Lemon Lush

You'll love this lemon lush dessert recipe. It is a type of dessert lasagna and so refreshing.

We've had a pretty intense heat so far this summer. Hitting 115F where I'm at in the Pacific NW. When it gets that hot, I don't feel like doing a lot in the kitchen, especially if it will heat it up.

This lemon lush recipe was perfect. I made it the night before the really hot weather was going to hit. We love lemon dessert in my house - it is so refreshing and cool that I figured a lemon lush would be a perfect dessert on those hot days.

It didn't take any time to make it, just the time it took for chilling in between each layer.

If you haven't eaten a dessert lasagna before, you might be wondering what it is exactly. This lemon lush - a type of dessert lasagna has a crust on the bottom, followed by a lemony creamy layer, next is a lemon pudding layer, then it's topped off with whipped topping.

This dessert is really easy to put together. The longest part is letting it chill in the fridge between each step.

The texture is soft and creamy, similar to a traditional cheesecake, but slightly softer. The flavor is refreshing, perfect for a hot day.

Leftovers

If you have any leftovers after making this, you can store them in the fridge for up about 4 days.

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ¼ cup nuts, pecans or walnuts, chopped finely
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

Cream Cheese Layer

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed

Pudding Layer

• 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) lemon instant pudding
• 3 cups cold milk

Top Layer

• 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed

Garnish options

• Zest of lemon
• Lemon slices

Equipment

• 13x9" baking dish
• large bowl
• mixer
• spatula

How to Make

Crust

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9" baking dish with oil, butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Add all the crust ingredients to a large bowl and combine well.

Step 3: Press crust mix into the bottom of the 13x9" baking dish.

Step 4: Bake crust for 15-18 minutes or until it is golden brownn.

Step 5: Cool crust completely.

First Layer

Step 1: In a bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and the sugar until smooth.

Step 2: Stir in the zest, juice and whipped topping until smooth.

Step 3: Spread evenly over crust.

Step 4: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Second Layer

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the pudding mix and the milk until it is smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Spread the mix over cream cheese layer in the baking dish.

Step 3: Chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes or until the pudding is set.

Third Layer

Step 1: Spread remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer.

Step 2: If you want, add chopped nuts, lemon zest or slices of lemon over the top of the lemon lush as a garnish.

Step 3: Place in the fridge for at least one hour or until ready to serve.

Store leftovers in refrigerator