Begin by crushing chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the crumbs with melted butter until fully combined. Press it firmly into the bottom of an 8x8 inch pan, creating an even layer. Chill the crust in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes until set.

Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and granulated sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Gently fold in 1 cup of whipped topping using a spatula for lightness. Spread this fluffy cream cheese layer evenly over the chilled cookie crust.

In a new bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Pour the thickened pudding layer carefully over the cream cheese layer.

Sprinkle festive candy-coated chocolates evenly over the pudding layer, ensuring they are well spread out across the surface.

Spread the remaining whipped topping over the layer of candies, covering them completely and smoothing it out nicely. Add additional candies on top for an eye-catching presentation.

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Once chilled, slice into squares, adding a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra candies before serving.