This Chocolate Lasagna has readers raving, โAnother one knocked out of the park!โ โa HUGE hit,โ and โCanโt wait to make it again!!โ
It boasts extra layers of creamy, fluffy, chocolaty decadence made with homemade whipped toppingโno artificial Cool Whip here! The recipe is expertly tested, provides a foolproof method for pristine layers and tips for making ahead, and is guaranteed to impress, making it perfect for potlucks, holidays, or whenever a chocolate craving strikes.
Chocolate desserts are their own fabulous brand of scrumptious. If youโre a chocolate lover, donโt miss these tried-and-true chocolate recipes: Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Pies, Chocolate Butterfinger Pie, Chocolate รclair Cake, Chocolate Raspberry Cake, Chocolate Mousse Cake and German Chocolate Cheesecake.
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Chocolate Lasagna Recipe Video
What is Chocolate Lasagna?
Chocolate Lasagna is a layered, no-bake dessert made popular by Olive Garden.ย It’s stunning, silky, creamy, chocolaty, light, fluffy, and divinely delicious. It’s nestled in an Oreo crust, mounded withย layers of fudgy chocolate ganache, creamy cheesecake, silky chocolate pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and more crushed Oreos to create a dessert that screams to you as it chills in the refrigerator, beckoning for its sensational layers to glide down your throat.ย ย
Why You’ll Love Our Chocolate Lasagna
Iโve experimented and perfected this recipe to bring you an easy-to-follow tutorial with step-by-step photos, expert tips for foolproof results every time. Here’s why it’s the best:
what are the layers in chocolate lasagna?
This Chocolate Lasagna recipe consists of seven layers that combine to make one of the most intoxicating desserts of all time. Hereโs the layers breakdown:
Layer 1: Oreo crust
Layer 2: Chocolate ganache
Layer 3: Cheesecake (cream cheese + whipped topping)
Layer 4: Chocolate pudding
Layer 5: Chocolate cream (chocolate pudding + whipped topping)
Layer 6: Whipped topping
Layer 7: Crushed Oreos with chocolate shavings and chocolate drizzle
chocolate lasagnA without cool whip
This recipe is the only one Iโve seen without Cool Whip! Cool Whip is used to lighten the texture of the cream cheese and pudding but it is packed with chemicals and has the tendency to taste plasticky.
Instead, this recipe is made 1000X more fabulous by making homemade whipped topping, also known as stabilized whip cream โ and it’s so easy! Most importantly, you can taste the difference.
Homemade whipped topping is simply heavy cream that has been whipped with gelatin in order to give it structure. Itโs made by dissolving unflavored gelatin in water then whipping it into the heavy cream until stiff peaks form – that’s it!
No Bake Chocolate Lasagna Ingredients
We will get the most out of the ingredients by using many of them in more than one layer. For example, the homemade whipped topping is used with the cheesecake layer, the pudding layer, and as a standalone layer. Hereโs what youโll need (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
HOW TO MAKE Chocolate Lasagna
This recipe is rich, decadent, dizzyingly delicious, and best of all, anyone can make it!ย The only drawback is the dessert must be chilled between each layer so they can properly set before adding the next one – but it is SO WORTH THE WAIT!ย ย Hereโs the breakdown (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
Layer 1 โ Oreo Crust
Layer 2 – Ganache
Layer 3: Cheesecake
Layer 4 โ Chocolate Pudding
Layer 5: Chocolate Cream
Layer 6: Whipped Topping
Layer 7: Crushed Oreos and Chocolate
Step 8: Chill
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! The entire dessert can be assembled up to three days in advance and refrigerated or frozen. It actually tastes best when itโs allowed to chill in the fridge overnight.
Tips for Making Chocolate Lasagna
This recipe is easy to make, but there are a few important elements to pay attention to:
Tips for Slicing
ADDITIONAL TOPPING IDEAS
Looking for a fun way to mix up this recipe?ย Try swapping out the topping!ย Instead of chocolate shavings, or in addition to, try:
โขCrushed candy bars:ย Butterfingers, Reeseโs Peanut Butter Cups, Heath Bars, Twix, etc.
