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–+ servings
Lemon Lush
Lemon Lush is a nostalgic layered dessert popular in the American Midwest, known for its bright lemon flavor, velvety cream cheese layer, and buttery nut crust. With roots in potluck culture and vintage church cookbooks, it's a crowd-pleaser that combines convenience ingredients like instant pudding and Cool Whip into an elegant, multi-textured treat. Served chilled, it’s perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you want a light yet decadent dessert.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 stick margarine (½ cup)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup nuts (chopped, e.g., pecans or walnuts)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup Cool Whip (plus more for topping)
  • 6.8 oz instant lemon pudding mix (2 packages)
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • chopped nuts ( for garnis, optional)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare Crust

  • Mix margarine, flour, and chopped nuts together.
  • Press into a 9x11-inch baking dish.
  • Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until light golden brown.
  • Cool completely.

Step 2: Make Cream Cheese Layer

  • In a mixing bowl, beat powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth.
  • Fold in 1 cup Cool Whip.
  • Spread mixture over the cooled crust.

Step 3: Prepare Pudding Layer

  • Whisk lemon pudding mix with cold milk until thickened.
  • Pour and spread over cream cheese layer.

Step 4: Final Topping

  • Top with additional Cool Whip and sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
  • Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Tips

  • Allow the crust to cool completely before spreading the cream cheese layer
  • Chop nuts finely for a more even crust texture
  • Use walnuts or pecans as written for authentic flavor
  • Chill overnight for the cleanest slices
  • Add extra Cool Whip for a thicker top layer
  • Sprinkle additional nuts on top for crunch
  • Serve well chilled for best structure
  • Avoid overbaking the crust—it should be just lightly golden
  • Use instant lemon pudding only, as specified
  • Cut with a sharp knife wiped clean between slices

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 190mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 0.8mg
Keyword citrus dessert, creamy layers, lemon pudding, no-bake topping, potluck favorite, retro recipe, vintage dessert
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