Dreamy Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna Recipe for Sweet Success

Cool nights call for indulgent chocolate peppermint lasagna that melts away winter blues.

Sweet layers of creamy goodness create a dessert paradise.

Decadent chocolate cookies form the perfect crisp base for this dreamy treat.

Peppermint adds a refreshing zing to each delightful bite.

Chilled pudding promises silky smooth textures that dance across your palate.

Whipped cream crowns this spectacular dessert with cloudlike elegance.

You’ll want to grab a spoon and dive into pure bliss.

Sharing becomes optional when such deliciousness sits before you.

Why Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna Feels Like a Holiday Treat

• No oven needed means minimal effort with maximum deliciousness, perfect for busy home cooks who want impressive desserts without complex techniques.
• Prepare this dessert up to a day in advance, allowing you to relax and enjoy gatherings without last-minute stress while delivering a showstopping treat.
• Combines classic chocolate and cool peppermint in a playful layered dessert that captures the magical essence of holiday celebrations with every creamy, crunchy bite.
• Appeals to all ages with its sweet, rich flavors and fun texture, making it an ideal dessert for family gatherings, potlucks, and seasonal parties.

Ingredients That Layer Perfectly in This Cool Dessert

• Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: A key foundation for the crunchy base, provides rich chocolate flavor and texture. Best when finely crushed for a smooth, even layer.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs together, creating a solid and cohesive crust.

• Cream Cheese: Adds creamy richness and helps create a smooth, tangy base for the filling. Room temperature cream cheese blends more easily.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture and balances the tangy flavor.
• Peppermint Extract: Delivers a cool, refreshing mint flavor that complements the chocolate. Use pure extract for the best taste.
• Whipped Topping, Whipped Cream: Provides lightness and volume to the cream layer. Fresh whipped cream offers a richer taste.
• Candy Canes: Adds festive peppermint crunch and visual appeal. Crush finely for even distribution.

• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: Creates a rich, smooth chocolate layer with minimal effort. Instant mix ensures quick setting.
• Cold Milk: Activates the pudding mix and creates a creamy, thick chocolate layer.
• Whipped Topping, Whipped Cream: Provides a light, airy final layer. Optional garnish of extra crushed candy canes or chocolate adds texture.

How to Assemble Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna with Ease

Assemble Chocolate Cookie Base

Crush chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin. Mix crumbs with melted butter and press firmly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Chill in refrigerator.

• Chocolate sandwich cookies
• Melted butter

Create Creamy Peppermint Layer

Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add peppermint extract and fold in whipped topping. Stir in crushed candy canes. Spread evenly over chilled cookie base.

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Peppermint extract
• Whipped topping
• Crushed candy canes

Prepare Chocolate Pudding Layer

Whisk instant chocolate pudding mix with cold milk until thickened. Spread evenly over peppermint cream layer.

• Instant chocolate pudding mix
• Cold milk

Add Whipped Topping Finish

Cover pudding layer with whipped topping. Sprinkle with additional crushed candy canes, shaved chocolate, or chocolate chips.

• Whipped topping
• Crushed candy canes
• Shaved chocolate
• Chocolate chips

Chill and Serve

Refrigerate dessert for at least 4 hours until completely set. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Tips for Clean Layers and Peppermint Crunch

• Crush Cookies Completely: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create super fine cookie crumbs for a smoother, more consistent crust that holds together perfectly.
• Chill for Better Layers: Refrigerate each layer after spreading to help the dessert set firmly and prevent mixing between different textures.
• Handle Cream Cheese Carefully: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps and create a silky smooth cream layer.
• Customize Candy Crunch: Experiment with different peppermint candies or swap candy canes with chocolate-covered peppermint pieces for extra flavor variety.
• Make Ahead Friendly: This dessert tastes even better when prepared a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and layers to set completely.

Storage Tips That Keep This Lasagna Firm and Fresh

• Store the Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire dessert in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• This dessert is best enjoyed cold. Avoid microwaving, as it will compromise the layered texture and cause ingredients to separate. Remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
• Place a paper towel over the dessert before sealing the container to absorb excess moisture and maintain the crisp crust and creamy layers.

What to Serve Alongside This Cool Dessert

• Select a robust, slightly sweet red wine like port or late harvest zinfandel that complements the chocolate's deep flavor and matches the dessert's decadent profile.
• Create a festive peppermint martini using vodka, peppermint schnapps, and a candy cane rim to echo the dessert's minty undertones and enhance the overall experience.
• Brew a chilled espresso or affogato to provide a sharp, intense coffee contrast that cuts through the dessert's creamy sweetness and highlights its rich chocolate notes.
• Pour a light, bubbly Moscato d'Asti that offers gentle sweetness and effervescence, balancing the dessert's richness while adding a playful, celebratory touch to the dessert course.

Fun Flavor Variations to Shake Things Up

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna: Replace chocolate sandwich cookies with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour-based cookies. Use certified gluten-free pudding mix and ensure all ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Vegan Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Dessert: Substitute dairy ingredients with coconut cream, vegan cream cheese, and plant-based whipped topping. Use vegan chocolate cookies and dairy-free chocolate pudding mix. Replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk.
• Reduced Sugar Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna: Use sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat cream cheese. Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Select reduced-sugar whipped topping to lower overall dessert calories.
• Dairy-Free Candy Cane Chocolate Layer Dessert: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream cheese alternative. Use coconut whipped topping and dairy-free milk. Select dairy-free chocolate pudding mix to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate peppermint lasagna delivers a delightful twist on classic dessert layers, blending rich chocolate and cool mint in a heavenly no-bake treat. Creamy pudding, crushed cookies, and whipped topping create an irresistible dessert you’ll crave after every meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main ingredients:

• 24 chocolate sandwich cookies
• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese
• 1 package (3.9 ounces / 110 grams) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) cold milk

Sweeteners and extras:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (50 grams) crushed candy canes
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Dairy and topping ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 ½ cups (600 milliliters) whipped topping or heavy cream
• Additional crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
• Shaved chocolate or chocolate chips (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pulverize chocolate sandwich cookies into a fine, uniform powder using a food processor or by sealing them in a sturdy bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
2. Merge the cookie crumb mixture with melted butter, pressing firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish, creating a compact foundation. Refrigerate while preparing subsequent layers.
3. Whip cream cheese and sugar together until achieving a silky, uniform consistency without lumps.
4. Infuse the mixture with peppermint extract, then tenderly incorporate whipped topping and fold in crushed candy canes, creating a vibrant, textured layer.
5. Distribute the peppermint cream mixture evenly across the chilled cookie base, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Prepare instant chocolate pudding by whisking with cold milk until it thickens and develops a smooth texture, approximately two minutes.
7. Carefully spread the chocolate pudding over the peppermint cream layer, maintaining an even distribution.
8. Crown the dessert with a generous layer of whipped topping, creating a cloud-like surface.
9. Embellish the top with additional crushed candy canes, delicate chocolate shavings, or scattered chocolate chips for visual appeal and textural contrast.
10. Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours, allowing layers to set and flavors to meld completely.
11. When ready to serve, slice into neat squares and present directly from the refrigerator for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Crush cookies thoroughly to create a fine, even base that holds together perfectly when chilled.
• Use a food processor for consistent cookie crumb texture, ensuring a smooth and compact crust layer.
• Experiment with different mint extracts like peppermint oil or spearmint for unique flavor variations.
• Swap regular cookies with gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions and make the dessert more inclusive.
• Chill the dessert overnight for deeper flavor melding and firmer texture, allowing ingredients to fully set and combine.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg