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Chocolate Lasagna is the dreamy no bake dessert that layers a chocolate cookie crust, fluffy peanut butter cream cheese, silky pudding, and whipped topping into pure heaven. I made this for Lizzie’s birthday and it disappeared faster than the cake, so now it is on permanent rotation. If you love an easy layered treat, you have to try our Oreo dirt cake too.
This no bake peanut butter version of chocolate lasagna comes together in layers and just needs a few hours to chill before slicing.
Chocolate Lasagna Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 45 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 10 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 55 minutes plus chilling
- 🍽️ Serving: 12 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 852kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Rich, creamy, and chocolatey with layers of peanut butter and cookies
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, a simple layered no bake dessert like our pistachio lush
Quick Answer
To make chocolate lasagna, press a chocolate sandwich cookie crust into a 9×13 dish and freeze. Whip cream cheese with peanut butter, powdered sugar, and whipped topping, and spread it over the crust. Sprinkle on more cookie crumbs, then a layer of cooled peanut butter pudding. Top with whipped topping and chopped Reese cups, then chill for at least 3 hours before slicing.
Jump to:
- Chocolate Lasagna Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Chocolate Lasagna
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Chocolate Lasagna FAQs
- Other Recommended No Bake Desserts
- No Bake Chocolate Lasagna (Peanut Butter Lasagna)
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- The cookie crust sets up firm. Pressing the buttery chocolate cookie crumbs into the dish and freezing them creates a sturdy base that holds the layers together when sliced.
- Homemade pudding tastes better. A quick stovetop peanut butter pudding is richer and silkier than a boxed mix, and it sets up beautifully as the lasagna chills.
- Whipped topping keeps it light. Folding whipped topping into the cream cheese layer makes it fluffy and airy so the dessert is not too dense.
- Layering builds flavor and texture. Each layer adds something different, from crunchy cookie to creamy filling to silky pudding, for the perfect bite.
- Chilling is the secret step. A few hours in the fridge lets the layers firm up so the lasagna slices into clean, beautiful pieces.
- It is a make ahead dream. Because it needs to chill anyway, you can make it the night before, which makes it perfect for parties and holidays.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a rich, no bake layered dessert that looks impressive but is genuinely easy to throw together.
- It is the ultimate peanut butter and chocolate treat, perfect for parties alongside our peanut butter buckeyes.
- It is a make ahead dessert, so you can build it the night before and just slice and serve when it is time.
Key Ingredients
A handful of pantry and fridge staples layer into this decadent dessert. Here are the ones that matter most.
- Chocolate sandwich cookies: Crushed into a buttery crust and sprinkled between the layers, they give the lasagna its rich chocolate base.
- Cream cheese: Whipped with peanut butter and powdered sugar, it makes the fluffy, tangy middle layer.
- Creamy peanut butter: It flavors both the homemade pudding and the cream cheese layer for double the peanut butter goodness.
- Whipped topping: Lightens the cream cheese layer and crowns the whole dessert in a fluffy cloud.
- Mini Reese cups: Chopped over the top for a peanut butter and chocolate finish that looks as good as it tastes.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This chocolate lasagna is easy to make your own:
- Make it classic chocolate: Swap the peanut butter pudding for chocolate pudding and skip the peanut butter for a traditional chocolate lasagna.
- Change the candy: Top with chopped Butterfingers, Snickers, or mini chocolate chips instead of Reese cups.
- Use a different cookie: Golden sandwich cookies or chocolate graham crackers work in place of the chocolate cookies.
- Add a drizzle: Finish with hot fudge, caramel, or melted peanut butter for an extra decadent touch.
How to Make Chocolate Lasagna
- Make the pudding first so it has time to cool. Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan, slowly whisk in the milk, and bring to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes, then whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla off the heat and let it cool.
- Pulse the chocolate sandwich cookies into crumbs in a food processor, stream in the melted butter, and press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 dish. Freeze while you make the filling.
- Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter until combined, mix in the milk until fluffy, then add the powdered sugar a little at a time and fold in the whipped topping.
- Spread the peanut butter cream cheese filling evenly over the chilled cookie crust and return the dish to the freezer.
- Crush the remaining cookies and sprinkle them over the filling, then pour the cooled peanut butter pudding on top and spread it evenly.
- Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding and garnish with chopped Reese cups. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, or overnight, before slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Let the pudding cool completely before layering, or it will melt the whipped cream cheese layer underneath.
- Freeze each layer briefly, a quick chill between layers keeps them distinct and makes the lasagna easier to assemble.
- Use room temperature cream cheese, so it whips up smooth and lump free.
- Chill at least 3 hours, or overnight, so the dessert sets up firm enough to slice cleanly.
- Wipe your knife between cuts, for neat, bakery worthy slices that show off the layers.
