This Lemon Lush recipe is an easy layered lemon dessert with a buttery sugar cookie crust, creamy lemon pudding, tangy cream cheese, and fluffy whipped topping. Cool, smooth, and simple to make, this easy lemon dessert is perfect for spring gatherings, summer parties, potlucks, and holiday tables.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this Lemon Lush.
Sugar Cookie Mix: This is the base of the dessert. The baked cookies are turned into crumbs and combined with butter for the cookie-like crust. A few extra cookies are crushed on top for garnish, adding a little crunch.
Cream Cheese: It creates a rich, tangy layer to top the cookie crust, lending that signature creamy texture and helping balance the overall sweetness.
Lemon Peel: This adds bright, fresh citrus flavor to the cream cheese layer, making the whole dessert taste more vibrant and lemony.
Whipped Topping: Frozen, thawed whipped topping lightens the cream cheese layer and forms the final fluffy top layer, giving the dessert its airy, creamy finish.
Lemon Pudding Mix: This creates the smooth lemon pudding layer when mixed with milk, bringing the dessert its bold lemon flavor, soft texture, and classic “lush” look.
Other Ingredients You’ll Need: Butter, egg, powdered sugar, milk.
Here are simple steps and tips for making Lemon Lush.
After baking the cookies, let them fully cool before making the crust. Warm cookies can turn gummy instead of crumbly. Save 6 cookies for the topping, then turn the rest of the cookies into coarse (not fine) crumbs for the best crust texture. After mixing with butter, firmly press the cookie crumb mixture into the pan bottom. This helps it hold together when you slice and serve.
Start with softened cream cheese. That makes it much easier to get a smooth filling without lumps. Also, scrape the bowl often while mixing the ingredients together. Then, evenly spread the mixture over the crust.
Whisk the pudding mix and milk until thick before spreading. If it is still loose, the layers can slide. Spread it over the cream cheese layer.
After spreading the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer, don’t skip the chill time. The 4-hour refrigeration helps the layers set, so the dessert slices neatly.
Crush the reserved cookies, and add them on the top right before serving if you want the best crunch.
Here’s how to store leftover Lemon Lush to enjoy later.
Store this dessert covered in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Heat oven to 375°F.
Make and bake drop cookies as directed on the cookie mix pouch. Cool completely, at least 30 minutes. Set aside 6 cookies for the garnish.
In a food processor, process half of the remaining cookies to coarse crumbs. Remove to a medium bowl. Continue to process the second half of the remaining cookies to coarse crumbs; add to the bowl. Stir in the melted butter until well blended.
In an ungreased 13x9-inch pan, press the cookie crumb mixture firmly in the bottom. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon peel with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl frequently. Beat in 2 cups whipped topping. Spread over the cookie crust.
In another medium bowl, beat dry pudding mix and milk with a whisk for about 2 minutes or until thick. Spread over the cream cheese mixture.
Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
When ready to serve, place the 6 reserved cookies into a quart-size resealable food-storage plastic bag. Seal bag; coarsely crush cookies with a rolling pin. Sprinkle crushed cookies over the whipped cream. To serve, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.
To quickly soften cream cheese, remove from the wrapper, and place on a microwaveable plate; microwave uncovered on High for about 15 seconds or just until softened.
| Food Component / Nutrient | Amount | % , Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 14g | 21% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 43% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | % Value Not Available |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Omega-3 | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 190mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Soluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Insoluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Sugars | 24g | % Value Not Available |
| Protein | 3g | % Value Not Available |
| Vitamin D | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Calcium | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Iron | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Potassium | 75mg | 2% |
| Vitamin A | Value Not Available | 8% |
| Vitamin C | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin E | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Thiamin | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Riboflavin | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Niacin | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Folic Acid | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Vitamin B12 | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Pantothenic Acid | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Phosphorus | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Magnesium | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Zinc | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Manganese | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Selenium | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Copper | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Beta-Carotene | Value Not Available | % Value Not Available |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||
