Name: Christmas Cookie Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 36 golden sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos), crushed; 1 (3.9 ounces/110 grams) package instant chocolate pudding mix; 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) package cream cheese, softened; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 ¾ cups cold milk; 2 cups whipped topping (like Cool Whip); Crushed peppermint candies or Christmas sprinkles; Mini chocolate chips or red and green M&Ms for garnish; Optional: Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies for added texture

Every holiday gathering needs a show-stopping christmas cookie lasagna that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Sweet layers of creamy goodness combine unexpected textures and flavors.

Crisp cookies nestle between rich cream cheese filling, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and surprising.

Nobody expects such a decadent treat to be this simple to assemble.

Chocolate and vanilla wafers provide the perfect foundation for this festive creation.

Guests will absolutely marvel at your culinary creativity.

Dive into this irresistible dessert that promises to become your new seasonal tradition.

A Festive Dessert Delight
Craft this showstopping dessert with minimal cooking skills, requiring just basic mixing and layering techniques that anyone can master in under 30 minutes.
Skip the oven and create a crowd-pleasing treat that sets perfectly in the refrigerator, making it stress-free for busy holiday entertaining and perfect for last-minute gatherings.
Personalize the dessert with different holiday sprinkles, candies, and chocolate chips to match your festive mood, creating a unique dessert that reflects your Christmas spirit.
Prepare this dessert a day in advance, allowing the layers to set perfectly and freeing up valuable time on Christmas day for family and festivities.

Base Layer:

Golden Sandwich Cookies: Provides the buttery, sweet foundation for the crust, classic choice for holiday desserts.
Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and creates a solid, compact crust base.

Creamy Layers:

Cream Cheese: Soft, rich cheese that forms the tangy base of the cheesecake layer, best when at room temperature.
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, light texture in the cheesecake mixture.
Whipped Topping: Provides a light, airy component to the layers, creates a fluffy and creamy consistency.

Chocolate and Festive Layers:

Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and smooth texture, quick and easy to prepare.
Cold Milk: Activates the pudding mix and creates a thick, creamy chocolate layer.
Peppermint Candies: Adds a festive crunch and classic holiday mint flavor.
Christmas Sprinkles: Provides colorful holiday decoration and festive visual appeal.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Offers extra chocolate texture and flavor throughout the dessert.
M&Ms: Brings colorful, chocolate candy pieces for additional sweetness and decoration.

Step 1: Crush Cookies

Grab golden sandwich cookies
Place cookies in a plastic bag
Use a rolling pin to crush cookies into fine crumbs
Transfer crumbs to a mixing bowl

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

Mix crushed cookies with melted butter until evenly combined. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Refrigerate while preparing other layers.

Step 3: Whip Cheesecake Layer

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in whipped topping until completely blended. Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over cookie base. Return to refrigerator.

Step 4: Prepare Chocolate Pudding Layer

Whisk instant chocolate pudding mix with cold milk until mixture thickens. Pour pudding over cheesecake layer, spreading carefully to cover completely.

Step 5: Decorate With Festive Toppings

Add whipped topping layer over pudding
Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies
Scatter Christmas sprinkles
Distribute mini chocolate chips
Add colorful M&Ms

Step 6: Chill And Set

Cover dessert with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow layers to set and flavors to meld.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Cut into squares. Serve chilled and watch everyone smile.

Tips for Layers That Hold Up and Stay Soft

Crush Cookies Thoroughly: Ensure golden sandwich cookies are finely crushed for a smooth, compact crust that holds together perfectly.
Soften Cream Cheese Completely: Let cream cheese reach room temperature before mixing to achieve a silky, lump-free cheesecake layer that spreads easily.
Control Pudding Consistency: Whisk pudding mix and milk precisely for 2 minutes to create the ideal thickness without becoming too runny or too firm.
Customize Festive Toppings: Experiment with different holiday sprinkles, candies, and chocolates to match your personal Christmas style and color scheme.
Chill for Maximum Flavor: Allow the dessert to set overnight for enhanced taste and a perfectly firm texture that slices beautifully.

Store the Christmas Cookie Lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Keep it covered with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
Wrap the dessert tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain texture and flavor.
Place a paper towel inside the container to absorb excess moisture and keep the layers crisp and fresh when storing in the refrigerator.
Remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the dessert to soften slightly for easier cutting and optimal taste.

What to Serve With This Layered Treat

Elevate Your Christmas Dessert Experience
Pair this sweet layered dessert with rich, deep hot chocolate garnished with marshmallows for a warming contrast that complements the chocolate pudding layer and enhances the holiday spirit.
Create a cool, refreshing peppermint milkshake that mirrors the crushed candy topping, providing a smooth liquid counterpoint to the dense, creamy dessert layers.
Serve alongside a gentle, aromatic chai or cinnamon-spiced tea that adds warmth and depth, cutting through the sweetness while highlighting the dessert's festive ingredients.
For grown-up gatherings, offer a small shot of smooth caramel liqueur that accentuates the dessert's rich cream cheese and chocolate notes with a sophisticated touch.

Creative Twists for Christmas Dessert Lasagna

Gluten-Free Holiday Treat: Replace golden sandwich cookies with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour cookies. Use gluten-free pudding mix and check all ingredient labels to ensure complete gluten-free compliance.
Low-Sugar Version: Substitute powdered sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Use sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat cream cheese. Swap regular chocolate chips for sugar-free chocolate chips to reduce overall sugar content.
Vegan Christmas Delight: Create a plant-based version using coconut cream cheese alternative, dairy-free whipped topping, and vegan chocolate pudding mix. Replace butter with coconut oil and use vegan cookie alternatives for the crust.
Keto-Friendly Option: Replace cookies with almond flour and crushed pecans for the crust. Use sugar-free pudding, cream cheese sweetened with erythritol, and low-carb whipped cream. Choose sugar-free chocolate chips and exclude festive sprinkles to maintain low-carb profile.

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

Grilling Techniques and Innovations
Recipe Development and Testing
Culinary Education and Workshops
Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking.

Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.