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 (one container); 2 3/4 cups milk divided; 2 3.4 ounce packages vanilla instant pudding; Green gel food coloring; 16 ounces Cool Whip (second container); Christmas sprinkles and crushed candy canes for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 15 reviews

If you’re looking for a dazzling dessert that feels festive and indulgent all at once, you’ll love this Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe. Imagine layers of rich red velvet cake, creamy sweetened cream cheese, and a vibrant green pudding layer topped with fluffy whipped topping and seasonal sprinkles—it’s just about the most fun and colorful dessert you can make for the holidays. Stick around and I’ll walk you through every step so your Christmas dessert turns out absolutely spectacular.

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Why This Recipe Works

Layered Texture: Each layer brings a unique texture, from airy red velvet cake to creamy dreamy filling and pudding, creating a delightful bite every time.
Festive Flavors: Red velvet’s subtle cocoa and tang blends so well with cream cheese sweetness and peppermint crunch from crushed candy canes.
Simple Yet Impressive: Uses a box mix and instant pudding, so it’s approachable for all skill levels but still wow-worthy on the dessert table.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Needs chilling time, which means you can prep it ahead—perfect for holiday hosting stress relief.

Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert, festive red velvet dessert, holiday layered dessert, Christmas lasagna recipes, colorful holiday desserts - 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

This Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe blends easily accessible ingredients that complement one another beautifully. The boxed red velvet cake mix ensures that classic deep red, moist texture and subtle chocolate flavor. Then, creamy layers with cream cheese and Cool Whip bring richness and balance. The surprise hit is that green vanilla pudding—adding fun color and smoothness! Here are some tips on the ingredients you’ll be using:

Red Velvet Cake Mix: Using a box mix is a great time-saver but choose a high-quality brand for moistness and flavor.
Butter: Melting the butter before mixing helps the cake batter spread evenly and bake up tender.
Egg: This binds everything together for the cake layer – don’t skip or substitute without care.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is essential for smooth mixing – room temperature works best.
Confectioners Sugar: For a subtle sweetness without gritty texture.
Crushed Candy Canes: Adds festive peppermint crunch that makes the dessert extra special.
Milk: Divided between the layers, helps create the perfect consistency for pudding and cream cheese filling.
Cool Whip: Two containers are used; it lightens the filling and tops the dessert with fluffy goodness.
Vanilla Instant Pudding: Makes the green layer thick and smooth – classic taste everyone loves.
Green Gel Food Coloring: For that signature Christmas pop; add gradually to get your preferred shade.
Christmas Sprinkles: The finishing touch – pick your favorites for color and texture contrast on top!

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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 adaptable it is! I like to swap out peppermint candy canes for crushed Andes mints for a more chocolatey twist. You can even go dairy-free by using whipped coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese substitutes. Always feel empowered to layer up with your favorite flavors—the key is keeping those vibrant colors and creamy contrasts.

Variation: Last year, I added a thin layer of raspberry jam right on top of the red velvet to add a bit of fruity brightness, and it was a total hit with my friends.

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

Step 1: Bake the Red Velvet Cake Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, blend the red velvet cake mix with the melted butter and egg until smooth. Pour this batter evenly into the pan. Bake for about 15-18 minutes — watch for a toothpick to come out clean to know it’s done. Once baked, let it cool completely; this ensures the creamy layers on top won’t melt or slide off.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Layer

While the cake cools, mix the softened cream cheese with the confectioners sugar until creamy and smooth. Gradually add 1/4 cup of milk to lighten the texture, beating until silky. Next, fold in one whole container of Cool Whip and crushed candy canes for that peppermint crunch. This layer will spread beautifully over the cooled cake, adding a rich and sweet contrast.

Step 3: Prep and Add the Green Pudding Layer

In a separate bowl, whisk together the two packages of vanilla instant pudding with the remaining 2 1/2 cups milk until thickened. Add green gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach that fun “Grinch green” shade. Pour this pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer carefully, smoothing it out evenly. Pop the whole pan back into the fridge to chill and set for at least 4 hours — patience here pays off!

Step 4: Finish with Cool Whip and Garnishes

Once your pudding layer is set, spread the remaining container of Cool Whip on top evenly. Sprinkle with festive Christmas sprinkles and a few more crushed candy canes for crunch and color. This final touch makes your dessert look as joyful as it tastes and gets everyone excited to dig in!

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Don’t Rush the Cooling: Always let the cake cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer—it helps keep layers distinct and neat.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened cream cheese and slightly warmer milk help the filling come together smooth without lumps.
Crushed Candy Cane Size Matters: Keep candy cane pieces fairly small so they fold into the cream cheese layer easily without being too crunchy.
Be Patient Chilling: The 4-hour chill time is non-negotiable—it lets the pudding set perfectly so you get clean slices and layers.

How to Serve Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this dessert with extra crushed candy canes and a generous sprinkling of red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles—it instantly amps up that festive vibe. Sometimes, I add a few fresh mint leaves or a dusting of cocoa powder for a gourmet touch. These little extras make serving feel extra special without adding much effort.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of hot cocoa or spiced coffee to complement the sweet and creamy layers. For a party, I often serve it alongside fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or raspberries to add a refreshing contrast. It also works great after a savory holiday meal to round things off.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try making this as a trifle instead of a layered pan dessert—cube the red velvet cake, then layer it in clear glass bowls alternating with the cream cheese and pudding mixtures. It’s eye-catching and super easy to serve at gatherings. Another idea is to assemble mini versions in clear jars for individual portions that look adorable on a dessert buffet.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the layers fresh and prevents the whipped topping from drying out. It’s actually even better the next day because the flavors meld beautifully! I make sure to eat it within 3-4 days for the best taste and texture.

Freezing

While I’ve tried freezing this dessert, the Cool Whip topping doesn’t hold up perfectly after thawing—the texture can get a bit watery. If you want to freeze it, I recommend freezing the cake layer separately and assembling the creamy layers fresh after thawing. This way, the dessert stays vibrant and creamy.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t really necessary. If you prefer it slightly less cold, just let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving—this softens the layers a bit without compromising texture.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! This dessert actually benefits from being made ahead since it needs chilling for the pudding to set. Preparing it the day before your celebration helps save time and enhances the flavors.
Can I substitute homemade red velvet cake for the boxed mix?

You can definitely use homemade red velvet cake, just bake a thin layer in a 13×9 pan and cool completely before layering. The boxed mix just cuts down prep time without sacrificing flavor.
What if I don’t have green gel food coloring?

If you don’t have gel food coloring, you can use liquid food coloring but add it sparingly since gel tends to provide richer color with less liquid. Natural alternatives like matcha powder can also add color but will change the flavor.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped coconut cream instead of Cool Whip, and select a dairy-free red velvet cake mix or make your own dairy-free version.
What’s the best way to serve this dessert?

Keep it chilled until ready to serve, cut into squares with a sharp knife for clean layers, and garnish with festive sprinkles and crushed candy canes to wow your guests visually and flavor-wise.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Red Velvet Lasagna Dessert Recipe has become my go-to for holiday gatherings because it’s festive, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make. Every year, friends ask me to bring it because it stands out on the table and tastes just as good as it looks. Trust me, once you give it a try, it’ll become your favorite festive dessert too. So go ahead, give it a whirl this season—you’ll wow your family and maybe earn a spot as the house’s official holiday baker!