Home » Desserts » Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna

Who says lasagna has to be savory? This No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna turns a dinnertime classic into one downright irresistible dessert. Layers of chocolate graham crackers stand in for the “noodles,” while a rich and creamy peanut butter cheesecake filling takes the place of the cheese. Plenty of chopped Reese’s cups are tucked between the layers, giving you that beloved chocolate and peanut butter combination in every bite. To finish, it’s topped with a drizzle of silky chocolate ganache and a sprinkle of salted peanuts for just the right amount of crunch. Best of all, there’s no baking required, making this an easy make-ahead dessert for potlucks, family gatherings, holidays or anytime your sweet tooth comes calling.

chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-lasagna-recipe

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna Recipe

This No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna is a winner all the way around, with the added bonus of being incredibly simple to prepare. Since we typically think of lasagna as a hearty, savory dish, turning it into a layered chocolate and peanut butter dessert makes it all the more fun to serve. And really, you can’t go wrong with the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. No oven is a plus.

This easy no-bake dessert is right at home on the table for birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, potlucks, family reunions and summertime cookouts. It’s also a great choice when you need a make-ahead dessert that can chill in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve. With layers of creamy peanut butter filling, chocolate graham crackers and plenty of Reese’s cups, it’s the kind of crowd-pleasing sweet treat everyone will be happy to see coming.

Key ingredients to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Lasagna: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

  • Graham Crackers – Chocolate graham crackers form the chocolate layer. You could also use nutter butter cookies or oreo cookies, in a pinch.
  • Reese’s Cups – Peanut butter cups for texture and richness.
  • Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter gives this dessert its signature flavor.
  • Cream Cheese – Softened cream cheese for the peanut butter cheesecake layer.
  • Sugar – Powdered sugar to sweetened the cheesecake layer.
  • Chocolate Chips – Melted milk chocolate chips and heavy cream for the chocolate drizzle.
  • Peanuts – Chopped salted peanuts for crunch.
  • Flavoring – Vanilla extract balances the taste.
  • Whipped Cream – Store-bought whipped topping (i.e. Cool Whip or similar).
ingredients-to-make-chocolate-lasagna

How to Make the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna Recipe

  • Melt Chocolate – Melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream together in the microwave until smooth. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.
  • Make the Peanut Butter Layer – Whip together cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, 1 cup heavy cream and vanilla for 2-3 minutes or until smooth.
  • Whipped Cream – Whip two tubs of Cool Whip (whipped topping) into the peanut butter mixture ONE at a time. You can fold this in by hand using a large spatula.
  • Assemble Lasagna – Arrange one single layer of graham crackers on bottom of baking dish. Spread with 1/3 of the peanut butter mixture. Sprinkle filling with 1/3 chopped peanut butter cups and 1/3 chopped peanuts. Repeat layers.
  • Frost the Top – Frost the top with the remaining whipped topping.
  • Garnish – Sprinkle the top with chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts. Drizzle with melted chocolate.
  • Refrigerate – Chill in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil until serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Lasagna

  • Electric mixer. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer.
  • 13×9-inch lasagna pan, cake pan or dish. Deeper works best.
  • Large bowl, small bowl.
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
  • Nut chopper or sharp knife and cutting board.
  • Rubber spatula.
  • Double boiler. If you prefer, you can melt the chocolate chips to make the chocolate drizzle in a double boiler instead of melting chocolate in the microwave.
how-do-you-make-chocolate-lasagna

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

  • Graham Crackers – You can use classic graham crackers, chocolate wafer cookies, Oreos or nutter butters for the noodle layer for peanut butter lasagna.
  • Chocolate Chips – You could use milk chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for the chocolate ganache.
  • Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter works best for the cream cheese layer. You could use crunchy peanut butter if that’s your preference, but it’s not necessary. The chopped peanuts will add texture and a slight crunch to the filling ingredients. The best brand of peanut butter to use is one that you already enjoy.
  • Peanut Butter Chips – You could add melted peanut butter chips to the topping along with the chocolate sauce for the topping.
  • Adjust Amounts – Would you like to add more chocolate drizzle or more Reese’s cups? Go for it!
  • Whipped Cream – For this dessert, Cool Whip or a similar private label brand of frozen whipped topping will work best for the filling. While I love homemade whipped cream, it’s not as stable as whipped topping. It just doesn’t work the best in this instance.
  • Be Patient – When whipping the ingredients for the peanut butter filling, it’s important to whip fully until the cream cheese is completely smooth. It can take more than a couple of minutes depending on how soft the cream cheese is. 
  • Reese’s Mini Pieces – You could garnish the top using reese’s mini pieces. 
  • Special Note – The chocolate graham crackers will naturally soften as the ingredients in the dessert chill. This is a normal occurrence, much like when making an eclair cake and not an indication that anything went wrong.

