Name: Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 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, like Cool Whip; 2 boxes Vanilla Instant Pudding 5.1 ounce boxes; 2 ½ cups milk; Green gel food coloring (5-6 drops or to desired color); 8 ounces Whipped topping, like Cool Whip; Holiday colored sprinkles

The perfect festive treat doesn’t have to be complicated, and that’s exactly what makes this Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe so irresistible. Layers of rich red velvet, creamy cheesecake, and vibrant green pudding come together in a way that feels like holiday magic on a plate.

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 Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe has saved the day when I needed a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy. It combines familiar holiday flavors in a fun, layered way everyone adores.

Easy to assemble: Unlike traditional lasagna, this dessert requires no pasta—just simple layers you can throw together quickly.
Festive colors: The bright red cake paired with green pudding makes it perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
Delicious textures: You get that rich red velvet cake chewiness, creamy cheesecake layer, and smooth pudding—all in one bite.
Customizable flavors: You can easily tweak peppermint add-ins or sprinkles to fit your own holiday twist.

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

Each ingredient here serves a delicious purpose, from building the sturdy yet tender red velvet cookie base to creating luscious layers that balance sweetness with a little festive crunch.

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: Provides that iconic holiday flavor and vibrant color; I use the mix instead of scratch to save time without sacrificing taste.
Butter: Melting it into the cake batter gives the base a rich richness and helps achieve that cookie-like texture.
Egg: Binds the cake batter so it holds together perfectly when baked.
Cream Cheese: Essential for the creamy cheesecake layer; make sure it's softened to avoid lumps when mixing.
Confectioners Sugar: Adds just the right sweetness to the cream cheese layer without being grainy.
Peppermint Candies (crushed): Gives festive crunch and a hint of cool mint, but you can skip these if peppermint isn’t your thing.
Milk: Needed twice—for blending into the cream cheese mixture and for mixing the instant pudding; I recommend using whole milk for the best taste and texture.
Whipped Topping: Adds fluffy lightness to both the cream cheese and pudding layers; I use a stable whipped topping like Cool Whip to keep it firm.
Vanilla Instant Pudding: Creates the green pudding layer that’s smooth and sweet, perfect for a festive touch.
Green Gel Food Coloring: I prefer gel because it’s highly concentrated, so you get bright color without watering down the pudding.
Holiday Colored Sprinkles: For that joyful final sprinkle of holiday cheer on top—choose your favorites!

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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 playing with the peppermint candies here—sometimes I add a hint of crushed candy canes for a little extra zing or swap out the sprinkles for chopped toasted nuts to add crunch. Feel free to make this Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe truly yours!

Variation: Once, I swapped the green pudding for chocolate pudding to create a Noël-themed twist, and my family couldn’t tell the difference—totally delicious.
Dairy-Free Option: You can substitute cream cheese and whipped topping with dairy-free alternatives, just be sure they’re firm enough to hold the layers.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Red Velvet Cookie Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350° F and greasing a 13×9 pan. Then, in a large bowl, mix the red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and one egg with an electric mixer—don’t use the box instructions here. This step is key because it transforms the cake mix into a cookie-like base that holds the layers without crumbling. Pour the batter evenly into the pan and bake for exactly 15 minutes. When it’s done, let it cool for at least 30 minutes. Patience here means you won’t end up with soggy layers later!

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Peppermint Layer

While the base cools, beat softened cream cheese with confectioners sugar and ¼ cup of milk until smooth. Then fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping and crushed peppermint candies for that holiday pop. Spread this creamy goodness over the cooled cookie base and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to set. The chill helps the next layers go on smoother without mixing together.

Step 3: Whip Up the Green Pudding Layer

In a fresh bowl, mix the remaining 2 ½ cups of milk with two boxes of vanilla instant pudding. Add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time until you reach that beautiful festive hue. Pour the pudding carefully over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let it set fully. The pudding layers give this dessert its signature “lasagna” look with a silky texture that contrasts perfectly with the denser base.

Step 4: Finish With Whipped Topping and Sprinkles

Right before serving, spread the remaining 8 ounces of whipped topping evenly over the green pudding layer. Then go ahead and sprinkle your favorite holiday-colored sprinkles on top for an extra festive touch. It’ll add a fun texture and make your dessert pop on any table.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've learned some little tweaks that make this Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe even better. These pointers will help you get the layers just right and impress your guests every time.

Cool Completely: Make sure the red velvet base is fully cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting or sliding layers.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid colorings can thin your pudding layer—gel coloring keeps the pudding thick and vibrant.
Chill Time Is Key: Don’t rush the refrigeration steps; setting fully between layers keeps the dessert neat when sliced.
Crush Peppermint Candies Finer: Larger chunks can be crunchy to bite through—grinding them smaller distributes flavor better.

How to Serve Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe

Christmas Red Velvet - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always love topping the final whipped layer with a generous handful of red and green holiday sprinkles—these tiny pops of color bring joy with every bite. Sometimes, I add a little extra crushed peppermint candy on top for crunch and festive aroma.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with a simple cup of hot cocoa or a light glass of sparkling cranberry juice. If you’re serving it after a hearty holiday meal, something light and refreshing like a spiced apple cider works wonders alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For a big party, I like serving this dessert in a clear trifle dish so everyone can admire the vibrant layers. Another fun idea is to cut it into squares and serve on decorative holiday platters with fresh mint leaves or even edible gold dust for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. This Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe stays fresh for 3-4 days, which is great if you want to prepare it a day or two ahead of your gathering.

Freezing

While I haven’t personally frozen this dessert often, you can freeze it in portions by wrapping pieces tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Just keep in mind the whipped topping texture may soften slightly after freezing.

Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed cold, so there’s no need to reheat. Just let any refrigerated leftovers sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and enhance the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe dairy-free?

Yes! I recommend using dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping alternatives. Be sure they have a firm texture to maintain the layered look, and choose a dairy-free pudding mix.

What’s the secret to a perfect red velvet base?

Mix the cake mix with melted butter and one egg, then bake for 15 minutes instead of following the box instructions. This makes the base more like a cookie that holds the layers well when chilled.

Can I skip the peppermint candies?

Absolutely! If peppermint isn’t your thing, just omit the crushed candies. You can add extra whipped topping or a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles instead for texture.

How early can I prepare this dessert?

You can assemble the entire dessert up to 2 days in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. The flavors meld together beautifully, and it will be ready to impress on game day or at your holiday party.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Red Velvet Dessert Lasagna Recipe has a special place in my heart because it’s one of those desserts that looks impressive but feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you’re bringing it to a party or making it for your family dessert table, I promise it’ll be a hit. Give it a try—you might just start a new holiday tradition!