Name: Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box red velvet cake mix; 1/2 cup butter melted; 1 egg; 16 ounces cream cheese softened; 1/2 cup confectioners sugar; 1/4 cup crushed candy canes; 1/4 cup milk; 16 ounces Cool Whip; 2 3/4 cups milk divided; 2 3.4 ounce packages vanilla instant pudding; Green gel food coloring; 16 ounces Cool Whip; Christmas sprinkles and crushed candy canes for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 19 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a festive dessert that will wow your guests and add a playful touch to your holiday table, I have just the thing for you. This Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe is a luscious, layered marvel that combines the richness of red velvet cake with creamy pudding and fluffy whipped topping – all dressed up in Christmas colors. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be a holiday tradition you’ll want to make every year.

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Why This Recipe Works

Easy but impressive: It comes together quickly but looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Perfect holiday flavors: Red velvet cake, peppermint candy canes, and festive green pudding capture Christmas spirit perfectly.
Layered textures: Soft cake, silky cream cheese filling, and light Cool Whip create a delightful mouthfeel.
Kid and adult-friendly: Everyone from little ones to grown-ups will find a piece to swoon over.

Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert, festive red velvet dessert, holiday layered dessert, Christmas holiday dessert ideas, easy Christmas dessert recipes - A square piece of cake with two layers is lifted by a spatula above a white marbled surface. The cake’s bottom layer is chocolate brown, and the top is a thick white frosting spread evenly. The frosting is decorated with various colorful sprinkles, including green thin rods, small round pearls in pastel colors, yellow star shapes, and green Christmas tree shapes with red round sprinkles. The cake is in a silver baking pan with one piece missing from it. Nearby, there is a white bowl filled with green, red, and white holiday sprinkles. Two candy canes lie on the white marbled surface below the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a part in creating the perfect Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe. From the tender red velvet base to the peppermint crunch and creamy layers, each element complements the others beautifully. When shopping, pick the freshest cream cheese and the best cake mix you can find to really elevate the flavors.

Red velvet cake mix: The foundation of this dessert, it gives that iconic festive color and subtle cocoa flavor.
Butter: Melted butter replaces oil here for a richer, more tender cake layer.
Egg: Binds the cake mixture perfectly so the base holds together without crumbling.
Cream cheese: Brings tang and creaminess to balance the sweetness in the middle layer.
Confectioners sugar: Adds smooth sweetness to the cream cheese filling without graininess.
Crushed candy canes: Peppermint flavor and crunch make the dessert special and festive.
Milk: Divided – some helps smooth the cream cheese layer, and more goes into the pudding for that perfect set.
Cool Whip: Lightens up the cream cheese and pudding layers, plus the topping adds fluffy texture.
Vanilla instant pudding: Essential for that luscious green Christmas pudding layer.
Green gel food coloring: Transforms the pudding into a vivid Grinch-like green for holiday fun.
Christmas sprinkles and additional crushed candy canes for garnish: Adds the final festive flourish and texture contrast.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Over the years, I’ve played around with a few tweaks and found some variations that might suit your holiday vibe or dietary needs perfectly.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the candy canes for crushed peppermint bark when I want a richer chocolate-peppermint combo – your call!
Dairy-free option: You can use dairy-free cream cheese and Cool Whip alternatives if you’re accommodating allergies or preferences – just double-check the texture before layering.
Extra festive: Adding a sprinkle of chopped nuts like pistachios on top gives it a great color pop and crunch.
Trifle twist: I’ve turned this into a trifle before by cubing the cake layer and layering in a large glass dish – super fun and fancy for holiday parties.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Make the red velvet cake base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9 pan – this helps the cake release easily once baked. In a large bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and an egg. I find using melted butter instead of oil adds a richer flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, oil works too. Mix until smooth and pour the batter evenly into the pan. Bake for about 15-18 minutes – keep an eye on it so it doesn’t dry out. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Once done, let it cool completely on a wire rack. This part is key – if still warm, your creamy layers might get runny.

Step 2: Whip up the cream cheese layer

While the cake cools, it’s time for the creamy layer magic. Beat together softened cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. I usually bring the cream cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes early so it blends easily. Add 1/4 cup of milk and continue beating until silky. Then fold in one container of Cool Whip and the crushed candy canes – the peppermint crunch here really brightens up the flavor. Spread this evenly over the cooled red velvet cake base and pop the whole pan in the fridge to chill.

