Lemon Lush – A bright dessert made with layers of shortbread cookie crust, cheesecake filling, luscious lemon pudding, and whipped topping. The perfect dessert for spring or summer!
Lemon Lush
This Lemon Lush is a light, refreshing dessert that’s perfect for spring and summer. It layers a buttery shortbread crust with a creamy cheesecake filling, bright lemon pudding, and a cloud of whipped topping. The combination of textures and bright citrus flavor makes it a favorite for picnics, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
Common Questions About Making Lemon Lush
What is a lemon lush?
A lemon lush is a chilled layered dessert made with a shortbread-style crust, a smooth cream cheese layer, a lemon pudding layer, and a whipped topping. It’s simple to assemble and serves well straight from the fridge.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields about 12 servings.
How long does a lemon lush last?
Stored covered in the refrigerator, Lemon Lush will keep well for up to three days.
How can I decorate a lemon lush?
Finish the dessert with lemon zest or thin lemon slices for a fresh look. Candied lemon or mixed berries like strawberries or raspberries also work well for color and contrast.
Can I make other lush variations?
Yes. Swap the lemon pudding for another pudding flavor or a fruit pie filling. If you choose a non-lemon pudding, you can omit the lemon juice from the cream cheese layer to keep flavors balanced.
Looking for more dessert recipes? Check these out!
- Strawberry Cheesecake
- Pineapple Poke Cake
- Blackberry Cupcakes
- No Bake Lemon Pie
Lemon Lush
Lemon Lush – A bright dessert made with layers of shortbread cookie crust, cheesecake filling, luscious lemon pudding, and whipped topping. The perfect dessert for spring or summer!
10 minutes
20 minutes
4 hours
4 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter, cold
- 1/2 cup sugar
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 2 (8 ounce) bricks cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Lemon Layer
- 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant lemon pudding
- 3 cups milk
For the Whipped Layer
- 1 (8 ounce) tub cool whip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line the bottom of a 9″x13″ baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl combine the flour, cold butter, and sugar. Cut or rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms small crumbs that hold together when pinched.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake 20 minutes, or until golden and slightly puffed. Remove and cool completely.
- Make the cream cheese layer by beating together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Set aside.
- Whisk the lemon pudding mixes with the milk until fully combined and smooth. Set aside to thicken slightly.
- Assemble: spread the cream cheese layer over the cooled crust, pour the lemon pudding layer on top, and finish with the cool whip spread evenly.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, then slice and serve. Garnish with lemon slices or zest if desired.
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Check out the web story for this recipe by searching for the Lemon Lush web story.