Description
A festive and easy dessert featuring layers of sugar cookies, cream cheese, pudding, and whipped topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 36–48 prepared Christmas sugar cookies, cooled and firm
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (optional for crust)
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) cold milk, divided
- 1 package (3.4 oz / 96g) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or whipped topping
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Peppermint extract (optional)
- Red or green food coloring (optional)
- Crushed candy canes (for garnish)
- Christmas sprinkles (for garnish)
- Mini chocolate chips or white chocolate shavings (for garnish)
- Maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry (for garnish)
Instructions
- Ensure your prepared Christmas sugar cookies are completely cooled and firm. Crush 12 to 15 cookies for the base if desired.
- If making a crushed base, combine the cookie crumbs with melted butter and press into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Chill for 15-20 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Gradually add ½ cup cold milk and vanilla extract. Optional: add food coloring.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over the chilled crust. Return to refrigerator.
- In another bowl, combine pudding mix with the remaining cold milk. Whisk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Add peppermint extract and food coloring if desired.
- Spread pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer and chill for another 15-20 minutes.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form, then spread over the pudding layer.
- Arrange remaining Christmas cookies on top, pressing lightly to nestle in. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, decorate with crushed candy canes, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and maraschino cherries. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Notes
Best if made the night before to allow flavors to meld. Can be customized with different extracts or toppings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Christmas dessert, cookie lasagna, holiday recipe, festive dessert