Everyone Will Love This Easy Lemon Lush (My Family Is Obsessed)
This recipe yields a delightful no-bake lemon lush dessert, featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a rich cream cheese layer, and a tangy lemon pudding topping, all crowned with light whipped cream. It's an effortlessly assembled, refreshing treat, perfect for any occasion, emphasizing chilling time for best results.
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish Or similar rectangular dish
- 1 Electric Mixer Hand or stand mixer
- 2 Large Mixing Bowls For separate layers
- 1 Rubber Spatula For spreading and folding
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Main
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 cups 240 g all-purpose flour , plus more for your hands
- 2 sticks 8 ounces unsalted butter , softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2/3 cup 132 g sugar
- 2 3.4-ounce packages instant lemon pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk preferably whole
- 1 8-ounce container whipped topping , thawed in the refrigerator
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 2 sticks of softened unsalted butter. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined and crumbly, resembling coarse sand.
- Press the flour and butter mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the crust cools, prepare the cream cheese layer: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1 stick of softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together the two packages of instant lemon pudding mix and 3 cups of cold milk until thickened, about 2 minutes. Let it sit for 5 minutes to set further.
- Gently spread the thickened lemon pudding layer over the cream cheese layer.
- Carefully spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the lemon pudding layer.
- Cover the dish loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow all layers to set completely.
Notes
Ensure all dairy ingredients, especially butter and cream cheese, are at true room temperature for optimal creaming and a smooth, lump-free texture in the layers. For the crust, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to prevent crumbling when serving. Baking it until golden brown, then allowing it to cool completely before adding layers, is crucial for a crisp base. When preparing the instant pudding, always use cold milk to ensure it sets properly and quickly. Chill the assembled dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow all layers to set firmly, making for clean, precise cuts and an enjoyable texture.