Chocolate Lasagna!

 

If you have followed my blog for long, you know I love chocolate, you also know I love Italian food so just the sound of "Chocolate Lasagna" is intriguing to me and makes my mouth water!   I was not disappointed in the least.   This was delicious! 

This is a layered dessert that is no-bake, which makes it perfect for summer!   However, I also see this as being a great dessert for the Fall and Winter holidays!  It's fairly easy to make and you can make it day or two ahead of your gathering which is always a winner for the busy holiday season!

Here is what you will need:

1  (19.1 oz.) pkg. Family size regular Oreo Cookies,  crushed

1/2 cup or 1 stick butter, melted

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup whipped cream (like Cool Whip)

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups milk

1  (3.9 oz.)  instant chocolate pudding mix

1  (3.9 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix

16 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed (minus the one cup you used in the cream cheese layer)

1/2 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

maraschino cherries  (optional)

First crush the Oreo cookies to fairly fine crumbs.  You can do this two ways.  You can put them in a food processor and process them or put them in a large ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin or I use the bottom of a heavy mug.   I prefer this method, because it leaves them with a little more texture and crunch.  Sometime my food processor makes things like this too fine.

Remove them and add the melted butter and combine.  Press the mixture into a 9"x13" baking dish.   

Place the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat it with an electric mixer until it's fluffy.  Beat in 1 cup confectioner's sugar.  Add the whipped topping and 1 tsp. vanilla.  When this is smooth, spread it over the cookie crust!

In a large bowl beat the 3 cups milk with both the chocolate and vanilla pudding mixes until they thicken.   Spread evenly over the cream cheese layer!

Like this!

Spread the rest of the whipped topping on top evenly.  Sprinkle with the mini chocolate chips and garnish with maraschino cherries!!!    Refrigerate for at least a couple of hours before cutting and serving.   I think overnight is even better!

It's so yummy!!!  The chocolate lovers will be so happy!!!