Name: Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint 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; ½ cup confectioners sugar; ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies; ¼ cup milk; 8 ounces Whipped topping; 2 boxes Vanilla Instant Pudding (5.1 ounce boxes); 2 ½ cups milk; Green gel food coloring (5-6 drops or as desired); 8 ounces Whipped topping; Holiday colored sprinkles

There’s something undeniably festive and fun about my Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe that always gets compliments at holiday gatherings. Layers of red velvet, peppermint, and creamy goodness come together to create a show-stopping, no-fuss dessert that practically invites you to dig in right away.

The image shows a close-up of a layered dessert square being lifted by a spatula. From bottom to top, the first layer is dark red with a soft, cake-like texture. The second layer is fluffy and white with tiny red specks mixed in. Above it is a smooth, bright green layer. The top layer is white whipped cream decorated with green, white, and gold sprinkles, including a small red round one and a green leaf-shaped sprinkle. The background features a white marbled surface and blurred objects with soft colors. 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 Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to tell you, this recipe quickly became a holiday favorite in my family because it’s festive, straightforward, and absolutely delicious. It’s perfect for when you want to bring something special that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen but still wows everyone’s taste buds.

Easy layering: The cake base, creamy peppermint layer, and colorful pudding top make it simple to assemble but impressive to serve.
Peppermint kick: The crushed peppermint candies add a refreshing holiday crunch that’s just the right touch.
Make-ahead friendly: It chills beautifully, so you can prepare it in advance and avoid last-minute rushing.
Great for a crowd: This recipe makes about 18 servings, so it’s ideal for parties or larger family celebrations.

A square slice of layered dessert sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The dessert has four visible layers: a thick, dark red-brown base layer with a soft crumb texture, followed by a light pink creamy layer, then a bright green gelatin-like layer that is shiny and smooth, and topped with a thick white whipped cream layer. The top is decorated with green, white, and gold sprinkles, including small shapes like stars and holly leaves with a red round sprinkle near the center. In the background, there is a white serving tray with the same dessert, a small white bowl with colorful sprinkles, and holiday decorations including a red container with ornaments. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe blends classic holiday flavors and textures that complement each other perfectly. The red velvet layer acts as a chewy, subtly chocolatey base, while the peppermint cream adds a cool zing, and the green pudding brings festive color and richness. Here are some tips to get the best results with your ingredients:

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of smooth red velvet cake mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl with melted golden butter, a single large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a block of fresh cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white confectioners sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with crushed red and white peppermint candy pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh milk, a dollop of fluffy whipped topping on a simple white ceramic plate, two small white ceramic bowls each containing pale yellow vanilla instant pudding powder, a small white ceramic bowl with bright green gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically in realistic proportions 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: Skip the box directions for this—mixing it into a cookie-like batter gives you a sturdy yet tender base layer.
Butter: Melted butter helps bind the cake mix into a smooth batter and adds richness that pairs beautifully with cream cheese.
Large Egg: Just one egg helps hold the cake base together without making it cakey or fluffy.
Cream Cheese: The tangy cream cheese balances the sweetness and adds creamy texture to the peppermint layer.
Confectioners Sugar: Use powdered sugar for a smooth, sweet cream cheese filling that blends easily without grittiness.
Crushed Peppermint Candies: Freshly crushed candies give that unmistakable holiday peppermint punch and a little crunch.
Milk: Divided milk portions are key, as some make the pudding creamy while the rest go with the cream cheese layer.
Whipped Topping: Using whipped topping like Cool Whip lightens both the cream cheese and pudding layers, giving a fluffy finish.
Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix: The vanilla pudding adds a sweet, smooth layer with a beautiful green hue thanks to a few drops of gel food coloring.
Green Gel Food Coloring: Gives that classic Christmas green pop without watering down your pudding layer.
Holiday Colored Sprinkles: These are the final festive touch sprinkled on top, making it look party-ready!

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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

I love how versatile this Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe is. You can easily tweak the peppermint level or swap out the sprinkles for your favorite holiday decorations. Personalizing it makes it feel like your own holiday tradition.

Variation: One year, I added a layer of crushed candy canes between the cream cheese and pudding layers for extra peppermint crunch, and it was a hit!
Dietary swaps: For a lighter version, try using a light whipped topping and reduced-fat cream cheese. You can also substitute sugar-free pudding mix without sacrificing taste.
Milk alternatives: I’ve used almond milk instead of regular milk with good results—just make sure your pudding mix is compatible.
Seasonal changes: Around other holidays, I swap the peppermint candies for chocolate chips or chopped nuts, turning this into a year-round dessert.

