The first time I tasted Lemon Lush was at my grandmother’s summer potluck. As a child who typically gravitated toward chocolate desserts, I was initially skeptical of this pale yellow creation. One bite of that perfect balance of crumbly nutty crust, tangy lemon pudding, and cloud-like cream cheese topping changed everything. I found myself sneaking back to the dessert table for “just one more small piece” of this heavenly lemon dessert throughout the afternoon. Years later, when I asked for the recipe, I was shocked by how simple it was to create something so magnificent.
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Table of Contents
What Makes Lemon Lush So Special?
Lemon Lush stands out among desserts with its three distinct layers that create a perfect harmony of textures and flavors. The crunchy nut crust provides a sturdy base, while the tart lemon pudding layer delivers a refreshing punch that’s beautifully balanced by the light, fluffy cream cheese topping. This triple-layer delight is simultaneously rich and refreshing, making it the perfect finale for any meal, especially during warmer months.
Lemon Lush recipe ingredients
Ingredients for the Nut Crust
- Butter – Creates a rich flavor and helps bind the crust ingredients together.
- Chopped Nuts – Provides crunch and a nutty depth to the base layer.
- All-Purpose Flour – Acts as the structure for the crust, binding with butter to create a shortbread-like texture.
Ingredients for the Lemon Layer
- Lemon Instant Pudding Mix – Delivers concentrated lemon flavor and thickening power.
- Whole Milk – Activates the pudding mix and creates the proper consistency.
Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Layer
- Cream Cheese – Provides tangy richness and creamy texture to the top layer.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the cream cheese layer while dissolving completely for a smooth texture.
- Cool Whip Topping – Adds lightness and volume to the top layer while maintaining stability.
How to make Lemon Lush
Making Lemon Lush dessert is easy when you break the process into three parts. You can also prepare the crust ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
To make the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the nuts in a plastic bag and crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin.
- Melt the butter in the microwave or a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir in the melted butter, crushed nuts, and flour until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Blind bake the crust until it is lightly brown, about 15 minutes.
- Allow the crust to cool completely before filling.
To make the pudding layer:
- Combine both packets of pudding mix with the milk in a medium bowl.
- Mix until the pudding begins to thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes. Don’t worry if the consistency of the filling is a little thick – that is what you want.
- Scoop the pudding onto the cold crust carefully.
- Use an offset spatula to even out the filling. Leave no spaces around the sides of the pan.Â
- Place the pan in the fridge while you make the cream cheese layer.
To make the cream cheese layer:
- Soften the cream cheese by leaving it on the counter for about 30 minutes.
- Combine the softened cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer.
- Use a hand or stand mixer to beat the mixture in a large bowl until it increases in volume and becomes light and fluffy.Â
- Scoop the cream cheese mixture onto the pudding layer and smooth with an offset spatula be sure to spread in an even layer.
- Place in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Heavenly Layered Lemon Lush Dessert
Ingredients
Crust
- 4 ounces melted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Lemon Layer
- 2 packages instant lemon pudding mix 4-serving size
- 3 cups milk
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup Cool Whip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix together the melted butter, chopped nuts, and flour.
- Spread the mixture into a 9×13-inch pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Let the crust cool for 20 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the pudding mix and milk, and beat until it starts to thicken.
- Pour this over the cooled crust.
- Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, and Cool Whip, and spread over the pudding.
Notes
- When mixing the crust, the mixture should stick together when you squeeze it in the palm of your hand. If it appears crumbly and doesn’t hold its shape, you can add a bit more butter before pressing it into the dish. This will ensure that the crust doesn’t fall apart when you slice it.
- To prevent a lumpy cream cheese layer, sift powdered sugar beforehand. Clumps can form from pantry storage or transportation. You’ll also want to avoid working with cold cream cheese.
- Make sure to allow the crust to cool fully before adding the pudding layer. If you have already added it to a hot crust and the pudding mixture becomes soupy, stick it in the freezer for a bit to help it set. Don’t add the cream cheese layer until the pudding layer stiffens!
- If you want to use homemade whipped cream in place of the Cool Whip, you must add a stabilizer to it. The Cool Whip already has a nice structure, making it the ideal option for the recipe.
Nutrition
Recipe variations
Crushed walnuts, cashews, pistachios, or pecans work well in this Lemon Lush delight crust recipe, but you can make it extra special by using candied nuts.
If you don’t care for lemon or want something different, you can change the flavor of this recipe. Simply substitute the lemon pudding with the flavor of your choice. Here are some recommendations:
- Banana Cream
- Butterscotch
- Caramel
- Chocolate
- Pistachio
Changing the flavor is up to you, so feel free to be creative!
How long do you need to chill Lemon Lush before serving?
Cover the Lemon Lush dessert with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours before serving.Â
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Lemon Lush needs to chill for at least 2 hours before serving, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate.
For best results, consume within 2-3 days, as the crust may begin to soften over time. While still delicious, the textural contrast that makes this dessert special will gradually diminish.
Love lemon? Try these recipes!
Favorite Dessert Recipes
- Ambrosia Cake
- Banana Split Cake
- Coca Cola Cake
- Hello Dolly Bars
- Karo Pecan Pie
- Kool-Aid Pie
- Mountain Dew Cake
- Millionaire Pie
- Pecan Pie Brownies
- Texas Sheet Cake
Check out more of my easy dessert recipes and family favorite recipes here on CopyKat!
I’ve made this for years, but I use a double graham cracker pie crust instead. No one’s ever complained, great, simple recipe..
This is so delicious. I used Lemon pudding it was so good!