If there’s one dessert that captures the spirit of the holidays and makes everyone smile, it’s this Festive Christmas Lasagna. Imagine a glorious, colorful creation that layers together rich red velvet, creamy filling, and delightful toppings that sparkle just like the twinkle lights on your Christmas tree. The first time I made this, my family couldn’t believe their eyes. They thought I had outdone myself, but little did they know it’s as easy as it is impressive. You know, it’s basically dessert lasagna, and who doesn’t love dessert that works hard to be delicious and beautiful?
This whimsical twist on traditional lasagna gets everyone into the festive mood, bringing joy and laughter to the table with each frosty bite. I love how the rich red base contrasts with the bright green spinach filling, topped with a sprinkle of colorful candies. It’s not just food; it’s a conversation starter! Plus, the edible glitter adds that extra bit of magic that will make you feel like a holiday gift-giving guru. So, let’s dive into how you can create this beauty for your own festive gatherings!
What’s in Festive Christmas Lasagna?
- All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of our red velvet base. I usually go with Gold Medal for its consistent quality.
- Granulated sugar: It adds just the right level of sweetness to balance the rich flavors.
- Vegetable oil: This keeps the cake moist; you can use canola oil if that’s your preference.
- Eggs: Large eggs help bind all the ingredients together.
- Buttermilk: This adds a lovely tanginess to the red velvet, making it super rich.
- Baking soda: A must for leavening, making sure your cake rises perfectly!
- Vanilla extract: Because what’s a dessert without a little vanilla magic?
- Cocoa powder: It gives that subtle chocolate flavor—after all, a red velvet is never complete without chocolate!
- Red food coloring: This is what gives our lasagna its signature festive hue. Feel free to use gel food coloring for a deeper color.
- Ricotta cheese: Key player in our creamy filling, it’s creamy and slightly sweet.
- Mascarpone cheese: This adds an ultra-rich texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- Spinach: Chopped finely for that vibrant “green” layer. It’s like sneaky nutrition! Who can resist that?
- Parmesan cheese: For a salty depth that lifts the dish beautifully.
- Heavy cream: To make everything smooth and luscious. Yes, please!
- Garlic powder: A pinch of savory in a predominantly sweet dessert? You bet!
- Salt and pepper: A touch of both enhances all those flavors beautifully.
- Mini marshmallows: These are just pure fun and add a fluffy texture on top!
- Red and green candies: My friends, this is where you can go wild. You can use M&Ms, chocolate-covered pretzels, or whatever festive candy you fancy!
- Edible glitter: This is what truly makes this lasagna sparkle and shine just like your holiday spirit!
Is Festive Christmas Lasagna Good for You?
This festive delight is definitely a treat rather than a health food—perfect for those special occasions! The ricotta and mascarpone cheese provide some protein and calcium, while the spinach sneaks in a dose of nutrients. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a dessert, so take it easy if you’re watching your sugar intake. The heavy cream and granulated sugar make it rich and indulgent. But hey, it’s the holidays, right? Enjoy it with friends and family in moderation, and consider pairing it with a light fruit salad or a cheeseboard for a more balanced spread!
Ingredients List
- For the Red Velvet Base:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- For the Creamy Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup spinach, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For Topping:
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup red and green candies
- Edible glitter, for garnish
How to Make Festive Christmas Lasagna?
- Prepare the Red Velvet Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ones until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes—watch for that toothpick to come out clean! Allow it to cool completely.
- Make the Creamy Filling: In a mixer bowl (or with a good ol’ whisk), blend together ricotta, mascarpone, finely chopped spinach, parmesan, heavy cream, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Get that mixture nice and smooth.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Once the red velvet cake has cooled, slice it in half. Use one layer as your base. Spread a generous layer of the creamy filling on top, and gently place the other half of the red velvet cake on top before finishing off with the remaining filling.
- Add Toppings: Go wild on top with mini marshmallows, red and green candies, and a sprinkle of edible glitter for that sparkly festive flair.
- Chill and Serve: Pop the lasagna in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set before slicing. It helps everything meld together and makes for cleaner slices—hello, Instagram moments!
Tips for Your Festive Christmas Lasagna
- Want to save time? You can make the red velvet cake a day ahead. Just wrap it well and keep it in the fridge!
- Feel free to swap spinach for another green like kale or even shredded zucchini to switch things up!
- If you’re not going wild on the sugar, a sprinkle of crushed nuts or maybe coconut flakes could add a beautiful crunch on top.
This Festive Christmas Lasagna is just as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds and will surely delight everyone at your holiday dinner. Don’t forget to share your experiences after making this stunning treat—I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you. Happy baking and cheers to delicious memories during this magical season!
