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Decadent No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna: The Ultimate Easy Dessert

Indulge in pure chocolate bliss with this incredible No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna! Featuring layers of rich chocolate pudding, a creamy dreamy cheese filling, and a crushed Oreo cookie crust, it’s a guaranteed hit with any crowd. This delightful dessert offers an unparalleled combination of textures and flavors, making it the perfect treat for any occasion, especially when you need something simple yet spectacular.

Semi-Homemade Chocolate Desserts, like this luxurious Chocolate Lasagna, are an absolute lifesaver, especially during the warmer months. Imagine cooling off on a hot summer’s day with a generous slice of this decadent, chilled dessert – it’s pure heaven! The convenience of a no-bake recipe means less time in a hot kitchen and more time enjoying deliciousness. It’s so good, you might just find yourself reaching for a second slice!

Chocolate Lasagna slice on a square white plate

Why This No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna is Your Next Go-To Dessert

Every now and then, life calls for a show-stopping dessert that doesn’t demand hours of effort. I recently found myself in such a situation after a particularly busy weekend. My family was exhausted from various festivities, and the weather was unusually warm for May, feeling more like the peak of August. A spectacular, yet easy, dessert was definitely in order. This No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna perfectly fit the bill, offering a refreshing escape from the heat and a delightful end to our family gathering.

Here are just a few compelling reasons why this chocolate dessert lasagna will become a staple in your recipe collection:

Perfect for Hot Days: When the sun is shining and the temperatures soar, turning on the oven is the last thing you want to do. A cool, refreshing, no-bake dessert is the ultimate solution. This chocolate lasagna provides a delightful chill that perfectly complements warm weather, making it an ideal summer dessert.
Effortless Preparation with Shortcuts: We all love a good shortcut, and this recipe embraces them! By utilizing instant pudding mix, you cut down significantly on prep time without sacrificing flavor. It’s a “semi-homemade” masterpiece that tastes utterly gourmet, proving that impressive desserts don’t always require complex techniques.
Impressive Three-Layer Presentation: The distinct, beautifully layered appearance of this dessert is sure to wow your guests. From the dark Oreo crust to the light, creamy cheese layer and the rich chocolate pudding, each layer adds visual appeal and a unique texture, culminating in a dessert that looks far more intricate than it actually is. It’s an elegant dessert that’s simple to achieve.
Make-Ahead Convenience: This dessert requires several hours of chilling, making it a fantastic make-ahead option. Prepare it the day before your event, and it will be perfectly set and ready to serve when you need it, freeing up your valuable time for other preparations.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: Who can resist chocolate, cream cheese, and Oreos? This combination of classic flavors ensures that every bite is a hit. It’s a universally loved dessert that appeals to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and parties.

Crafting Your Perfect Chocolate Lasagna: A Step-by-Step Guide

While many chocolate lasagna recipes call for ingredients like Cool Whip, I’ve found that a doctored-up homemade whipped cream not only tastes infinitely better but also avoids certain unwelcome side effects. Similarly, while homemade chocolate pudding is a delightful endeavor, the convenience of instant pudding cannot be overstated when you need a quick yet delicious dessert. This recipe strikes a perfect balance between speed and quality, ensuring a dessert that everyone will rave about. As predicted, my entire family declared this No-Bake Chocolate Dessert an absolute winner!

Let’s break down the layers and the simple process to create this chocolate masterpiece:

Layer 1: The Irresistible Oreo Cookie Crust

Start with a full package of Oreos (about 36 cookies). You’ll want to crush these into fine crumbs. A food processor makes this task incredibly easy and quick, but you can also place the cookies in a large Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin for a fun, stress-relieving activity!
Once you have fine crumbs, melt 6 tablespoons of butter and stir it into the Oreo crumbs until they are well combined. The butter acts as a binder, ensuring your crust holds together beautifully.
Press this mixture firmly and evenly onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch Pyrex or baking dish. Use the bottom of a glass or a flat measuring cup to help you create a compact, smooth crust.
Place the crust in the refrigerator to chill for at least 15-20 minutes while you prepare the next layer. This chilling time is crucial for the crust to set and become firm, preventing it from crumbling when sliced.

