I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by digging into this Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagna. Now don't worry, this isn't some crazy mixture of lasagna noodles, frosting and sprinkles.

Dessert lasagna takes the same layering approach as savory lasagna and turns it into a sweet treat. Like traditional lasagna, dessert lasagna is a great dish to feed a crowd. You layer all the ingredients in a large pan, let it chill, and then serve.

This recipe takes the layered approach of lasagna and turns it on its head by using creamy whipped topping, fresh berries, vanilla pudding and Nilla Wafers.

All of these layers come together to make a fresh and festive summer dessert that is sure to please your partying crowd.

Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagna is the perfect patriotic treat for your 4th of July celebration, since strawberries and blueberries are at peak season, and also just happen to come in our nation's colors.

What could be better than layering all those beautiful red and blue berries with white whipped cream and adding a few festive sprinkles on top?

The History of Nilla Wafers

According to Wikipedia, the recipe for Vanilla Wafers came from a German confectioner named Gustav A. Mayer, who owned a shop on Staten Island. In 1898 he sold his recipe to Nabisco, who began producing the cookie that later came to be known as "Nilla Wafers". These sweet vanilla-flavored cookies went on to become a staple in Southern cooking. They make a great addition to Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagna, thanks to their ability to absorb liquid without becoming too soggy or mushy. They add excellent flavor and texture to layered desserts, and are most commonly included in banana pudding recipes.

More Recipes Like Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagna

For more festive 4th of July sweet treats, check out these tasty ideas:

And if you're looking for some other delicious, feed-a-crowd, perfect-for-summer desserts, you'll want to give these recipes a try:

How To Make Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagna

Line the bottom of an 8×8 inch pan with Nilla wafers.

Dish lined with Nilla Waffers and topped with cream cheese mixture

Mix together cream cheese, 2 tablespoons milk, powdered sugar, vanilla and 1 cup of whipped topping. Spread this layer out carefully over the Nilla wafers.

Strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer and pudding mixed ready for the next layer

Top cream cheese layer with chopped strawberries.

In a medium bowl, mix together milk with pudding mix and another cup whipped topping until smooth. Spread this out over the strawberries and then top the pudding layer with blueberries.

Layer of pudding and blueberries added with whipped topping on the side

Next, add the remaining whipped topping to the top of the lasagna.

Finish the dessert off with sprinkles.

Completed dessert with whipped topping and sprinkles added

Chill for 4 hours or overnight before serving, and enjoy!

Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagne served on a plate

Recipe

Red White and Blue Dessert Lasagna

Yield Servings 9
Prep Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Cook Time 20 mins
Total Total Time 40 mins

Ingredients

Nilla wafers to line 8x8 pan
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup whipped cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 quart strawberries, chopped
4 ounce vanilla instant pudding mix
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup whipped cream
1 cup blueberries
8 ounce container whipped topping, thawed
Red, white and blue sprinkles

Instructions

1
Line the bottom of an 8x8 inch pan with Nilla wafers.
2
Mix together cream cheese, 2 tablespoons milk, powdered sugar, vanilla and 1 cup of whipped topping. Spread this layer out carefully over the Nilla wafers.
3
Top cream cheese layer with chopped strawberries.
4
In a medium bowl, mix together milk with pudding mix and another cup whipped topping until smooth. Spread this out over the strawberries and then top the pudding layer with blueberries.
5
Next, add the remaining whipped topping to the top of the lasagna.
6
Finish the dessert off with sprinkles.
7
Chill for 4 hours or overnight before serving.