โขToffee bits
โขMini chocolate chips
โขMarshmallows
โขNuts
โขMini M&Ms
โขAndes Mints at Christmas time
โขCandy canes at Christmas time
โขDrizzle of caramel
Chocolate Lasagna Variations
There are SO many ways you can change up this Chocolate Lasagna recipe from the Oreos, to the pudding flavor, to the topping. Here are a few ideas:
How to Store Chocolate Lasagna
Store in the fridge for up to three days. Cover the top with plastic wrap to keep the dessert fresh.ย The dessert is safe and tasty for up to a week, but the layers will begin to soften and may weep a bit; still so delicious, just maybe not company best.
Can Chocolate Lasagna Be Frozen?
Yes! This no bake chocolate dessert freezes very well. Cover the pan with a double layer of plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to two months then thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. You can slice the dessert when it is still partially frozen for the cleanest slices then let the dessert continue to thaw in the refrigerator.
Chocolate Lasagna FAQS
Youโll need 33 Oreo cookies, or a 1-pound family pack. Thatโs about 3 cups of Oreo crumbs.ย
No, youโll need to use regular Oreos to make the crust.ย
If you prefer to use Cool Whip, then replace the gelatin and heavy cream mixture with one 12-oz thawed container of whipped topping. Use it wherever the homemade whipped topping is used.
Sure thing! Homemade chocolate pudding would be delicious in this recipe.ย
No, you must use full-fat, regular heavy cream to make the homemade whipped topping.
Yes! You MUST let it chill for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving. This gives the layers time to firm up. If youโre short on time, try freezing the pan for an hour instead.ย
Be sure to grease the bottom of the pan generously before adding the Oreo crust.
First, stick with Jell-O brand pudding.ย Reduced-fat brands or โhealthierโ brands of pudding have a tendency to bleed into the next layer.ย Second, freeze the dessert for 10 minutes between each layer.ย Finally, chill the dessert sufficiently before slicing.ย Ideally, pop it in the freezer for a few hours, slice, then transfer to the refrigerator.
Absolutely!ย Just like traditional lasagna, this recipe tastes even better the next day as the layers have time to chill and set up.ย
It will last up to three days in the fridge. After that, layers will soften/deflate a bit and may start to weep.
Yes!ย Oreos now come gluten free!ย The rest of the recipe ingredients are gluten free.
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No Bake Chocolate Lasagna
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Ingredients
Oreo Crust
- 1 family size/1 pound pkg. Oreo cookies (regular cookies with filling)
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted (salted or unsalted)
Ganache
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 6 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped
Whipped Topping
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cheesecake
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Chocolate Pudding
- 2 3.9 oz. pkgs. INSTANT chocolate pudding (unprepared)
- 3 cups milk
Garnish
- 1 cup reserved Oreos crumbs (in directions)
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (optional to make chocolate curls)
Instructions
Layer 1 โ Oreo Crust
- Add the whole Oreos to a food processor and process until finely ground (or crush in a bag with a rolling pin). Set aside 1 cup for the topping. To the remaining Oreos, add the butter and process (or stir) until evenly combined.
- Pour into a lightly greased 9×13 pan and pat into an even layer using the bottom of a glass. Place in the freezer while you make the next layer.
Layer 2 โ Ganache
- Add the heavy cream and corn syrup to a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave until just boiling, about 90 seconds.
- Add the chopped chocolate and press down so itโs submerged in the hot cream. Let stand for 5 minutes, then whisk vigorously until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Transfer about 3 tablespoons to a microwave safe bowl to use later as the drizzle.
- Let the remaining ganache cool for a few minutes, until thickened but still pourable and spreadable. Pour over the crust and spread into a smooth layer. Place in the freezer while you make the next layer.
Layer 3 โ Cheesecake
- Whipped Topping: Stir the water and gelatin together in a small bowl; let sit 5 minutes. Microwave for 20 seconds, give it a stir then set aside.
- Add ยฝ cup powdered sugar, 3 ¼ heavy cream, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Whip using an electric handheld mixer just until soft peaks form (the peaks flop over when the beaters are lifted.) Turn the mixer to low and slowly pour in the gelatin mixture. Mix until combined then increase speed to medium and continue mixing until stiff peaks form (peaks stand straight up when the beaters are lifted). Set aside.
- Cream cheese: In a separate large bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and creamy.
