Description
Celebrate the holidays with this festive Christmas Lasagna Dessert featuring layers of red velvet cake, creamy cheesecake frosting, green vanilla pudding, and whipped topping, all garnished with colorful sprinkles and crushed candy canes for a delightful treat perfect for holiday gatherings.
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 3.4 ounce packages vanilla instant pudding
- 2 3/4 cups milk, divided
- Green gel food coloring (to desired shade)
Topping and Garnish
- 16 ounces Cool Whip (second container)
- Christmas sprinkles and crushed candy canes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 13×9 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and egg until well mixed and smooth.
- Bake Cake Layer: Spread the red velvet cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioners sugar together until smooth. Add 1/4 cup milk and mix until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Fold in Cool Whip and Candy Canes: Gently fold one container (16 ounces) of Cool Whip and the crushed candy canes into the cream cheese mixture. Spread this evenly over the cooled red velvet cake layer. Refrigerate to set.
- Make Pudding Layer: In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla instant pudding mixes with 2 3/4 cups milk until it starts to thicken. Add green gel food coloring gradually until reaching a vibrant ‘Grinch green’ color.
- Assemble Pudding Layer: Pour the green pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer. Return the dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours to allow layers to set properly.
- Add Final Topping: After the pudding layer has set, spread the second container (16 ounces) of Cool Whip evenly over the top.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate the dessert with Christmas sprinkles and crushed candy canes for a festive finish. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- For a fun variation, turn this dessert into a trifle by cutting the cake layer into chunks and layering them in a glass dish with the cream cheese mixture, pudding, and Cool Whip.
- Ensure the cake layer is completely cooled before adding cream cheese to prevent melting.
- The green gel food coloring can be adjusted to your preferred shade for a more subtle or vibrant green.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, but best enjoyed fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/18th of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
