I haven't posted anything in a while because our freezer is at maximum capacity with cookies, frozen cheesecake, persimmon bread and more. I don't know if we'll ever eat our way out of it. So for now here's a recipe for one of the many desserts currently in the freezer -- Scratch Chocolate Lasagna.
If you aren't familiar with the whimsically titled Chocolate Lasagna or the more boringly titled Layered Chocolate Dessert, it's a convenience dessert made with Oreos, whipped topping, cream cheese and instant pudding mix. Scratch Chocolate Lasagna is my less convenient version made with fresh whipped cream and an easy homemade chocolate pie filling. The packaged Oreos stay. And honestly, it's still really easy especially if you get a head start on the chocolate filling. Make it first, forget about it for a while as it cools, then come back later and assemble.
Freezing Scratch Chocolate Lasagna
As mentioned, you can freeze Chocolate Lasagna. After cutting a few servings, just put the rest of the uncut dessert in the freezer. Once solid, cut the solid mass into squares and freeze them individually. Each individual serving, when thawed, looks like this.
So if you are scrambling for a dessert that involves Oreos, whipping cream and chocolate filling and aren't in the mood to just make a chocolate pie, this one's fun.
Recipe
Scratch Chocolate Lasagna
Ingredients
Chocolate Layer
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk plus a tablespoon divided use
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 ½ oz unsweetened chocolate chopped
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Oreo Crust
- 20 regular or gluten-free Oreos plus a few extra for garnishing
- 3 tablespoon melted butter
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Make the chocolate layer first so that it has plenty of time to cool.
- Chocolate Layer: In a medium size saucepan, whisk the sugar, cornstarch, and salt together. Gradually whisk in 1 ¼ cups of the milk (reserve the 1 tablespoon), then whisk in the egg yolk. Place the mixture over medium heat, constantly whisking and scraping the sides of the pan until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken.
- After the filling has thickened, continue whisking for one minute, then whisk in the 1 tablespoon of butter and the unsweetened chocolate. Remove from heat and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla. Cover with wax paper or parchment to prevent a skin from forming and let cool at room temperature. This should take an hour or so.
- Crush Oreos in a food processor. Mix with melted butter and press into the bottom of a greased 8 inch square pan. Put in the freezer while you make the filling.
- Whip 1 ½ cups of cream until stiff peaks start to form, then add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together. Beat in the reserved tablespoon of milk, then fold in about ⅔ cup of the sweetened whipped cream. Spread this over the Oreo crust.
- Spread the cooled chocolate mixture over the cream cheese mixture, then spread sweetened whipped cream over the chocolate mixture. Crumble some Oreos and sprinkle over the top.
- Chill for at least 3 hours.
Sue says
Looks like a nice dessert to have on hand in the freezer.
Todd says
This is a wonderful dessert, and is the only lasagna of any kind on the "Todd's favorite lasagnas" list.