- Garnish just before serving, so the chopped Reese cups stay fresh and the topping looks its best.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This chocolate lasagna is rich, so a small square goes a long way. Serve chilled slices on their own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge for an extra special dessert.
It is the perfect potluck or holiday dessert next to other crowd pleasers like our Oreo dirt cake, pistachio lush, and no bake Oreo cheesecake.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and serve cold. The layers stay distinct and the flavor only gets better after a night in the fridge, so it is a great dessert to make ahead.
Chocolate Lasagna FAQs
Chocolate lasagna is a layered no bake dessert built like a savory lasagna but made entirely of sweet layers. It usually starts with a chocolate sandwich cookie crust, followed by a whipped cream cheese layer, a layer of pudding, and a fluffy whipped topping. This version adds creamy peanut butter to the pudding and filling for a rich chocolate and peanut butter treat.
Chocolate lasagna needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours so the layers can firm up, but overnight is even better. The longer chill time helps the cookie crust set and the pudding and cream cheese layers firm up so the dessert slices into clean, neat pieces instead of sliding apart.
Yes, chocolate lasagna is an ideal make ahead dessert. Since it needs several hours to chill anyway, you can assemble it the night before your event and keep it covered in the refrigerator. For the freshest look, wait to add the chopped candy garnish until just before serving so it stays crisp and pretty.
Store chocolate lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Keep it well covered so it does not pick up other fridge odors or dry out. You can also freeze it, tightly wrapped, for up to a month, then thaw it in the refrigerator before serving for the best texture.
Absolutely. To make a classic chocolate lasagna, leave the peanut butter out of both the pudding and the cream cheese layer, and use chocolate pudding in place of the peanut butter pudding. The result is a rich, all chocolate layered dessert that is just as easy to make and crowd pleasing.
Chocolate sandwich cookies like Oreos are the classic choice for chocolate lasagna because they make a rich, sturdy crust and add chocolate flavor between the layers. You can use the regular or double stuffed variety, and the filling does not need to be removed. Chocolate graham crackers or golden sandwich cookies also work for a fun twist.
Craving more no bake layered desserts? Try our Oreo dirt cake and no bake Oreo cheesecake next.
Love chocolate and peanut butter? Our fudgy brownie cake is another rich treat like this chocolate lasagna.
For another chocolate dessert, slice up our chocolate chip cake next to this chocolate lasagna.
This chocolate lasagna and our butterscotch sauce are two easy ways to wow a dessert crowd.
Love cookies and cream? Our Oreo buttercream frosting and this chocolate lasagna are both Oreo packed treats.
No Bake Chocolate Lasagna (Peanut Butter Lasagna)
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Pudding:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Cookie Crust:
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cup whipped topping
Extras:
- 12 chocolate sandwich cookies
- 2 cups whipped topping
- 1 ½ cups chopped mini Reese cups
Instructions
Peanut Butter Pudding:
- Make the pudding first, it needs time to cool. In a small saucepan, add the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk to combine.⅓ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Slowly whisk in the milk until sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, reduce to low, and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.2 cups whole milk
- Take off the heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla, whisk to combine. Set to the side and let cool on the counter while assembling the lasagna.½ cup creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Cookie Crust:
- In a food processor, add the cookies and pulse until they form crumbs. Stream in the butter and pulse until combined.36 chocolate sandwich cookies, ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- Press into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Set in the freezer while assembling the cream cheese layer.
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a large bowl, add the cream cheese and peanut butter. Using an electric hand mixer, mix on medium-low speed until combined. Add in the milk and mix until fluffy.8 ounces cream cheese softened, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup whole milk
- Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time until combined. Fold in the whipped topping. Spread this evenly over the cookie crust layer. Place back into the freezer.1 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cup whipped topping
Assembly:
- Add the remaining cookies to the food processor. Process until crumbs form. Spread these evenly on top of the cream cheese layer.12 chocolate sandwich cookies
- Pour the peanut butter pudding on top, spread evenly. Add the remaining whipped topping and spread evenly on top. Garnish with the chopped Reese’s cups.2 cups whipped topping, 1 ½ cups chopped mini Reese cups
- Place the peanut butter lasagna, covered with plastic wrap, into the fridge for at least 3 hours to set up, even better overnight. Cut and serve.
Notes
- Try to place the dish in the freezer in between each layer so that it helps you solidify the layers, making this layered peanut butter lasagna easier to make.
- This can be frozen, see my tips above on how to do that.
- Drizzle this with some chocolate syrup for a little extra chocolate flavor.
- You can top with other toppings such as butterfingers, peanut butter M&M’s etc.
- We like to use Oreos for the chocolate layers, but any chocolate sandwich cookie should work and in a pinch you can use chocolate graham crackers and more.
Nutrition
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Yes, those will work!
By chocolate sandwich cookies are you referring Oreo cookies?