Description
This Lemon Lush Cake is a delightful no-bake layered dessert featuring a buttery baked crust, creamy sweet cream cheese layer, tangy lemon pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. Perfectly chilled, it offers a refreshing lemon flavor and smooth textures for a crowd-pleasing treat ideal for spring and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Lemon Pudding Layer
- 2 (3.4 oz) packages instant lemon pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
Top Layer
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Garnish (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the crust.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Mix until dough forms. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before proceeding.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 1 cup of whipped topping until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crust layer.
- Make the Lemon Pudding Layer: In another bowl, whisk together 2 packages (3.4 oz each) of instant lemon pudding mix with 3 cups of cold milk for about 2 minutes until the pudding thickens. Spread the thickened lemon pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Add the Whipped Topping: Spread the remaining 1 cup of whipped topping evenly over the lemon pudding layer to create the top creamy layer.
- Chill the Cake: Cover the dish and refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set properly and flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish the chilled Lemon Lush Cake with lemon zest and lemon slices for added flavor and decoration. Cut into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- Ensure the crust is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to avoid melting.
- For best results, use cold milk when preparing the lemon pudding to achieve proper thickening.
- This dessert is best served chilled and consumed within 2-3 days.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and whipped topping for the richest flavor and texture.
- You can substitute lemon pudding mix with homemade lemon curd for a fresher taste, but adjust sugar accordingly.
