Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert

Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert is a refreshing and light dessert with 4 creamy layers and a crunchy shortbread crust.
Lemon lush pudding dessert on a white plate on a wooden table.pinitView Gallery6 photos

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With a buttery shortbread crust, cream cheese icing, lemon pudding, and cool whip, this Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert is a classical “lush” dessert! This is truly one of the best lemon desesrts ever!

Lemon Lush Pudding dessert on a white plate on a wooden table.

This Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert looks incredibly splendid and elegant. No one could tell that it is actually remarkably quick and easy to make. The only part that is baked is the shortbread crust, which only takes 15 minutes. The other layers are just mixed and spread onto the cooled crust. To make this dessert super fast, I use instant pudding for the lemon pudding and cool whip for the top. Of course, if I plan ahead, I will use sweetened whipped cream with vanilla to add that extra oomph. I do add crushed gingersnaps on the top for extra flavor and yum!

Crushed gingersnaps on lemon lush pudding desert.

This dessert is also called lemon delight or lemon lasagne. You can make this lush dessert with other pudding flavors such as pistachio, chocolate, or butterscotch.

Ingredients for Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert

For the Crust

  • All purpose flour
  • Butter, I use room temperature butter to cut in until crumbly.
  • Sugar, I use white, but brown would be delicious.

For the Rest of the Layers

  • Cream cheese, softened and mixed with
  • Icing sugar
  • Instant lemon pudding, 2 boxes, or if you want a thicker lemon layer, just double the pudding and milk.
  • Milk, I use 3 cups of milk with the 2 boxes of instant lemon pudding so that the pudding layer sets up firm enough for cutting.
  • Cool whip, or Dream whip or other brand of whipped topping. Or you can use sweetened whipped cream with vanilla.
  • Crushed gingersnap cookies, which go so well with lemon.

How to Make Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert

For the Crust

  1. Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
  2. Press into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For the Rest of the Layers

1.Crush about 6 gingersnap cookies and set aside.

Crushed gingersnaps in a glass bowl on a wooden table.

2.Mix the softened cream cheese with the icing sugar until well blended. This will be quite thick.

20220620 125538 1

3.Spread over the shortbread crust.I place small dollops on the crust, then gently spread with a small spatula.

Cream cheese/icing sugar layer spread on crust.

4.Whisk the pudding with the milk for 2 minutes. Immediately pour over the cream cheese layer.

Lemon pudding being mixed in a glass measuring cup.

5.Chill a few minutes to firm.

Lemon lush pudding dessert.

6.Spread the whipped topping on the pudding layer.

Spreading cool whip onto Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert.

7.Sprinkle the crushed gingersnaps on the top.

Crushed gingersnaps on lemon lush pudding desert.

8.Chill a few hours before serving for easier cutting.

Lemon lush pudding dessert on a white plate on a wooden table.

Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert is the perfect summer dessert, (although I will make it throughout the year) since there is only 15 minutes of baking for the crust. The flavor is so light, refreshing, and summery too! This scrumptious dessert is great for barbecues, potlucks, baby or bridal showers, or any time you are craving a sweet and lemony treat.

Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert on a wooden table.

History of Lush Desserts

By most accounts, lush desserts originated in the Southern U.S. The first printed recipe was from the 1960’s, using the instant pudding that was invented in the mid 1940’s. Cool Whip was invented in 1966, to save time for housewives. So, with these time saving dessert inventions, lush desserts became an extraordinarily quick, easy, convenient, yet impressive, after meal treat.

Pudding is a light and sweet treat that can be eaten plain or made into so many various desserts. For more recipes using instant pudding, try…

Why you will love Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert

  • Large enough recipe for a big family or to serve guests!
  • Can be made ahead.
  • Simple and quick recipe.
  • Very beautiful desert with the yellow and white layer.
  • Tastes amazing!
Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert on a white plate on a wooden table.

Variations

  • Can use chopped nuts in the crust, and on top. Pecans or almonds are great additions. Just make sure to toast the nuts first.
  • Can use whipped cream instead of the cool whip or dream whip.
  • Lemon pie filling could be used instead of lemon pudding.
  • You could use some crushed gingersnaps in the crust as well as sprinkled on top. Ginger goes so well with lemon!

Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert

Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert is the perfect summer dessert, (although I will make it throughout the year) since there is only 15 minutes of baking for the crust.With a buttery shortbread crust, cream cheese icing, lemon pudding, and cool whip, this Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert is a classical "lush" dessert! This is truly one of the best lemon desesrts ever!

Prep Time20 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time35 minsDifficulty:BeginnerServings:15Calories:278Best Season:Summer

Ingredients

For the crust

For the rest of the layers

Instructions

Video
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  1. For the crust

    Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl. Cut in the butter until crumbly.

  2. Press into a greased 9x13 inch pan.

  3. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For the rest of the layers

  1. Crush about 6 gingersnap cookies and set aside.

    IMG 20220725 WA0043
  2. Mix the softened cream cheese with the icing sugar until well blended. This will be quite thick.

    20220620 125538 Scaled
  3. Spread over the shortbread crust.I place small dollops on the crust, then gently spread with a small spatula.

    20220620 130037 Scaled
  4. Whisk the pudding with the milk for 2 minutes. Immediately pour over the cream cheese layer.

    IMG 20220725 WA0048
  5. Chill a few minutes to firm.

    IMG 20220725 WA0046
  6. Spread the whipped topping on the pudding layer.

    IMG 20220725 WA0035
  7. Sprinkle the crushed gingersnaps on the top.

    IMG 20220725 WA0026
  8. Chill a few hours before serving for easier cutting.

    IMG 20220725 WA0025
Nutrition Facts

Servings 15


Amount Per Serving
Calories 278kcal
Calories from Fat 117kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g20%
Sodium 335mg14%
Potassium 119mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 36g12%
Protein 4.3g9%

Vitamin A 19 IU
Thiamin 10 mg
Riboflavin 17 mg
Folate 10 mcg
Vitamin B12 15 mcg
Phosphorus 26 mg
Selenium 11 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • Cool the crust completely before spreading the cream cheese layer.
  • Chill this Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert for a few hours before serving.
  • Make sure to place small dollops of the cream cheese mixture onto the cooled crust, then spread gently with a small spatula or butter knife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
What is a Lush Dessert?

A lush dessert is a delicious concoction of four layers, consisting of a cookie or graham crumb crust, a cheesecake or cream cheese icing layer, pudding, then whipped topping or whipped cream on the top.

Can you freeze Lemon Lush Pudding Dessert?

Definitely! I have frozen this lemon lush recipe with superb results. Just seal the pan with plastic wrap or a tight fitting lid and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the lemon lush in the refrigerator for 8 hours before serving. The texture will still be perfect!

How do you store Lemon Lush?

Lemon lush pudding dessert must be stored in the refrigerator. Cover with plastic wrap and store for up to 4 days.

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Rebekah Callahan

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