Description

This Christmas Cookie Lasagna is a delightful no-bake holiday dessert featuring layers of crushed festive cookies, creamy sweetened cream cheese, and instant vanilla pudding. It’s an easy-to-make, refrigerator-set treat perfect for holiday gatherings, garnished with crushed candy canes, sprinkles, and white chocolate shavings for a festive touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

3 cups crushed Christmas cookies or graham crackers
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted

Cream Cheese Layer

8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup heavy cream or whipped topping (from 1 cup total)

Pudding Layer

1 package (3.4 oz / 96g) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 ½ cups (360ml) cold milk

Topping

½ cup heavy cream or whipped topping (remaining half of 1 cup)
Crushed candy canes (optional garnish)
Christmas sprinkles (optional garnish)
White chocolate shavings (optional garnish)

Instructions

Prepare Cookie Crust: 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 this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the crust in the refrigerator and chill for 15-20 minutes to set firmly.
Create Cream Cheese Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat 8 oz (225g) softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gently fold in ½ cup of the heavy cream or whipped topping until fully incorporated and smooth. Set this cream cheese mixture aside.
Prepare Pudding Layer: In another large bowl, whisk 1 package (3.4 oz / 96g) of instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 ½ cups (360ml) cold milk vigorously for at least 2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Let it stand for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the pudding to fully set.
Assemble the Lasagna: Remove the chilled cookie crust from the refrigerator. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust layer carefully. Next, gently spread the thickened pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer, taking care not to mix the layers. Finally, spread the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream or whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, or ideally overnight, to ensure the dessert sets completely.
Garnish and Serve: After thorough chilling, remove the dessert from the refrigerator. Garnish the top with festive toppings like crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, or white chocolate shavings to add color and texture. Use a sharp knife, warmed under hot water and wiped clean between cuts, to slice the lasagna into squares or rectangles. Serve immediately and enjoy this creamy, festive treat.

Notes

This dessert must be chilled for several hours or overnight to ensure proper setting and ease of slicing.
You can substitute whipped topping in place of heavy cream for a lighter texture.
Crushed Christmas cookies can include sugar cookies, shortbread, or gingerbread for varied flavors.
For enhanced flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese layer.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cookie dessert, no-bake holiday dessert, Christmas cookie lasagna, layered pudding dessert, festive no-bake dessert