This no-bake Hot Chocolate Lasagna tastes like a mug of hot cocoa in dessert form, with a buttery Oreo crust, creamy hot cocoa cheesecake layer, chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream. Finished with mini marshmallows and chocolate drizzle, this 9×13 dessert costs about $13.22 total, or $1.10 per serving.
With eight kids in our family, I enjoy making desserts that everyone can help serve and enjoy. This one is especially fun because each slice has several creamy layers and plenty of chocolate flavor. It’s a favorite for holiday parties and potlucks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- No baking required: Easy to prepare without turning on the oven.
- Rich chocolate flavor: Layers of hot cocoa mousse, chocolate pudding, and Oreo crust make every bite delicious.
- Make-ahead dessert: Prepare it the day before so it’s ready when you need it.
- Easy to share: One 9×13 pan makes 12 generous servings for family and friends.
I’ve been developing recipes for over 10 years, and I’ve learned that chilling layered desserts long enough makes all the difference. I recommend making this one the night before so the pudding and mousse have plenty of time to set before slicing.
You may also want to try Hot Chocolate Dip Recipe, Hot Chocolate Fudge and Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups.
Ingredients
For Oreo Crust
- Oreos. You can also use Chocolate Wafer Cookies.
- Unsalted butter, melted. It binds the crumbs into a firm crust.
Hot Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse Layer
- Butter: Use unsalted butter, softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly with the cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese works best. Let it soften before mixing to prevent lumps in the mousse.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, creamy filling.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor and balances the sweetness of the hot cocoa mix.
- Instant Hot Cocoa: You’ll need 5 packets (0.73 oz each).
- Cool Whip: Thaw in the refrigerator before folding it into the cheesecake mixture. It gives the mousse a light, fluffy texture.
Chocolate Pudding Layer
- Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix: Use two 3.8 oz boxes of instant chocolate pudding mix for a rich chocolate layer. Make sure to use instant pudding, not cook-and-serve.
- Milk: Cold milk helps the instant pudding thicken properly. Whole milk gives the creamiest texture.
Topping
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Use cold heavy whipping cream straight from the refrigerator so it whips up light and fluffy.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without making it grainy.
- Mini Marshmallows: Sprinkle over the top just before serving for a fun hot chocolate finish.
- Chocolate Topping or Nutella: Drizzle over each slice before serving for an extra layer of chocolate flavor.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Lasagna
Step 1. Make the Oreo Cookie Crust – To make the crust, place whole Oreo cookies with the filling in a food processor and ground in fine crumbs.
Step 2. Stir in melted butter in a small bowl.
Step 3. Press the mixture in the bottom of 13 x 9 baking dish. Place in the fridge or freezer so that it can firm while you make the filling.
Step 4. Beat the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the hot cocoa mix, then gently fold in the Cool Whip.
Step 5. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Allow the cheesecake mixture to set in the fridge or freezer to firm.
Step 6. Make the pudding layer by combining instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until it starts to thicken. Spread over hot chocolate mousse layer.
Step 7. Whip the heavy cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar to stiff peaks (or use 2 ½ cups prepared whipped cream). Spread over the set pudding layer, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
Step 8. Before serving, sprinkle mini marshmallows over the top. I like to serve it drizzled with melted chocolate.
Step 9. Cut into slices and serve.
Make It Ahead for Your Holiday Party
1–2 days before: Make the crust, mousse, and pudding layers, chilling each one before adding the next. Cover and refrigerate.
Morning of: Whip the cream, spread it on top, and refrigerate.
Right before serving: Sprinkle on the marshmallows and drizzle with chocolate so they stay fluffy and fresh.
Cut with a knife wiped clean between slices for neat layers.
More Topping Ideas
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Crushed Oreos
- Chocolate Shavings
- Chocolate Sprinkles
Variations
- Mint Chocolate Lasagna – Use Mint Oreos for the crust instead of regular Oreos.
- White Chocolate Lasagna – You can make a white chocolate lasagna instead of hot chocolate lasagna. Use a vanilla pudding mix and white chocolate cocoa mix instead of the chocolate ones.
- Reduce the Sugar Amount – You can easily make this lasagna lower sugar by using sugar free pudding mix, hot cocoa mix and cool whip.
- Use your Favorite Toppings – You can easily mix up this recipe by topping it with your favorite toppings. Whatever you like on hot cocoa, you’ll love on this chocolate lasagna recipe. I love topping mine with sprinkles, crushed up peppermints and caramel sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use homemade whipped cream instead of the cool whip in this recipe. Just make sure that you whip the cream until stiff peaks form and then mix it with the other ingredients.
