Cookie Lasagna Recipe

What is it about lasagna that makes it such a delicious dish? After all, isn't it just a different shape of pasta noodle joined with some classic pasta ingredients, like a red sauce, ground beef, and cheese? Yes, is the simple answer, but there's one key distinction that we're overlooking — it's all about the layers! It's those layers of the lasagna that let each ingredient both stand out and shine, working as a flavor team, if you will.

Good news: the standouts and flavor team are both at play in this unique, sweet take on lasagna, created by chef and recipe developer Jennine Bryant of The Marshside Pantry. Using some classic dessert ingredients — like whipping cream and Oreo cookies and pudding and such — in a whole new way, this dessert will garner a whole lot of "oohs" and "aahs" from all who try it. And no need for them to know it was pretty easy to make, either. As long as you can do a bit of mixing and spreading, this one will be a piece of cake. Or a piece of cookie lasagna, that is. 

"I love how simple and fun this recipe is," says Bryant, adding that "it's quite foolproof and super delicious, just lots of yummy layers of creamy, chocolatey flavors that meld together really well." Need we say more?

To prepare this tasty chilled treat, you'll need a cup of Oreo cookie crumbs, divided, about 4 tablespoons of butter, melted, plenty of cream cheese, a good dose of sugar, some vanilla extract, some whipping cream, divided, plenty of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bits, divided, a cup of whole milk, and a packet of chocolate pudding mix. Bryant uses Angel Delight pudding mix, but you can use whatever brand you like best!

If you think of it, go ahead and chill or even freeze the pan you'll be using for this recipe well ahead of time to save time with the chilling as you go. Not necessary, just a tip! To get properly started, melt the butter and mash the cookies — you can place the Oreos in a plastic bag and use a mallet or your palms for the latter. Then, in a bowl, combine together all but 1 tablespoon of the Oreo cookie crumbs and the melted butter, and mix these together thoroughly. Next, press that mixture into the base of that rectangular lasagna dish. Chill dish in the fridge for 10 minutes so the cookie/butter blend sets, reserving that remaining tablespoon of Oreo cookie crumbs for decorating the top of the cookie lasagna.

As the cookie base chills, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and ½ cup of whipping cream in a clean bowl. You can use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Then, gently fold in ⅓ cup of chocolate chips. "It's important to beat the cheesecake mixture thoroughly so that the cream cheese doesn't end up in little lumps, but smooth throughout," says Bryant. Layer this cheesecake mixture on top of the set Oreo cookie base, smoothing it down over the top of the cookie layer to make it level, and then put the dish back into the fridge to chill while preparing the next step.

In a clean bowl, add the whole milk and the pudding mix. Whisk those together for a minute or two until the mixture has thickened, then take the lasagna dish out of the fridge. Pour the freshly-made pudding layer on top of the cheesecake layer. Smooth it out and then refrigerate for 10 more minutes to allow the latest layer to set. Are you starting to see why this dessert is called a lasagna?

Whip up the remaining 1 cup of cream until it is thick enough that it holds its shape. Dollop this cream on top of the set chocolate pudding, and swirl it about until it covers the surface of the cookie lasagna. Next, sprinkle the reserved Oreo crumbs and the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips on top, then let the cooking lasagna chill for another 10 minutes before serving it up to the delight of all.

"This is such a great dessert option for fun events like parties, gatherings with friends, sleepovers, kids birthday parties, and so on," says Bryant. "It can be served with a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce, and it's great with something refreshing like a cup of tea or coffee. I think it would pair well with a chilled glass of white wine as well!"