These tremendous simple, nostalgic Lemon Lush is the proper make-ahead dessert. Layers of creamy whipped topping, lemon pudding, and cheesecake all topped on essentially the most scrumptious, buttery shortbread crust!
If you happen to love vibrant, citrusy desserts which can be extremely simple to make, this Lemon Lush recipe goes to turn into a favourite. Also called lemon delight dessert or lemon layered dessert, Lemon Lush is a traditional make-ahead dessert with layers of buttery shortbread crust, candy cream cheese, lemon pudding, and creamy whipped topping.
A buttery shortbread crust
A creamy sweetened cream cheese layer
A tangy lemon pudding layer
A light-weight whipped topping
After chilling, the layers set right into a cool and creamy dessert that slices superbly. The stability of candy, tangy, and buttery flavors makes it a longtime favourite at potlucks, holidays, and household gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Lush
There’s a purpose this traditional lemon lush dessert has stayed in style for many years. It’s easy, refreshing, and at all times a crowd favourite. It’s a kind of recipes that my mother used to make rising up and was at all times an ordinary at any massive gathering!
Straightforward to make – Easy substances and simple steps.
Excellent make-ahead dessert – Even higher when made the day earlier than! It arrange properly so that you get cleaner cuts, plus it frees up time the day you want it! No speeding round anxious about dessert!
Nice for feeding a crowd – This can serve at least 10 individuals, relying on the best way you slice it which makes it good for events!
Customizable flavors – Straightforward to adapt with different pudding or fruit choices!
Elements for Lemon Lush
This simple lemon lush recipe makes use of easy pantry and fridge staples. Ensure that to scroll to the underside of the submit for the complete recipe card!
Crust Layer
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
Cream Cheese Layer
2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Lemon Layer
2 packages prompt lemon pudding combine. Don’t use cook dinner and serve right here as a result of it’s too heat to unfold on high of the cream cheese layer with out melting it. If you happen to solely have cook dinner and serve, make it forward, let it chill and THEN unfold it on the cream cheese layer.
3 cups chilly milk. It should be chilly to thicken up the moment pudding!
Zest of 2 lemons. That is elective however actually helps amp up the lemon taste!
Topping
Cool Whip or another model of whipped topping. Enable it to thaw within the fridge so it’s simple to unfold. You may as well make your whipped cream to unfold on high too! I actually like making my very own whipped cream (1 cup heavy cream + 1/4 cup powdered sugar) as a result of it’s a bit of stiffer than whipped topping, so it slices a bit of cleaner!
Easy methods to Make Lemon Lush
In a big bowl mix the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter. Use a pastry cutter to combine the substances collectively. The combination will resemble dry cookie dough. You may as well use your arms if wanted.
Press the combination evenly into the underside of the ready pan and bake at 350°F for 20 – 25 minutes.
Combine the cream cheese and sugar collectively in a bowl till it’s clean and creamy. Unfold the cream cheese combination on high of the cooled shortbread crust.
When the crust has cooled, mix the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl. Combine till clean and creamy after which unfold this layer evenly over the crust.
Whisk collectively the lemon pudding, milk, and zest till it’s thick.Unfold the lemon pudding layer on high of the cream cheese layer evenly.
In one other bowl whisk collectively for 5 minutes till it’s thick the lemon pudding combine, milk, and lemon zest. Unfold the lemon pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer.
Unfold the whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Cowl the dessert hermetic and chill for not less than 4 hours earlier than serving.
Unfold the whipped topping on high of the lemon pudding layer.
Suggestions for the Greatest Lemon Lush
These easy suggestions will make your home made Lemon Lush dessert even higher.
If you’d like a brighter citrus taste: Scale back the milk within the pudding to 2 3/4 cups and add 1/4 cup contemporary squeezed lemon juice. This provides the lemon layer a stronger, brisker lemon taste.
Swap the Lemon Layer: You may change the pudding with different lemon fillings like lemon pie filling or my lemon curd recipe.
Lemon Lush Taste Variations
As soon as you realize the fundamental methodology, it’s simple to show this into different lush dessert flavors. Strive these scrumptious variations:
Strawberry Lush – Use strawberry pudding and add sliced strawberries.
Blueberry Lemon Lush – Add blueberry pie filling between the layers and use vanilla pudding.
Orange Creamsicle Lush – Use orange pudding as a substitute of lemon.
Chocolate Lush – Swap in chocolate pudding and you possibly can even do an Oreo crust!
Banana Lush – Add banana pudding and perhaps even some sliced bananas! This owuld be a very easy tackle Banana Pudding!
Easy methods to Retailer Lemon Lush
This creamy lemon layered dessert shops superbly, making it nice for leftovers.
Within the Fridge: Retailer your Lemon Lush coated tightly within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Due to the cream cheese and pudding layers, it ought to at all times keep chilled.
Within the Freezer: You may freeze Lemon Lush for as much as 2 months for finest freshness. Cowl it tightly with plastic wrap after which cowl that with foil. This can hold it the freshest. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than serving.
1 (8- ounce) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed within the fridge
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with non stick spray. Put aside.
In a big bowl mix the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter with a pastry cutter. The combination will come collectively like a dry cookie dough. You should use your arms if you must as properly to combine.
Press the combination evenly into the underside of the ready pan. Bake for 25 minutes till calmly golden. Switch the pan to a wire rack to chill utterly.
When the crust is cooled mix the cream cheese and the granulated sugar in a mixing bowl and blend till creamy. Unfold this layer evenly on the crust.
In one other bowl whisk collectively for five minutes the pudding, milk, and lemon zest till it’s thick. Unfold the pudding layer on the cream cheese layer.
Lastly unfold the whipped topping on the pudding layer.
Cowl hermetic and chill for not less than 4 hours. That is nice to make a day forward too.
Notes
Retailer hermetic within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Freeze hermetic for as much as 2 months for finest freshness. Thaw within the fridge.
