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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Lemon Lush Dessert

    Published: May 31, 2023 · Modified: Mar 27, 2025 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe pin.

    This Lemon Lush recipe is layers of sweet vanilla cookie crust, cream cheese, lemon pudding, and creamy whipped topping. It's a simple yet refreshing dessert that is perfect for summer. Plus, there is no need to turn on the oven.

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    Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • 🍲 Equipment
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Eileen's Tips for Success
    • 📋 Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • 🥗 Serving Suggestions
    • 🍽 Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • This lemon lush desert recipe is creamy and sweet and is always a hit with a crowd.
    • It's a perfect summer treat when you're wanting to keep the kitchen cool.
    • Plus, it's easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Ingredients

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Crust

    • vanilla sandwich cookies
    • lemon zest
    • unsalted butter
    • lemon juice

    Cream Cheese Layer

    Some of the ingredients to make lemon lush.
    • cream cheese
    • frozen whipped topping
    • confectioners sugar
    • lemon juiced

    Lemon Layer

    • Instant vanilla pudding mix
    • Instant lemon pudding mix
    • whole milk

    Whipped Cream Topping

    • frozen whipped topping
    • vanilla cream sandwich cookies
    • lemon slices
    • fresh mint

    🍲 Equipment

    • 9" x 13" baking pan with lid
    • Food Processor
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Disposable Piping Bags
    • Star Piping Tip
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Hand Mixer

    🔪 Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    To make the crust

    1. Grind up the vanilla cream cookies until coarse crumbs form in a food processor. Remove 1 ½ cups of crumbs and set aside.
    2. Pour in the remaining crushed cookie crumbles and mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and melted butter.
    3. Evenly press the crust into the prepared baking dish and place it into the freezer for 20 minutes.
    The crust of a lemon lush in the pan.

    Cream Cheese Layer

    • Cream the cream cheese until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    • And then, slowly beat in the confectioner's sugar and lemon juice.
    • Slowly beat in the whipped topping until combined and smooth, about 1 more minute.
    • Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the crust. Place into the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
    Lemon lush cake with layers of flavor.
    Lemon pudding layer of lemon lasagna.

    How to make lemon pudding layer

    • In a large bowl whisk together the milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, and lemon pudding mix until the mixture begins to thicken.
    • Spread the lemon layer evenly over the cream cheese layer and place it into the refrigerator for an hour.

    How to make whipped cream topping

    • Scoop about 1 ¼ cup of the whipped cream topping into the piping bag and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    • Spread the remaining whipped topping on top of the lemon layer.
    • Sprinkle the remaining crushed cookie crumble evenly over the cool whip and then place into the fridge for two hours.
    • Using the piping bag with the whipped cream topping inside, pipe dollops of cool whip in two rows, and place a lemon slice onto the dollops. Place back in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh mint sprig
    • Garnish with fresh mint sprig.

    💭 Eileen's Tips for Success

    • When buying the sandwich cookies, buy the "original" or regular stuffed cookies. You don't want to purchase the thin or double-stuffed as it will change your crust consistency.
    • Thaw the whipped topping completely.
    • The cream cheese should be at room temperature before making this dessert.
    • I like to press the crust into the pan so it forms nicely to the bottom of the baking dish.
    • For clean-cut slices, chill the dessert overnight before cutting into them.

    📋 Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is it called lush?

    Lush is typically a dessert with layers of pudding, cream cheese, and whipped topping. It got its name for how creamy it is.

    Can I use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

    We recommend no substitution and use Cool Whip because it's stabilized.

    Can this be made ahead of time?

    Yes, this lemon lush lasagna can be made up to a day in advance. Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe?

    • I like to use Golden Oreos or the store-brand equivalent. However, if you want to add even more lemon flavor, you can use lemon-flavored cookies.
    • You can also add fresh lemon zest to the cream cheese layer for an extra hint of lemony flavor.
    • For more tartness, try adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to the pudding layer.

    Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Make ahead - One of the best things about this lemon lush lasagna recipe is that it needs time to chill. So, it's perfect if you make it the night before you plan to serve it.

    Storage - Store lemon lasagna in the refrigerator, covered with a lid or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap, for up to three days.

    A layered lemon lush lasagna topped with graham grackers, whipped cream, and a lemon wedge.

    🥗 Serving Suggestions

    Grilled Chicken Asparagus

    Cucumber Tomato Salad

    Roasted Corn on the Cob

    🍽 Similar recipes

    Blender Lemon Pie.

    Lemon Yogurt Cake

    Lemon Raspberry Muffins recipe

    Keto Lemon Bars

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    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    📖 Recipe

    Layered lemon lasagna dessert on a white plate.

    Lemon Lush Recipe

    Lemon Lush or Lemon Lasagna is a creamy lemon filled no bake dessert. A delicious recipe for any event. Great for summer parties, BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: lemon lasagna, lemon lush, lemon lush dessert
    Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Chill Time: 3 hours hours
    Total Time: 3 hours hours 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 771kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • 9" x 13" baking pan with lid
    • Food Processor
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Disposable Piping Bags
    • Star Piping Tip
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Hand Mixer

    Ingredients

    Crust

    • 2 (14.3) ounce vanilla sandwich cookies coarsely chopped, family-size pack of cookies Note 1
    • 2 large lemons zested
    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

    Cream Cheese Layer

    • 1 (8) ounce cream cheese softened
    • 1(8) ounce frozen whipped topping thawed
    • 1 cup confectioners sugar sifted
    • 1 large lemon juiced

    Lemon Layer

    • 1 (3.4) ounce instant vanilla pudding mix
    • 1 (3.4) ounce instant lemon pudding mix
    • 3 cups whole milk

    Whipped Cream Topping

    • 1 (16) ounce frozen whipped topping thawed
    • 1 ½ cups vanilla cream sandwich cookies coarsely chopped
    • lemon slices optional garnish
    • fresh mint optional garnish

    Save the Recipe?

    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Instructions

    To make the crust

    • Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick baking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • To the bowl of a food processor, using the blade attachment, grind up the vanilla cream cookies until coarse crumbs form, similar to sand.
    • Set aside 1 ½ cups of the cookie crumbs for the topping.
    • To make the crust, in a large mixing bowl, pour in the remaining crushed cookie crumbles. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and the melted butter t
    • Evenly press the crust into the prepared baking dish and place it into the freezer for 20 minutes.

    Cream Cheese Layer

    • In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer with beaters attached, beat the cream cheese until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    • To the cream cheese, slowly beat in the confectioner's sugar and lemon juice.
    • Slowly beat in the whipped cream topping until combined and smooth, about 1 more minute.
    • Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the crust. Place into the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

    How to make lemon layer

    • Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, and lemon pudding mix until the mixture begins to thicken.
    • Spread the lemon layer evenly over the cream cheese layer and place into the refrigerator for an hour. Scoop about 1 ¼ C of cool whip into the piping bag and set aside

    How to make whipped cream topping

    • Scoop about 1 ¼ cup of the whipped cream topping into the piping bag and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    • Sprinkle the remaining crushed cookie crumble evenly over the cool whip and then place into the fridge for two hours.
    • Using the piping bag with the whipped cream topping inside, pipe dollops of cool whip in two rows, and place a lemon slice onto the dollops. Place back in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh mint sprig
    • Garnish with fresh mint sprig.

    NOTES

    Note 1: Golden Oreos or lemon sandwich cookies can be used.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 771kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 688IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!




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