Hot Chocolate Lasagna is a no-bake dessert with layers of Oreo crust, creamy hot chocolate mousse, mini marshmallows, rich chocolate pudding, and hot cocoa whipped topping. Topped with more marshmallows, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream! Who says you can’t have lasagna for dessert?!? If you love this dessert lasagna, be sure to check out my Birthday Cake Lasagna for a fun twist on celebration desserts! It’s packed with all the colorful, sweet goodness of a birthday cake in a layered form!
This recipe is adapted from Centercutcook’s amazing (and original!) Chocolate Lasagna.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Crust: I love the added chocolate that an Oreo crust gives this dessert. Crush the Oreos in a food processor or crush them in a sealed bag with a rolling pin or wine bottle. A store-bought crust would also work, but it might be thinner. If you don’t have Oreo cookies, try using chocolate graham crackers. Or, swap the chocolate crust with a regular graham cracker or a sugar cookie crust!
- Hot Cocoa Whipped Cream: If you have made my delicious hot cocoa mix for winter, it’s perfect for the hot cocoa whipped cream, too! And, if you want homemade whipped cream that holds its shape (perfect for layered desserts), be sure to check out my stabilized whipped cream recipe!
- Hot Chocolate Mousse Layer: The hot chocolate mousse layer is a creamy mixture (like a cheesecake mousse) made with butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar), and vanilla. Then, hot cocoa whipped cream is folded in, making it light, airy, and rich in flavor.
- Pudding: Look for two boxes (3.9 ounces each) of chocolate fudge instant pudding mix. Chocolate instant pudding mix would also work–it just won’t have as intense of a chocolate flavor. The dessert will still be delicious, though!
- Marshmallows: If you are feeling motivated, make homemade mini marshmallows to use in the dessert! They are layered in the hot chocolate lasagna as well as sprinkled on top! For more of a mug of hot chocolate effect, add dehydrated marshmallows on top. (I used those for my Hot Chocolate Cheesecake Bars.)
Can You Make Hot Chocolate Lasagna Without Hot Cocoa?
Absolutely! If you don’t have hot cocoa mix, just skip it in the hot cocoa whipped cream step and use regular whipped cream instead. Then, fold the regular whipped cream into the mousse layer as usual. This will still give you a delicious, creamy dessert without the hot cocoa flavor!
Can You Make Hot Chocolate Lasagna Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make hot chocolate lasagna ahead of time. In fact, this dessert needs time to set in the refrigerator (best when chilled overnight). So, it is the perfect make-ahead dessert!
Can You Add Other Flavors To Hot Chocolate Lasagna?
Yes, you can add other flavors to the layers! For the mousse, try peppermint extract for a fun twist. You can also use different pudding flavors like vanilla, butterscotch, or chocolate mint for a new taste.
Can You Use A Different Pan For Hot Chocolate Lasagna?
Yes, you can use a different pan! If you use a bigger pan, like a 9×13-inch baking dish, the layers will be thinner, so you might need less chill time. If you use a smaller pan, like an 8×8-inch dish, the layers will be thicker, and you may need a bit more chill time. Just make sure the layers are spread out evenly!
How To Store Hot Chocolate Lasagna
Store hot chocolate lasagna in the refrigerator, covered. It will last up to 3 days. When serving, don’t leave it out at room temperature too long–you don’t want the layers to soften too much! For longer storage, you could freeze the dessert for up to a month. But, if freezing, the texture of the mousse and pudding layers may change. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Hot Chocolate Lasagna
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups crushed Oreo sandwich cookies, approximately 20 cookies
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Hot Cocoa Whipped Cream
- 1 container (16 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
- 4 tablespoons hot cocoa mix
Hot Chocolate Mousse Layer
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pudding Layer
- 2 boxes (3.9 ounces each) chocolate fudge instant pudding mix
- 2 ¾ cups whole milk, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows, divided
Instructions
Crust
- Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the Oreo cookie crumbs with the melted butter, mixing thoroughly with a fork until all crumbs are evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the lined baking dish. Using your hand or a flat-bottomed glass, smooth it into an even layer. Set aside.
Hot Cocoa Whipped Cream
- In a large mixing bowl, stir the whipped topping and hot cocoa mix together until fully blended and smooth.
- Divide the mixture in half, setting aside one portion for the mousse layer and the other for the topping.
Hot Chocolate Mousse Layer
- Using a hand mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold half of the hot chocolate whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined.
- Spread the mousse evenly over the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the pudding.
Pudding
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk until it begins to thicken. (You can also use a handheld mixer.)
Layering and Final Chill
- Remove the dessert from the refrigerator.
- Evenly sprinkle 1 cup of the mini marshmallows over the mousse layer. Set aside the remaining ½ cup for garnish. Then, carefully spread the pudding on top.
- Spread the remaining hot cocoa whipped cream evenly over the top.
- Place the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, up to overnight, to fully set all the layers.
- Before serving, garnish the dessert with the reserved mini marshmallows. Slice and serve chilled.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This dessert is the ultimate treat! It's rich, creamy, and has a subtle hot chocolate flavor! It's so good!
Elizabeth
This is my kind of dessert! It has a little bit of the hot chocolate flavor, which was perfect. I would top it with chocolate chips instead of marshmallows.
Stephanie
If you love chocolate, you will love this! The layers blend so well together. The marshmallows on top are a fun touch.
Bella
This hot chocolate lasagna is creative and delicious! I love how it mimics the flavors of hot chocolate.
Annabelle
This dessert reminds me a little of the dessert 'dirt cups' with the layers. Yum!
