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Layered Creamy Lemon Lush

Featured in: Desserts for Every Sweet Craving

This timeless Lemon Lush combines tangy and sweet flavors in perfect harmony across four layers. The base is a crisp pecan shortbread, topped with a rich cream cheese mix, a vibrant lemon pudding center, and finished with fresh whipped cream. The layers create a mix of textures, from nutty and crunchy to smooth and airy. Chill it long enough to set—it’s a great make-ahead dessert for gatherings. You’ll only need about 50 minutes to prepare; most of the effort is hands-off, and you can multitask while the crust bakes.
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Updated on Thu, 01 May 2025 15:11:34 GMT
Creamy Lemon Lush Dessert Pin it
Creamy Lemon Lush Dessert | tastefullyrecipe.com

This velvety mix of zingy lemon and soft creamy tiers turns this Lemon Lush into a treat you can't resist. The flaky butter crust forms the ideal base for stacks of velvety cream cheese, tangy lemon pudding, and fluffy whipped topping that blend perfectly in each delightful mouthful. It adds sunshine to any party and vanishes fast from serving tables.

Every time I bring this to family events, I love seeing everyone's faces light up after their first taste. There's something really special about how all these layers work together to create pure happiness.

Key Ingredients For Amazing Results

  • Fresh lemons: Give that bright citrus kick that makes everything pop
  • Top notch cream cheese: Delivers richness and must be room temp for easy mixing
  • Heavy whipping cream: Needs to be super chilled for the fluffiest result
  • All purpose flour: Creates our tasty shortbread foundation
  • Chopped pecans: Add nutty crunch that works wonderfully with the smooth layers

Putting Together Your Lemon Lush

Making The Base:
Mix flour and butter till you get crumbly bits, then add your chopped pecans. Push this mix into your dish and bake until golden, letting those nutty smells fill your home.
Whipping Up The Cream:
Whip room temp cream cheese until it's totally smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until everything's well blended. Spread this rich mixture over your cooled base.
Creating The Lemon Layer:
Mix lemon pudding with cold milk until it thickens just right. Pour this over your cream cheese layer, making sure that tangy goodness covers everything.
Adding The Fluffy Top:
Beat ice-cold heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks show up, then layer this cloud-like topping over your pudding. This final touch adds the perfect light finish.
Tasty Lemon Lush Pin it
Tasty Lemon Lush | tastefullyrecipe.com

In our house, everyone goes crazy for the cookie crust, and I've learned that throwing in some extra pecans makes it even crunchier – something nobody ever complains about!

Great Serving Ideas

Top with some fresh berries for extra tartness and color. Add a tiny mint leaf for a pretty green touch. This sweet treat goes great with a hot cup of coffee or tea after dinner.

Ways To Switch It Up

Try using lime or orange pudding instead of lemon for a different citrus flavor. If anyone can't eat nuts, just skip the pecans and add a bit more butter for richness. Want more lemon punch? Grate some zest into the cream cheese mixture.

Storage Tips

Keep it wrapped up in the fridge for about 5 days. All the layers stay nice and separate when kept cold. If you're adding fruit on top, wait until right before serving to keep everything fresh.

Lemon Lush Closeup View Pin it
Lemon Lush Closeup View | tastefullyrecipe.com

Making this Lemon Lush always makes me happy, watching basic ingredients turn into something truly wonderful. The bright lemon flavor mixed with the rich creaminess always brings smiles to everyone who takes a bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How much time should Lemon Lush chill before eating?
You'll need at least 4 hours of chilling time, but it's even better if left overnight so everything sets.
→ Can I prepare Lemon Lush the day before?
Yes! Make it up to 2 days in advance, just keep it covered in the fridge until it’s time to serve.
→ Why didn’t my pudding firm up?
Be sure to use instant pudding mix with chilled milk. If it looks runny, let it thicken in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before spreading.
→ Is store-bought whipped cream okay instead of homemade?
Definitely! Swap homemade whipped cream for 8 ounces of store-bought topping if that’s easier.
→ What’s the best way to store leftover Lemon Lush?
Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. The crust might get softer but will still taste great.

Layered Creamy Lemon Lush

Indulge in Lemon Lush, a four-layered delight featuring a shortbread crust, smooth cream cheese, zesty lemon pudding, and fluffy whipped cream.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 pieces)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the rich shortbread crust

01 1 cup softened butter (leave at room temp)
02 2 cups plain flour
03 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

→ For the smooth cream cheese layer

04 2 packs (8 oz each) cream cheese, room temp
05 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 2 cups powdered sugar (sift after measuring)

→ For the tangy lemon section

07 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant lemon pudding mix
08 3 cups milk, chilled

→ For the fluffy topping

09 ½ cup powdered sugar
10 1½ cups cold, heavy cream

Instructions

Step 01

Turn on your oven and set it to 350°F (175°C). Get all your ingredients and tools ready while the oven heats up.

Step 02

Use a food processor to blend together butter and flour until crumbly. Toss in those pecans and pulse again. Don’t have a food processor? A pastry cutter or forks work too—mix butter into flour, then stir in pecans.

Step 03

Evenly press the crust mix into a 9x13 pan. Place it into the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes or until it’s lightly golden. Once done, let it cool completely before moving on.

Step 04

Put the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice into a bowl. Beat it with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread this over the cooled crust.

Step 05

In a mixing bowl, combine your pudding mix with cold milk. Beat for a few minutes until it’s rich and thick. Pop it in the fridge to set quicker if needed. Spread it gently over the cream cheese layer after.

Step 06

Take a fresh bowl and whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until you get fluffy, soft peaks. Spread it over the top layer carefully.

Step 07

Let the dessert sit in the fridge until everything firms up (and tastes even better cold!). Slice and serve when ready.

Notes

  1. Quick tip: Prep your layers while the crust bakes, and let them chill in bowls until you're ready to stack them up. It makes assembly quicker!

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish (9x13 size)
  • Food processor (can swap for pastry cutter)
  • Electric hand or stand mixer
  • Several bowls for mixing

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has nuts (pecans)
  • Has dairy products (butter, cream cheese, milk, cream)
  • Has gluten (uses regular flour)