Easy cold lemon dessert (aka lemon lush) made with cream cheese and lemon pudding.
Sunshine on a plate. That’s what I’m calling it this wintery today. My mom has been making this lemon dessert again lately and it takes me back to when my grandma made it. I love the fresh lemon flavor so much that I decided to make it again to share with you. There’s something about a fresh fruity dessert in the winter that makes life feel like spring. No sunshine outside. No problem. I’ve got lemon lush.
What I love about this dessert is not only the creamy texture with the crunch of the buttery crust but the fact that I can make it a day ahead and it’s just about better than the first day I made it. You know I’m all about the practical in addition to the taste.
The only downside to this cold dessert is that you do have to cool the crust after you bake it. I was in a rush to get this done before the sun was setting so I could get pictures for you. So out to the porch I went. I stayed close by afraid a bird, or some other animal, would want a taste. But the sunshine on my face felt soooo good! And the cool weather helped to cool the crust right down.
This lemon dessert is all about the layers of lemony goodness. The first layer is is made from just flour, butter and pecans. The second layer is a mixture of cream cheese, cool whip and sugar. The third is lemon pudding and the final is just cool whip with a sprinkle of pecans. So easy, right!?
I hope you enjoy this dessert as much as we do around our home.
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Lemon Dessert (aka Lemon Lush)
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Prep Time: 20 min - Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18
- Category: dessert
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Pin RecipeDescription
Easy cold lemon dessert (aka lemon lush) made with cream cheese and lemon pudding.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup pecans + extra for top
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 16 oz cool whip
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 boxes lemon instant pudding
- 5 cups milk
Instructions
First Layer
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Cut in butter into flour. Mix well and add pecans. Pat into the bottom of a 9×13 pan and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.
Second Layer
- Whip together cream cheese and the powdered sugar. Fold in half of the cool whip (about 8 oz.). Spread over crust.
Third Layer
- Combine lemon pudding and milk. Beat until thick. Spread over cream cheese layer.
Four Layer
- Spoon and swirl the remaining cool whip on top. Sprinkle with pecans.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
If making this ahead, it will keep for an entire day. I think it’s even better the second day!
If you want to make a smaller dessert, you can cut the recipe in half and use a 9×9 pan.
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Can you substitute almond flour for regular flour?
Hi, I’ve never tried it with almond flour. I can’t see why it wouldn’t work well. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
How much whipping cream would one need to use to substitute for the Cool Whip.
You would need to make about 6 cups of whipped cream. That means you would need about 3 cups of whipping cream to make the needed amount of whipped cream for this recipe.
This is a great dish to make in a pinch to bring to summer potlucks this year. Love the addition of crunch with the pecans!
★★★★★
This looks like a delicious dessert! I can’t wait to try your recipe! I
Looks delicious….have grandsons with tree nut allergies…could Graham crackers be a substitute
Hi! I understand the allergies. My nephew is allergic as well. I don’t see why graham crackers wouldn’t work although I’ve not tried it. You could also try pretzels that are broken up to give it a bit more crunch. And to be honest, you might be okay just completely leaving them out. You wouldn’t have the nutty taste that it brings, but I don’t think it would affect the texture. Graham crackers may. If you try something new, let me know how it goes! I would love to find a good substitute.
Oh my goodness, lemon desserts are my favourite and I want to make this right now! So reminiscent of a lemon meringue pie. I’m drooling already! 😉
★★★★★
First of all, I love the name of this! Second of all, I love that you call it sunshine on a plate 🙂 MUCH needed right now. The color is gorgeous!!
★★★★★
It really does look like sunshine on a plate! Such an easy dessert that’s sure to please at any event. I’m in love with the view from your porch! lol!
★★★★★
I agree! Lemon totally makes wintery days seem some how sunnier. 🙂 This dessert looks absolutely lovely and I’m sure it a really go recipe if your family has been making it for three generations now!
★★★★★
This looks like an easy and delicious dessert. This would be perfect in the summer!
You’re so right, it looks like sunshine on a plate! Beautiful, delicious, and it sounds also easy to make.
Wow! I love this idea, and you are right…it’s perfect for spring! I’m gonna try it
Will make for a meeting this week. Looks tasty for those of us who really like lemon.
It’s the perfect recipe for a meeting! Soooo good!
This looks like a beautiful treat. I am not sure I am with you about fruity desserts being better in the middle of winter. I am pretty much a ‘I love dessert all the time’ sort of guy. My taste buds thank me, but my belly does not. 😉
Spring is right around the corner, however, so I am anxious for all things Spring. Even here in the cold tundra of North Dakota, things are already starting to heat up and I always look forward to daylight savings time. Once we get past that melty, muddy time, Spring is my favorite season.
★★★★★
If spring is your favorite season, then this is the perfect treat to make spring come that much faster! 🙂
This is definitely sunshine on a plate and my kind of dessert. I’m not much of a baker but I can handle this and an added bonus is that my in laws will love this!
This dessert is the bomb! I love lemon. I know I’d love this! Great idea to make it ahead. Makes life so much easier if you can space out food prep when you’re having family over.
★★★★★
This sounds like the ultimate dessert for lemon lovers! I can’t wait to try making this!
★★★★★