Step 3: Prepare the festive green pudding layer

In a separate bowl, whisk together the two packages of vanilla instant pudding mix with 2 3/4 cups of milk. Add green gel food coloring little by little, stirring as you go, until you hit a vibrant Grinch-like green – this always makes me smile. Pour this pudding layer gently over the cream cheese layer, spreading it carefully so you don’t disturb the layers. Back into the fridge it goes, for at least 4 hours, so everything sets nicely.

Step 4: Finish with whipped topping and garnish

After your pudding layer has set, spread the second container of Cool Whip over the top for that bright, fluffy finish. This last touch makes the dessert feel festive and approachable. Sprinkle on your Christmas sprinkles and a few more crushed candy canes for that irresistible holiday vibe. I love the crunch and color they bring—it’s like edible confetti!

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Don’t skip chilling: Allowing each layer to set well prevents mixing and keeps those beautiful layers distinct.
Softened cream cheese matters: If it’s too cold, lumps form; room temperature ensures a silky filling.
Use gel food coloring: Gel gives you a vibrant shade without watering down the pudding like liquid food colorings might.
Crush candy canes finely: Big chunks can make layering tricky and might overpower—the smaller, the better for balance.

How to Serve Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this dessert with bright red and white Christmas sprinkles for that extra sparkle, plus a sprinkle of crushed candy canes for crunch and peppermint aroma. Sometimes I even add a few fresh cranberries or a mint sprig to kick it up a notch visually and flavor-wise. These garnishes make the dish look and taste even more festive.

Side Dishes

This dessert is a perfect finale to a rich, savory holiday meal. Serve it alongside lighter sides like roasted vegetables or a fresh winter salad to balance the sweetness. If you’re doing a coffee or hot cocoa bar for the holidays, pairing this lasagna dessert with warm drinks is simply heavenly—everyone gravitates toward that combo at my family gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, I’ve served this Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe in individual clear cups. Guests love being able to see all those layers of red, white, and green pop through the glass. Another time, I made a trifle version, stacking cake chunks with the cream cheese layer and pudding in a large glass bowl—super fun and festive! These presentations are great if you want to make it feel more casual or buffet-friendly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This dessert stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. I cover it tightly with plastic wrap to keep the layers fresh and prevent the whipped topping from drying out. Keep it chilled until just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

I’ve experimented with freezing this Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe, but I recommend skipping it if possible—freezing can affect the texture of the whipped topping and pudding, making it watery when thawed. If you must freeze, do so before adding the whipped topping, and thaw slowly in the fridge overnight for best results.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t necessary. Just pull it from the fridge 10 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly for easier slicing and maximum flavor. If it’s been in the fridge for a while, a gentle stir of the cream cheese or pudding layer with a spoon can refresh the texture if needed.

FAQs

Can I make the Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dessert actually benefits from chilling for at least 4 hours—if not overnight—to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
What if I don’t have red velvet cake mix?

You can substitute with a boxed chocolate cake mix plus a teaspoon of red food coloring to mimic the red velvet flavor and color, or bake your own red velvet cake batter from scratch. Just be sure to cut the baking time to match the thin layer needed here.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Yes, homemade whipped cream works wonderfully if you prefer fresh ingredients, but keep in mind it might not hold up in the dessert as long as Cool Whip does, so serve sooner after assembling for best results.
How many servings does this Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe make?

This recipe serves about 18 people, making it perfect for large holiday gatherings or potlucks.
Can I turn this dessert into a trifle?

Definitely! Just cut the red velvet cake layer into chunks and layer it with the cream cheese and pudding mixtures in a large glass bowl or individual cups—this creates a fun and visually striking alternative presentation.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe has become a joyful highlight of my holiday baking because it’s easy enough to whip up after a long day, yet impressive enough to wow anyone who tries it. The colors and flavors just scream Christmas, but it’s the creamy textures and peppermint crunch that really make people come back for seconds—and thirds! I hope you find it as festive and delicious as I do, and soon it will be your go-to holiday treat too.