Name: Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert 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 ¾ cups milk divided; 2 boxes Vanilla Instant Pudding 5.1 ounce boxes; Green gel food coloring; 8 ounces Whipped topping; Holiday colored sprinkles

The cozy, minty layers and festive colors make this Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe a standout at any holiday gathering. It’s like a sweet holiday hug in every bite, combining creamy textures with that refreshing peppermint zing you just can’t resist.

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

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe quickly became a holiday tradition in my family because it feels special without being complicated. The layers come together in a snap, and the peppermint twist adds a fresh surprise that everyone raves about.

Layered Delight: The combination of red velvet, cream cheese, and mint pudding layers creates a festive look and a delicious flavor contrast that's truly irresistible.
Easy to Assemble: This dessert comes together without fancy techniques, perfect for when you want to relax and still impress your guests.
Customizable Flavors: You can dial up or down the peppermint, swap sprinkles, or even skip the candies for a milder version.
Great Make-Ahead Option: It sets in the fridge beautifully, meaning you can prepare it well before your party and avoid last-minute stress.

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 this Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe brings a special element to the table. From the rich red velvet base to the creamy peppermint-infused topping, these flavors and textures balance beautifully. Here’s a quick rundown to help you shop smart and understand what they do.

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: Using a boxed mix saves time, but you mix it like cookie dough for a firm, chewy base that holds up well.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps the cake layer develop a tender texture.
Egg: Binds the base ingredients to create that cookie-like consistency.
Cream Cheese: Offers tangy creaminess that complements the sweetness of the layers.
Confectioners Sugar: Perfect for sweetening the cream cheese without any gritty texture.
Crushed Peppermint Candies: Adds a minty crunch and festive spirit — crushing them yourself gives you control over the texture.
Milk: Divided for making the pudding and smoothing the cream cheese mixture.
Whipped Topping (like Cool Whip): Provides lightness and fluffy texture that's essential for layering.
Vanilla Instant Pudding Mixes: These create the luscious green peppermint-flavored center with ease.
Green Gel Food Coloring: Just a few drops turn the pudding that perfect holiday shade without altering flavor.
Holiday Colored Sprinkles: These add a joyful finishing touch, making the dessert truly festive.

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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

One of the best parts about this Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often adjust the peppermint level or swap out sprinkles based on who I’m serving it to—there’s no one-size-fits-all here, and that’s what makes it fun!

Lower Peppermint Intensity: When I’m making it for kids or folks who aren’t huge fans of mint, I leave out the crushed peppermint candies and use only the pudding’s subtle flavor.
Extra Festive: I’ve added red and green sprinkles or even mini chocolate chips for a fun twist that guests always ask about.
Dairy-Free Version: With suitable cream cheese substitutes and dairy-free pudding, this recipe can be adapted for those with dietary restrictions—though I recommend experimenting first for texture preferences.

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

Step 1: Baking the red velvet cookie base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9-inch baking pan. I love using a bit of non-stick spray and lining the pan with parchment—makes cleanup a breeze. Now, instead of following the cake box directions, mix the red velvet cake mix with melted butter and one large egg using an electric mixer. This creates a soft, cookie-like dough rather than a traditional cake batter. Spread it evenly over the pan, then bake for 15 minutes. When it comes out, let it cool for at least 30 minutes so the layers don’t mix later.

Step 2: Cream cheese peppermint layer

While the base cools, beat together cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth. Add ¼ cup milk to loosen the mixture slightly. Then fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping and your crushed peppermint candies for that signature burst of minty crunch. Spread this cool, creamy mixture evenly over the cooled base layer, and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: The festive green pudding layer

Next, whisk together the two boxes of vanilla instant pudding with 2 ½ cups of milk. I add green gel food coloring drop by drop until I reach that perfect holiday green—usually about 5 to 6 drops. Pour the pudding gently over the cream cheese layer and return the dessert to the fridge for at least two hours so it can properly set.

Step 4: Final whipped topping and festive sprinkles

When you’re ready to serve, spread the remaining 8 ounces of whipped topping smoothly over the chilled pudding layer. Finish by sprinkling on your favorite holiday-colored sprinkles—just enough to catch the eye and add a little crunch. Then slice and watch everyone’s smiles grow!

Top Tip

When I first tried this recipe, the biggest challenge was getting the layers to set firmly without blending together. After a few tries, I learned these simple tips make a huge difference.

Cool Completely: Make sure the red velvet base is fully cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to avoid melting the whipped topping.
Chill Between Layers: Refrigerate at least 30 minutes after each layer before adding the next to help everything stay neat and defined.
Mix Pudding Well: Whisk the pudding mixture thoroughly to avoid lumps and get a smooth, vibrant green layer.
Gentle Spreading: Use a flat spatula and go slowly when layering to keep the layers intact and pretty.

How to Serve Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this dessert with classic red and green holiday sprinkles because they add just the right festive pop. Sometimes I crush extra peppermint candies on top for an eye-catching crunch and boost of mint flavor. If you want to get playful, mini candy canes broken into pieces or edible glitter can make it sparkle at your holiday table.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully after a rich holiday meal—think roasted ham or turkey with savory sides. If your menu is on the lighter side, a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate or mulled cider alongside the lasagna is a lovely way to round things off.

Creative Ways to Present

For special holiday parties, I’ve served this in clear glass trifle bowls to show off the colorful layers—guests love the visual appeal! Individual mason jars or mini trifle cups make cute individual portions too, perfect for letting friends customize their garnish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After you’ve wowed the crowd, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and keep it refrigerated. I’ve found it stays fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days—sometimes even longer if it’s well covered.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this dessert because the texture changes with whipped topping and pudding, becoming less creamy after thawing. But if you want to freeze, freeze before adding the final whipped topping and sprinkles—then thaw in the fridge overnight and add topping fresh before serving.

Reheating

This dessert is best enjoyed cold straight from the fridge. Reheating isn’t recommended since it’ll melt the layers and change the textures. Just slice and serve chilled for that perfect cool and creamy bite.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use another flavor of cake mix instead of red velvet?

Absolutely! You can swap the red velvet for chocolate or even a spice cake mix, which brings a different holiday vibe. Just keep in mind the color contrast changes and adjust the peppermint candies accordingly for the best flavor balance.

What’s the best way to crush peppermint candies?

I usually place the peppermint candies in a zip-top bag and gently tap them with a rolling pin or heavy pan. You want small, crunchy bits, not powder. This method is quick, safe, and keeps clean-up easy.

Can I prepare this dessert a day ahead?

Yes! In fact, making this Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe a day ahead lets all the layers set perfectly and deepen the flavors. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving time.

Is there a way to make this less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet dessert, try reducing the confectioners sugar slightly in the cream cheese layer and using a low-sugar or sugar-free pudding mix. You can also skip the peppermint candies or use fewer sprinkles to keep things light.

Final Thoughts

Every holiday season, this Christmas Peppermint Lasagna Dessert Recipe reminds me why I love baking with family and friends. It’s an effortless dessert that brings so much festive joy and a little bit of magic to the table. I’m excited for you to try it—it’s one of those recipes that’ll have your guests asking for the secret, and you’ll be happy to share.