- Fold 1 ½ cups of the whipped topping into the cream cheese until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the ganache. Place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes while you make the next layer.
Layer 4 โ Chocolate Pudding
- Beat pudding mixes and milk with a handheld mixer for 2 minutes (it will be thick).
- Spoon 2 cups over cheesecake layer and smooth. Place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes while you make the next layer.
Layer 5 โ Chocolate Cream
- To the remaining pudding, fold in one cup of the remaining whipped topping. Spread over pudding. Place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to set.
Layer 6 โ Whipped Topping
- Spread the remaining whipped topping over the Chocolate Cream in an even layer. If the whipped topping has become extra stiff and not spreadable, itโs easy to fix by folding in additional heavy cream a couple tablespoons at a time until itโs spreadable. ย
Layer 7 โ Oreos and Chocolate
- Immediately sprinkle the reserved Oreo crumbs over the whipped topping and lightly press into the topping.
- Evenly sprinkle with optional chocolate shavings (shave with carrot peeler), or your favorite chopped candy (like Butterfinger).
Chill
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or freeze for 1 hour before slicing. For the cleanest cuts, I recommend freezing for a few hours, slicing, then transferring to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Unflavored gelatin:ย This isย a common baking ingredient and can be found next to the packages of Jell-O and pudding at your grocery store. You cannot make homemade whipped topping without it or the dessert will deflate and weep.ย The other option is store-bought such as Cool Whip.
- Use the whole Oreo. Donโt toss the cream filling! Youโll want to crush the whole cookie so the crust will stick together.
- Gluten free:ย Oreos now come gluten free!ย The rest of the recipe ingredients are gluten free.
- Freeze the lasagna between every layer. I highly recommend popping the dessert into the freezer after each step for about 10 minutes. The longer you can freeze the dessert between the steps, the more distinct your layers will be. To that end, this dessert is best if you can make it while you’re doing something else around the house, so you don’t get frustrated about the waiting time.
- To cut clean slices: Fill a large glass with hot water. Dip the knife in the hot water before each cut, then wipe clean with a paper towel after each cut, then repeat.ย You can also run the knife under hot water in between cuts.
- For easiest slicing and cleanest cuts: I recommend freezing the Chocolate Lasagna for at least 2 hours (up to 24), slicing, then transferring to the refrigerator to thaw.ย ย If you don’t have time to thaw the lasagna, then freeze for 30-60 minutes, slice and serve.
- Chill until ready to serve: Refrigerate the Chocolate Lasagna until itโs time to serve otherwise it will start to soften and will be impossible to slice cleanly.ย If that happens โ just scoop it out!
- Freeze if chilling isn’t possible. If you are bringing the dessert to a gathering and it’s not possible to keep refrigerated, then freeze and slice before transporting. It will thaw by the time it’s ready to serve.
- Recipe Variations:ย See the post for lots of tasty ideas such as using different flavored Oreos, puddings, etc.ย
How to store
- To store:ย Store covered in the fridge for up to three days.ย The dessert is safe and tasty for up to a week, but the layers will begin to soften and may weep a bit; still so delicious, just maybe not company best.
- To freeze: ย Cover the pan with a double layer of plastic wrap and foil.ย Freeze for up to two months then thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. I recommend slicing the dessert when it is still partially frozen for the cleanest slices then letting the dessert continue to thaw in the refrigerator.
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Carly says
Everything was going great until I got to the chocolate pudding layer. Who messes up instant chocolate pudding? Apparently I do. When I mixed the two instant pudding mixes together with three cups of milk for two minutes it never thickened. I guess I’m going to go back to the store for more pudding and finish making the dessert later. I seriously don’t understand what went wrong. haha.
Jen says
Sad! I’m wondering if you accidently used the “Cook and Serve” pudding instead of instant?
Roxanne Chakbazof says
I had the same issue with instant pudding BUT it set up properly after refrigerating and this was the most delicious thing ever. Another one knocked out of the park Jen!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Roxanne, I am so glad it ended up working for you!
Raimee says
I made this for a progressive dinner and it was a HUGE hit. It took twice as long to make as I figured, but next time I could cut that time in half. Canโt wait to make it again!!
Jen says
Yay! I’m so glad it was a winner!