Storage and Leftovers

  • Make-Ahead Tip – You can fully assemble this dessert one day in advance.
  • Storage – You can store Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer – Freeze chocolate lasagna leftovers for up to 1 month, thaw in the fridge and enjoy.
recipe-for-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-lasagna

More Easy Dessert Recipes to Make

Desserts made in a 13×9-inch pan are ideal for taking to potlucks, picnics or holiday parties. More sheet pan desserts you may also like to try:

best-chocolate-crunch-lasagna-recipe

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If  a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items:

best-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-lasagna-recipe
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna

This No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Lasagna features layers of chocolate graham crackers, creamy peanut butter filling and Reese’s cups topped with chocolate ganache.
Prep Time25 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-lasagna, peanut butter lasagna
Servings: 16 pieces
Calories: 337kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 8 oz softened cream cheese (16 oz total)
  • 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 8 oz frozen whipped topping thawed and divided
  • 1 14 oz box chocolate graham crackers
  • 1 12 oz bag miniature peanut butter cups unwrapped and roughly chopped
  • 3/4 cup salted peanuts roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Chocolate: In a small bowl melt the chocolate chips and 1/3 cup heavy cream together in the microwave until smooth. Melt in 30 second increments stopping to stir periodically. Set aside to cool while you make the filling.
  • Peanut Butter Filling: In a medium-size mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip together cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, 1 cup heavy cream and vanilla for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Whip in (2) containers of whipped topping ONE at a time.
  • Assemble: Arrange one single layer of graham crackers in a 13×9 inch deep baking dish. Spread with 1/3 of the peanut butter filling.
  • Sprinkle filling with 1/3 chopped peanut butter cups and 1/3 chopped peanuts.
  • Gently press the next layer of graham crackers on top and repeat filling, peanut butter cups, peanuts. Finish with a third layer of graham crackers ending with the final 1/3 of the peanut butter filling.
  • Frost the top with the remaining 8 oz whipped topping. Garnish the top with final 1/3 of peanut butter cups and peanuts. Drizzle with warm chocolate.
  • Chill for at least 4-6 hours before cutting. Store chilled.

Notes

  • Graham Crackers – You can use classic graham crackers, chocolate wafer cookies, Oreos or nutter butters for the noodle layer for peanut butter lasagna.
  • Chocolate Chips – You could use milk chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for the chocolate ganache.
  • Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter works best for the cream cheese layer. You could use crunchy peanut butter if that’s your preference, but it’s not necessary. The chopped peanuts will add texture and a slight crunch to the filling ingredients. The best brand of peanut butter to use is one that you already enjoy.
  • Peanut Butter Chips – You could add melted peanut butter chips to the topping along with the chocolate sauce for the topping.
  • Adjust Amounts – Would you like to add more chocolate drizzle or more Reese’s cups? Go for it!
  • Whipped Cream – For this dessert, Cool Whip or a similar private label brand of frozen whipped topping will work best for the filling. While I love homemade whipped cream, it’s not as stable as whipped topping. It just doesn’t work the best in this instance.
  • Be Patient – When whipping the ingredients for the peanut butter filling, it’s important to whip fully until the cream cheese is completely smooth. It can take more than a couple of minutes depending on how soft the cream cheese is. 
  • Reese’s Mini Pieces – You could garnish the top for fall using reese’s mini pieces. 
  • Special Note – The chocolate graham crackers will naturally soften as the ingredients chill. This is a normal occurrence, much like when making an eclair cake and not an indication that anything went wrong.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 0.7mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

117 Comments

  1. Hello! That’s a great question. I’ve never tried it however, I’ve frozen peanut butter pie in the past with good results, and they have a similar filling. If you try it let me know how it worked.

  2. This makes a very large dish…just finished making it. I was wondering if leftovers can be frozen??…because if no one stops by it will be way too much for hubby and I…not that we would not eat it all in a few days..but would not be the best thing for us to do..LOL!…we do love peanut butter and chocolate..
    🙂

  3. Hi Karen, that’s a really great question. If your dessert table is indoors and the dessert is well chilled, it will do fine. I wouldn’t recommend this dessert [or any other “creamy” dessert] to be left outside for long periods. The heat would affect the texture.

  4. OMG!!!! The filling is WONDERFUL!!! I had some left over so sprinkled with a few nuts & drizzled chocolate on it. Boy was that GREAT!! I can’t wait to have some of the completed dish tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe!!!!

  5. Hmmm, that’s a great question! If he’s not allergic to other nuts, I’m wondering about Nutella in place of the peanut butter? Or Almond Butter? I must say, I’ve never done either, so, you might add in small increments, then taste, adding more as needed to get the correct balance of flavor. Otherwise, I might suggest, making a chocolate pudding and cream cheese filling then layering with the graham crackers. Perhaps crushing Oreos on top to garnish and some chocolate shavings would be a nice touch! Sure hope this helps, let me know what you decide. 🙂

    1. I would use cookie butter, it’s delicious and would be perfect in this. Nutella would work, too, but it also contains nuts, so that might be out.

  6. Hey Melissa, quick question. Is there a way I can substitute peanut butter for something like Oreos.. I wanna surprise my dad with a sweet treat like this but he is allergic to peanuts.

  7. Well Melissa, it certainly doesn’t get any better than this does it? Looks so good, and so rich with all my favorite flavors. Another great recipe, thanks!

    1. Can you use something else instead of chocolate Graham Crackers they are not sold in Toronto Canada? If so what is your suggestion?
      Thanks can’t wait for your answer so I can try this????

      1. If you have access to any chocolate wafer cookie, you could use that in it’s place.

      2. Crushed Vanilla wafers, cocoa, powdered sugar, and melted butter will replace the chocolate graham crackers. There are also chocolate Teddy Grahams.

      3. I wouldn’t recommend that unless you plan on mixing those ingredients together and bake them.

5 from 9 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating