Desserts
Lemon Lush
Lemon Lush is a cool, light, creamy dessert perfect for summer entertaining. Four layers give this dessert plenty of sweet
- Serves 12
- Prep 1 hour
- Cook 20 minutes
- Total 1 hour
Four Delicious Layers
The bottom is a buttery shortbread layer flavored with chopped pecans. Next is a sweetened cream cheese layer followed by an easy lemon pudding layer made from instant pudding mix. A layer of whipped topping on top gives a light, dreamy finish to this summer dessert.
Reader Comment
Alice says- “It was such a Hit I have been elected to make it again today!! There were several family members that didn’t make it last Sunday sooo… well, they almost demanded that I make it so they can enjoy it also! Thanks again for posting this! You’ve made quite a Large family Very Happy!! “
Once the warm, sunny weather has set in, one or two lemon desserts are always mandatory. Lemon Pudding Cakesand Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake are always favorites, but I am especially fond of layered desserts that can be made in a 9X13-inch pan. They can really feed a crowd – even a houseful of hungry teenagers.
The oven is needed briefly for the shortbread crust, but the rest of this delicious Lemon Lush is no bake.
It’s so cool and refreshing and makes a wonderful dessert for a potluck or picnic.
How To Make
(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)
- Make the crust. Combine flour, softened butter, pecans and sugar. Press into bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan. Bake.
- Make cream cheese layer. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Spread on top of crust.
- Make lemon pudding layer. Whisk together pudding mix and milk. Pour on top of cream cheese layer.
- Spread whipped topping on top.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use lemon flavored Oreo cookies for this crust. This gives the dessert even more lemon flavor.
- For a more intense lemon flavor in the pudding layer, add a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon zest.
- Use fresh whipped cream instead of Cool Whip for the topping.
Lemon Lush Recipe Tip
If you want pretty slices, you must partially freeze the lemon lush. It will defrost fairly quickly.
For more delicious recipes follow Hebeli on Pinterest and Instagram.
More Layer Desserts
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert
- Butterfinger Chocolate and Peanut Butter Lush
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight
- Blueberry Delight
- Oreo Delight
- Pistachio Lush
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe
Lemon Lush
Lemon Lush with four light and creamy layers makes a cool and refreshing summer dessert. Perfect for potlucks and picnics.
- Serves 12
- Prep 1 hour
- Cook 20 minutes
- Total 1 hour
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 (3.4-ounce) packages instant lemon pudding mix
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 1 (16-ounce) container whipped topping (thawed)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 2
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, softened butter, pecans, and 1/4 cup sugar until evenly mixed. Press into the bottom of a 9X13-inch pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool.
- 3
Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Spread on top of the cooled shortbread crust.
- 4
In a medium bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk until it thickens some, about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour on top of cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour is good.
- 5
Spread whipped topping over top. Cut into squares.
Notes
If you want pretty slices, you must partially freeze the lemon lush. It will defrost fairly quickly.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Hand-held electric mixer
Nutrition
- Calories623 kcal
