Dessert

Christmas Cookie Lasagna: Easy No-Bake Holiday Dessert Recipe

ByCleo Brixton February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

Introduction

Celebrate the holidays with a festive, no-bake Christmas Cookie Lasagna. This easy layered dessert combines crushed cookies, creamy fillings, and optional seasonal garnishes for a crowd-pleasing treat that requires no oven time.

The image shows a Christmas-themed layered dessert in a clear glass square dish. There are three layers of creamy white filling mixed with colorful red and green sprinkles, separated by two layers of light brown crumbly cookie or graham cracker crust. The top layer is decorated with thick, swirled white whipped cream, sprinkled with red, green, and white round sprinkles, chocolate chips, and crumbled cookie pieces. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with festive red ornaments nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups crushed Christmas cookies or graham crackers
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or whipped topping
1 package (3.4 oz / 96g) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 ½ cups (360ml) cold milk
Crushed candy canes (optional garnish)
Christmas sprinkles (optional garnish)
White chocolate shavings (optional garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Crush 3 cups of your favorite Christmas cookies or graham crackers until fine. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs with ½ cup melted unsalted butter. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gently fold in ½ cup of the heavy cream or whipped topping until no streaks remain. Set aside.
Step 3: In another large bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 ½ cups cold milk vigorously for at least 2 minutes, until thickened. Let stand for 2-3 minutes to set further.
Step 4: Retrieve the chilled cookie crust. Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust. Gently spread the thickened pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer. Finally, spread the remaining ½ cup heavy cream or whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours, ideally overnight, to allow it to set completely.
Step 5: Once thoroughly chilled, remove from the refrigerator. Garnish with optional festive toppings like crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, or white chocolate shavings. Use a sharp knife (run under hot water and wiped clean for each cut) to slice into squares or rectangles and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use peppermint-flavored cookies or add a drop of peppermint extract to the cream cheese layer for an extra holiday twist.
For a lighter version, substitute half of the cream cheese with mascarpone or Greek yogurt.
Try layering with crushed gingerbread cookies for a spicier flavor profile.

Storage

Store the leftover Christmas Cookie Lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To serve, slice and enjoy cold or let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes for a softer texture. Do not freeze, as the layers may separate upon thawing.

How to Serve

A close-up of a layered dessert in a clear square glass dish, showing three visible layers of light cream mixed with red and green candy pieces, separated by crumbly golden cookie or cake layers. The top layer has swirled white whipped cream piped in decorative peaks, sprinkled generously with red and green sprinkles, chocolate chips, crushed golden cookie crumbs, and small round red and green candy balls, creating a festive look. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with blurred red and gold Christmas decorations in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, this no-bake lasagna is perfect for making a day or two in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and covered until ready to serve.

Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant pudding mix?

You can, but instant pudding sets firmer and helps the layers hold together better. If you use homemade pudding, make sure it is thick enough and chilled before layering.