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

Step 1: Make the chewy red velvet base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9 pan. In a large bowl, mix the red velvet cake mix with the melted butter and egg using an electric mixer. I always remind myself not to follow the box instructions here because the cookie-like batter is what gives this dessert its perfect foundation. Spread this batter evenly in your prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes. It might look a bit soft when you pull it out, but that’s okay. Let it cool completely for about 30 minutes before moving on.

Step 2: Whip up the peppermint cream layer

While the base cools, beat together the cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Then stir in ¼ cup of milk for creaminess. Folding in half of the whipped topping softens this layer, and the crushed peppermint candies fold in last for that festive crunch. Spread this layer evenly over the cooled red velvet crust, then pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to set. I find chilling this layer first keeps the pudding from mixing in when added.

Step 3: Prepare the green pudding layer

In a clean large bowl, whisk together the two boxes of vanilla instant pudding with the remaining 2 ½ cups of milk. Add green gel food coloring drops a few at a time until you reach your desired Christmas green shade—generally 5 to 6 drops work well. Pour this luscious pudding over your peppermint layer, smoothing the top, and return the dessert to the fridge for at least 2 hours to fully set. Patience here really pays off!

Step 4: Add the final fluffy topping and sprinkles

Right before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Then sprinkle on a generous handful of colorful holiday sprinkles. It looks so festive and instantly festive — like a holiday party on a plate! Serve chilled, scoop it out generously, and enjoy all the layered magic.

Top Tip

Making this Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe is straightforward, but a few little tricks helped me perfect the layers after some trial and error—and I think they’ll help you, too!

Don’t skip chilling in between layers: Letting each layer set keeps the pudding from mixing with the peppermint cream and keeps your layers distinct.
Crush peppermint candies finely: Bite-sized pieces are delicious, but if too big, they can disrupt the smooth spread of the layer.
Use gel food coloring: Liquid colors can thin the pudding mix and affect texture. Gel keeps the pudding thick with vibrant color.
Cool cake base completely: If the base isn’t fully cooled before adding cream, the cream cheese layer can melt and become runny.

How to Serve Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe

Christmas lasagna dessert - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m all about sprinkles for this dessert because they make it so festive and inviting. I usually use a mix of red, green, and white holiday sprinkles, sometimes adding a few crushed peppermint pieces on top for extra sparkle and crunch. Fresh mint leaves can also add a nice touch if you want to get fancy and a little fresher-looking.

Side Dishes

This dessert shines on its own, but if you want to build out a holiday spread, pair it with classic holiday cookies or a warm cup of spiced cider. For a more indulgent experience, serve alongside hot cocoa or eggnog — those creamy drinks really complement the peppermint flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday season, I layered this dessert in individual clear cups for a cute grab-and-go option at a party. It allowed guests to see all the beautiful layers and was really popular. You can also add edible glitter or a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top for extra flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers? Lucky you! I always keep this dessert tightly covered in the refrigerator—it stays fresh and delicious for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually meld beautifully after a day, so sometimes I think it tastes even better the next day.

Freezing

I’ve found that freezing this dessert isn’t ideal because the pudding’s texture changes when thawed, becoming less creamy. So I recommend skipping the freezer and enjoying it fresh within a few days. If you must freeze, wrap tightly and thaw slowly overnight in the fridge, but be prepared for a slight texture shift.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled dessert, reheating isn’t usually necessary. But if the creaminess firms up too much in the fridge, letting it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving softens the layers nicely without melting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping options, along with plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, to make this recipe dairy-free. Just make sure your pudding mix is also dairy-free or use a homemade pudding alternative.

What is the best way to crush peppermint candies for this recipe?

Place the peppermint candies in a zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan until they’re broken into small pieces. Avoid pulverizing them into powder so you keep a nice crunchy texture in the dessert.

Can I use homemade cake instead of cake mix in the Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite red velvet cake recipe, you can bake and crumble or slice it as your base. Keep in mind that the texture might be less cookie-like, so it may be a bit softer, but it will still taste wonderful.

How far ahead can I make this Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe?

You can prepare this dessert up to two days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Beyond that, the layers may start to lose their texture, but within two days it stays fresh and flavorful for your holiday celebrations.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Lasagna Dessert with Peppermint Recipe holds a special place in my holiday lineup because it’s both nostalgic and fun — a dessert that brings smiles without stress. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, sharing it with friends and family, and savoring every festive, creamy, peppermint-y bite. Give it a try this season; I promise it will become one of your favorites, too!