Layer 2: The Creamy Dreamy Cheese Layer

In a large mixing bowl, beat 12 ounces of cream cheese until it’s fluffy and smooth. PRO-Tip: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature! This is key for achieving a smooth, lump-free mixture that incorporates easily with other ingredients. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy layer.
Gradually add ⅔ cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk to the cream cheese mixture, beating until everything is well combined and creamy.
In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This homemade whipped cream provides a light, airy texture and a superior flavor compared to store-bought alternatives.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. This creates a light, tangy, and incredibly smooth layer.
Carefully spread slightly less than half of this cream cheese mixture evenly over your chilled Oreo crust. Use an offset spatula for easy spreading. Return the dish to the refrigerator.

Layer 3: The Rich Chocolate Pudding Layer

In another bowl, whisk together two 3.9-ounce packages of instant chocolate pudding mix with 3¼ cups of cold milk. Whisk continuously until the pudding begins to thicken. It’s important to use cold milk for instant pudding to set properly.
Once the pudding has slightly thickened, carefully pour and spread it over the cream cheese layer in your baking dish.
Chill the dessert for an additional 5-10 minutes. This brief chill helps the pudding layer set a little more, making it easier to add the final cream cheese layer without it sinking.

Layer 4: The Finishing Cream Cheese Touch and Garnish

Retrieve the dish from the refrigerator. Now, carefully spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the pudding layer. I find it easiest to place several small dollops of the cream cheese mixture across the surface of the pudding, then gently spread them together using an offset spatula. This technique helps prevent the pudding layer from mixing with the cream cheese.
Finally, garnish your beautiful chocolate lasagna with 1½ cups of mini chocolate chips. You can also add chocolate shavings, a dusting of cocoa powder, or even some crushed Oreos for extra flair.
The most important step for perfection: Chill the entire dessert for several hours, or ideally, overnight, before serving. This allows all the layers to set completely and the flavors to meld together, ensuring clean, beautiful slices.

Overhead view of Chocolate Lasagna in pyrex dish

A Collaborative Creation: Thanks to Two Sweetie Pies!

I must extend my sincere gratitude to my wonderful friend, Danielle, for sharing this magnificent recipe! She truly is my go-to blogger for truly decadent and crowd-pleasing treats. I promise you, anything you try from her blog will be a resounding success. We love collaborating and share a recipe from each other’s sites every second Monday of the month, which is always a delightful tradition.

I encourage you to explore Danielle’s take on this dessert lasagna and discover more of her fantastic recipes. You can also connect with her across various social media platforms to stay updated on her latest creations!

Hugs & Cookies XOXO – Facebook – Pinterest – Twitter – Instagram

Forkful of Chocolate Lasagna| in front of a slice on a square white plate

More Indulgent Chocolate Dessert Ideas

If you’re a true chocolate lover like me, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy this beloved treat. Here are some other fabulous chocolate dessert recipes from talented bloggers that you might enjoy:

Chocolate Pudding Pie from Melanie Makes
Candy Bar Cheesecake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Chocolate Fudge Pecan Pie from Inside BruCrew Life
Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Bundt Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Chocolate Tacos from Love from the Oven
Discover even more incredible Chocolate Recipes

The Recipe:

Chocolate Lasagna

Prep Time
45 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Yield
18 servings

A dreamy chocolate layered no-bake dessert, perfect for any occasion and especially delightful on a hot day!

Ingredients

1 package Oreos (36 cookies)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
⅔ cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
2 3.9-ounce packages Chocolate Instant Pudding
3 ¼ cups cold milk
1 ½ cups mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Pulse Oreos in the food processor until they form fine crumbs.
Stir in the melted butter until the crumbs are thoroughly moistened, then press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch Pyrex or baking dish.
Chill the crust in the refrigerator for a few minutes while you prepare the next layer.
Meanwhile, in a mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese until it is light and fluffy. Add the milk and powdered sugar, and mix until well combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
Spread slightly less than half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled Oreo crust.
In another bowl, mix the instant pudding mixes with the cold milk, whisking briskly until combined and the pudding begins to thicken. Spread this thickened pudding layer over the cream cheese layer. Chill the dessert for 5-10 minutes.
Carefully spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the pudding layer. To do this without disturbing the pudding, place many small dollops of the cream cheese mixture across the surface and then gently use an offset spatula to spread them together.
Sprinkle mini chocolate chips generously over the top of the dessert for a final touch and added chocolate flavor.
Chill the Chocolate Lasagna for several hours, or preferably overnight, before slicing and serving. This allows all layers to set completely and flavors to fully develop.

Notes

Total time listed reflects active preparation time and does not include the essential chilling time required for the dessert to set.

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

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Effortless Chocolate Layered Delight