mini marshmallows, colorful sprinkles, and festive candies to complete the Christmas lasagna.
11. Return the dessert to the refrigerator for a final hour of chilling to allow all layers to meld together perfectly before serving.

Notes

• Customize the shortbread layer by adjusting the cocoa intensity for a richer chocolate base that complements the festive flavors.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant and concentrated red and green colors without altering the texture of the dessert.
• Consider substituting low-fat cream cheese and Cool Whip for a lighter version that maintains the creamy decadence of the original recipe.
• Experiment with different extracts like vanilla or almond to create unique flavor variations that suit different palates and holiday preferences.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg