Name: Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box Red Velvet Cake mix; ½ cup butter, melted; 1 large egg; 16 ounces cream cheese, softened; ½ cup confectioners sugar; ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies; ¼ cup milk; 8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip); 2 boxes vanilla instant pudding (5.1 ounces each); 2 ½ cups milk; Green gel food coloring (5-6 drops, adjust to desired color); 8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip); Holiday colored sprinkles

Imagine biting into layers of creamy peppermint, velvety red velvet cake, and fluffy pudding all in one festive dish. That’s exactly what the Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe offers—a rich, no-fuss holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

This image shows a slice of a layered dessert held by a woman's hand on a metal spatula above a metal pan. The dessert has four layers: the bottom layer is a dark red, dense cake; above it is a thick white creamy layer with a light red tint; next is a bright green gelatin-like layer; and the top layer is white whipped cream decorated with small green, yellow star, and red round sprinkles. The background features a soft white marbled texture and blurred holiday decorations. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe is one I always reach for during the holidays when I want something that feels indulgent yet playful. It’s like slicing into a candy cane dream layered with creamy, fluffy, and moist textures that your whole family will rave about.

Festive Flavor Boost: The peppermint and red velvet combo make it perfectly seasonal without feeling over the top.
Easy Layered Dessert: No complicated baking skills required—just simple steps that build into something stunning.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it a day or two before, saving you stress on the big day.
Customizable Fun: From the whipped topping to the sprinkles, you control how extra or simple it gets!

The image shows a dessert with three layers on a white plate in front of a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a dark brown cake with a smooth texture, topped by a thicker, light pink creamy layer with fine red bits inside. Above this is a medium-thick green gelatin-like layer, smooth and shiny. The top layer is white and fluffy, covered with green, red, and gold sprinkles scattered unevenly. Behind the plate is a square white baking pan holding the remaining dessert with one piece removed, and another cut piece on a white plate with a silver fork next to it. Small festive decorations, including candy canes and ornaments, are spread around the scene, giving a holiday feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe plays a starring role to bring those layers alive. When shopping, look for good-quality cream cheese and peppermint candies for maximum flavor impact.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of bright red velvet cake mix powder, a small pool of melted butter beside it, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a block of cream cheese with a smooth surface, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white confectioners sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding crushed peppermint candies in red and white, a simple white ceramic bowl of fresh whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl brimming with fluffy white whipped topping, two unopened packets of vanilla instant pudding mix standing upright, a tiny white ceramic bowl with vivid green gel food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Red Velvet Cake Mix: Acts as the festive, moist base—go for the box mix but skip its instructions for a cookie-like texture.
Butter: Melts into the cake mix to add richness and help with the slightly chewy base texture.
Egg: Binds the cake base ingredients together for that perfect chewiness.
Cream Cheese: Adds tangy creaminess that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer evenly without graininess.
Peppermint Candies: Crushed for a festive crunch and that iconic holiday mint flavor.
Milk: Essential to get the pudding just right and to soften the cream cheese mixture.
Whipped Topping: Lightens layers and adds fluffy texture that keeps the dessert airy.
Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix: Thickens the green layer and ties in the creamy sweetness.
Green Gel Food Coloring: Brings the Christmas spirit visually—start with a few drops and build intensity.
Holiday Colored Sprinkles: Stunning final touch that feels like a holiday party on your plate.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I’ve swapped peppermint candies for crushed candy canes for an extra punch, and you can tweak the green pudding layer with different colors or even peppermint extract for bolder flavor.

Mint-Free Version: If you’re not a peppermint fan, just leave out the crushed candies and add vanilla or chocolate chips for a different twist—still as festive and delicious.
Dairy-Free Swaps: Use plant-based cream cheese and whipped topping alternatives to keep it allergy-friendly without losing creaminess.
Extra Crunch: Layer crushed Oreos or ginger snaps between layers for a delightful texture contrast.
Festive Layers: Try swapping green food coloring with red or even swirl both to create a candy cane effect.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Red Velvet Cookie-Like Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9 pan. Instead of following the cake mix box, I mix the red velvet cake mix with melted butter and one egg using an electric mixer. This creates a dense, cookie-like base that holds up perfectly to the layers on top. Spread it evenly and bake for 15 minutes. Once out of the oven, let it cool completely—about 30 minutes is my go-to—to avoid melting your creamy layers later on.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Peppermint Layer

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add ¼ cup milk to loosen the mixture, then fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping alongside crushed peppermint candies. Spread this gently over the cooled base and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This step lets everything set so the layers stay distinct when you slice.

Step 3: Prepare the Green Pudding Layer

In a clean bowl, whisk together the two boxes of vanilla instant pudding with 2 ½ cups of milk. Add green gel food coloring bit by bit, starting with 5-6 drops, until you reach that festive shade you love. Pour the pudding over the cream cheese layer and pop the pan back in the fridge for at least two hours until it’s set solid.

Step 4: Finish with Whipped Topping and Sprinkles

When you’re ready to serve, spread the remaining 8 ounces of whipped topping evenly on the pudding. Sprinkle with your holiday colored sprinkles to add color and a little crunch. Each slice feels like a mini celebration in every bite!

Top Tip

After making the Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe several times, I’ve picked up some tricks to make sure your dessert looks as amazing as it tastes.

Cool Completely: Make sure the cake base is fully cooled before spreading the cream cheese layer to avoid melting and mixing of layers.
Chill Time is Key: Don’t rush refrigerating between layers; this helps everything set well for clean slices.
Crush Peppermint Evenly: For a balanced mint flavor and texture, crush the candies finely but not into powder.
Use Gel Coloring: Gel food coloring offers vibrant hues without watering down the pudding layer.

How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe

Peppermint Dessert Lasagna - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always go for festive garnishes like crushed candy canes on top and a sprinkle of green and red sugar crystals. Sometimes, I even add edible glitter for an extra shimmer—it really makes the dessert catch everyone’s eye on the holiday table.

Side Dishes

Since this dessert is quite rich, I love pairing it with simple sides like fresh fruit salad or a peppermint tea. It balances the sweetness and keeps things light after a big meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I’ve served this in clear glass trifle dishes instead of a pan to showcase the layers beautifully. You can also prepare individual parfait-style cups with the same layers for an elegant, personalized touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe covered tightly in the fridge. I usually use airtight containers or cling wrap to keep it fresh for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to keep it chilled so the layers don’t separate or get watery.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal here, as the whipped topping and pudding textures can become grainy once thawed. I recommend enjoying it fresh or within a few days for the best experience.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so no reheating needed. When you pull it from the fridge, let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature to soften slightly if it’s been very cold.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade red velvet cake instead of the box mix?

Absolutely! Using homemade red velvet cake will add a personal touch and might change the texture slightly, but it will still work beautifully as the base of the dessert lasagna. Just make sure it’s dense enough to hold the layers on top.

What can I substitute for the peppermint candies?

If you’re not a peppermint fan or want a milder flavor, you can leave out the peppermint candies altogether or substitute with mini chocolate chips or crushed ginger snaps for some extra crunch and festive flavor instead.

How far in advance can I make this dessert?

You can make the Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe up to 2 days ahead. Just keep it covered and refrigerated until serving. This actually helps the flavors meld and the layers set perfectly!

Can I make this dessert gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix or bake a gluten-free version of the base cake. Just double-check that your pudding mix and other ingredients are also gluten-free to maintain safety for those with sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Peppermint Dessert Lasagna Recipe truly holds a special place in my holiday repertoire. It’s easy enough to throw together between all the festivities, yet impressive enough to wow guests with its color, layers, and festive crunch. I’d recommend giving it a try—you might just find it becomes your new holiday tradition too!