This lemon lush dessert is one of my all-time favorites! A crumbly homemade crust forms the base of this classic recipe. Made with layers of whipped topping and lemon pudding, you’ll love every single bite!
Sunshine on a plate. That’s what I’m calling this recipe on this wintery day. My mom has been making this lemon dessert again lately, and it takes me back to when my grandma made it and called it lemon lush. I love the fresh lemon flavor so much that I decided to make it again to share with you. Something about a fresh fruity dessert in the winter makes life feel like spring. No sunshine outside. No problem. I’ve got lemon lush.
What I love about this dessert is the creamy texture with the crunch of the buttery crust. And just like this moist lemon cake you can make it a day ahead. It’s just about better than the first day you make 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.
How to Make Lemon Lush Dessert – Video
Ingredients
This recipe is made with multiple layers. Here’s what you will need:
Shortbread Layer
- All Purpose Flour – Fluff the flour into the measuring cup and level to get an accurate measurement
- Cold Butter – Make sure the butter is cold to give the crust it’s flaky texture
- Chopped Pecans – This ingredient can be left out if you choose (but I recommend it!)
Cream Cheese Layer
- Softened Cream Cheese – Make sure to soften your cream cheese first to make it easier to spread
- Cool Whip – I use the original cool whip to get the best results
- Sugar – This adds sweetness to this layer
Lemon Pudding Layer
- Lemon Instant Pudding – I recommend Jell-O brand for the best taste, other brands taste different
- Milk – Cold milk will help to whip the pudding together and make it creamy
Whipped Topping Layer
- Cool Whip – More cool whip – because, why not?
- Chopped Pecans – I like to top it with some chopped nuts for a little color – but optional
How to Make Lemon Lush Dessert
- The shortbread layer is is made with just flour, butter and pecans. You mix and pat it into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. After baking for 20 minutes, you have a crumbly crust. Let cool completely before making the next layer.
- The cream cheese layer is a mixture of softened cream cheese, cool whip and sugar. Again, you just mix it up and spread onto the crust. I do recommend spooning it on and then carefully spreading it. The crust is crumbly so you want to gently add the second layer.
- The lemon pudding layer is easy! Mix instant lemon pudding and milk to get this smooth layer.
- The whipped topping layer is simply spreading the cool whip over the entire dessert and sprinkling with pecans.
I hope you enjoy this dessert as much as we do around our home. I have to make sure I make this lemon lush recipe when I know I’ll be sharing it with others. I have no self control when it comes to this lemon dessert! Enjoy!
Lemon Lush FAQ
No, this is more of a savory lemon dessert.
You can add lemon peel to the lemon pudding. I would do this with a cook n’ serve pudding mix to really bring out the tart flavor.
Although I’ve not tried it, I can’t see why not. All these ingredients freeze well!
Yes. Just leave them out. You’ll miss out on the crunchy texture, but it will still be delicious.
Yes. But I can’t guarantee the same great taste. However, the texture should be the same using low fat and sugar free ingredients.
I do recommend buying Jell-O brand lemon pudding. The off-brands (including a very popular grocery store) just don’t have the same great flavor and creamy texture.
Lemon Lush Dessert
Ingredients
Shortbread Layer
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cold butter
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz cool whip
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Lemon Pudding Layer
- 13.6 oz lemon instant pudding
- 5 cups cold milk
Whipping Topping Layer
- 8 oz cool whip
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚ F.
Shortbread Layer
- Cut cold butter into flour. Mix well and add pecans. Pat into the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
Cream Cheese Layer
- Whip together softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Fold in 8oz of cool whip. Spread over fully cooled shortbread layer.
Lemon Pudding Layer
- Combine lemon pudding and milk. Beat until thick. Spread over cream cheese layer.
Whipping Topping Layer
- Spoon and swirl the remaining cool whip on top. Sprinkle with pecans.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Comments & Reviews
Do you use plain flour?
All-purpose flour is used in this recipe.
Can’t wait to try it
Thank you
Delicious. A cool and refreshing dessert. We take weekly meals to our shutins in our church. They really like this dessert because it’s not heavy. Just a little “I agree”. I am so aggravated that a well know store has almost stopped carrying name brand products. I’ve got news for them their “name” products are second rate. Have almost stopped shopping there!! Sorry to add extra info. Your dessert is delicious. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! This is one of my all-time favorites so I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it as well!
I made this for dessert tonight. But added lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Just curious if you can substitute lemon curd for pudding?
I’m not sure why it wouldn’t work. It would give a different consistency as my experience with lemon curd is that it’s not quite as “gelatin” as the pudding would be. The flavor would also be more tart, but I think it would be delicious and is definitely worth a try. Let me know how it turns out!
Can whip cream be used instead of cool Whip?_
Yes, you could use homemade whipped cream instead of cool whip. I would not use the store-bought whipped cream, as it won’t have enough density to it for the recipe.
Lemon curd is what the original recipe calls for !
Lemon curd is what the original recipe calls for !
The best dessert ever! Make this and you can’t go wrong! A total crowd-pleaser! Don’t plan on leftovers! Thank you for posting this!!!!
Awesome! It is my favorite!
Can you use almond milk instead of milk in the lemon lush receipe?
I did a little research and it looks like almond milk will work with the jello pudding. It may alter the taste a little bit, but it’s worth a try!
Our family originally made this with chocolate pudding. Then many years ago I thought it would be good with bananas and vanilla pudding. Then a friend loved butterscotch so I tried with that and it was a favorite even with people not familiar with butterscotch. Now I’m on a lemon kick and have to try it. This recipe calls for twice as much pudding but that sounds good too
Butterscotch sounds amazing! I’ll have to give that adaptation a try! Thanks for sharing.
I made this for my family back 40 years ago and we also called it lemon lush. Did you ever live anywhere near North Andover, MA?
No, we live in Ohio. It’s fascinating how good dessert recipes traveled!
I won 2nd place in a dessert contest. They all wanted recipie. So easy.
That is awesome!! It is really so easy that’s it’s amazing how good this lemon dessert is. Thanks for sharing your success!