The quickest way to fix runny pudding is to mix in another packet of the dry ingredients. However, if you do not have another packet on hand then I recommend refrigerating it overnight to thicken the pudding.
Do not mix the pudding into the lasagna until it is thicken or it will ruin that layer.
This no bake lasagna will need to be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Oreo crust softens a little after day 2.
You can let it sit at room temperature for around 15-20 minutes when serving but then refrigerate again after that time.
Yes, you can cover and freeze this dessert for up to 2-3 months. I recommend not adding the marshmallows or chocolate syrup until you are ready to serve.
Defrost the lasagna out overnight in the refrigerator and then it’s ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Chill each layer before adding the next. 15–20 minutes in the freezer (or 30 in the fridge) keeps the layers clean and separate.
- Use a plastic knife when cutting to make clean lines when serving. Make sure to clean the knife after each cut for clean slices.
- This recipe is best if refrigerated over night before serving. This lasagna is perfect to make the night before serving.
- Make sure that the pudding is mixed until it’s thick or it won’t set properly.
Try These Easy Chocolate Desserts
It’s your turn to make this No Bake Chocolate Lasagna Recipe. Please leave a comment once you do.
Hot Chocolate Lasagna
Ingredients
For the Oreo Crust:
- 36 Oreo cookies (crushed into fine crumbs)
- ½ cup unsalted butter-melted
For Hot Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5 packets instant hot cocoa mix, milk chocolate (0.73 oz each)
- 1 1/4 cups cool whip
For Chocolate Pudding Layer:
- 2 chocolate instant pudding mix (3.8 oz each)
- 2 ¾ cups milk
For the Topping:
- 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream or 2 ½ cups whipped cream
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- Chocolate topping or Nutella for serving
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- To make the crust place whole Oreo cookies with the filling in a food processor and grind into fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter and press the mixture in the bottom of 13 x 9 inches casserole dish. Place in the fridge or freezer to firm while making next layer.
- To make Hot Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse Layer, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the hot cocoa mix, then gently fold in the Cool Whip.
- Mix in instant milk chocolate powder Fold in the cool whip. Then, spread over the crust and set in the fridge or freezer to firm.
- For pudding layer in a bowl whisk instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until it starts thickening. spread over hot chocolate mousse layer. Place in the fridge or freezer to set.
- Whip the heavy cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar to stiff peaks (or use 2 ½ cups prepared whipped cream). Spread over the set pudding layer, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- Before serving sprinkle 2 cups of mini marshmallows over the top.
- Serve drizzled with melted chocolate
- Store leftovers in the fridge.
What can I say? HOT CHOCOLATE LASAGNA is absolutely one of the COOLEST CREATIONS ever made!! I, my hubby and friends cannot live without it! From the OREO crust, to the chocolate mousse, to the cream cheese mixture! One of us tries to beat the other one out by saying after the first bite, “I’ve died and gone to heaven!” It’s beyond delightful and delicious! It really is quite heavenly!
This is yummy. My family loved it.
Easy to make. And so delicious
Ok, so I’m Irish. So, yes I had to go there. Cut milk to 2 cups and replace it with 3/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream. I haven’t tried replacing the milk with coffee yet but I’m gonna! Irish coffee lasagne. Oh yeah, hell maybe 2 3/4 c baileys?
I made this for Christmas and it was a huge hit, not any leftover. My son has been bugging me forever to make one and this recipe was easy to follow. Definitely adding to our dessert ideas.
All I can say is Yummy!! Was easy to make.
So good! I made it Gluten Free by making a chocolate shortbread for the crust, instead of nutella (didn’t have any in the house) I made a chocolate crack topping. Delicious! I will be making a sharing smaller dishes of this dessert for my elderly neighbors.
Fantastic recipe.
Absolutely love this
This one I tried for the first time on Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Everyone loved it and requested it again for Christmas. It will be a new recipe to make every holiday now!😀 Super great and hits the spot ☺️
Made this for Christmas and it was a big hit.
Easily on of the best desserts we’ve made. YUM!!!!
My grandkids thought this was the best dessert…EVER!
I make this for potlucks and sometimes have to double it…there is never any left…it is so so good…. if I make it for home I halve the recipe to make a smaller amount or we would eat the whole thing ( just me and dear husband)…
We loved this. I used sugar free pudding and cool whip, the kids could not tell.
The powdered sugar is listed as 1/2 powdered sugar ,does that mean 1/2 cup?? and total of 3.65 oz of hot chocolate powder?
Connie – I’m so sorry for the confusion! Yes, it’s 1/2 cup powdered sugar and yes, I used 5 packets of hot chocolate mix that are all 0.73 oz each. I have updated the recipe to make it more clear. If you try it out, I hope you come back and let me know what you think!