Easy Budget Recipes

Mom’s Lemon Lush

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Recipe Cost $10.42
Recipe Serving Cost $0.87
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This Lemon Lush recipe is something my mom has been making for over 30 years because it’s THAT GOOD! It serves 12 and costs $10.42 to make. That’s just 87¢ per serving!

Finished lemon lush recipe with text overlay for Pinterest.

This recipe almost needs no description. The description is in the name: Lemon Lush. The creamy layers are simply luscious! Our mom has been making this Lemon Lush Recipe for over 30 years! My husband remembers the first time Mom made Lemon Lush for dessert at home when he was a kid. He said it was AMAZING and it has been one of his favorite desserts ever since. 
 
Mom recalls going to a church activity years ago where her friend brought this Lemon Lush dessert for everyone and then shared the recipe because everyone loved it so much. Mom took the recipe, and after a few adaptations, has been making it for her family ever since. 
 
This Lemon Lush recipe really is the best dessert because all ages love it. It is a tried and true family recipe that is always the first dessert to be eaten at any event. It is perfect for a potluck, BBQ, baby or bridal shower, or any family dinner. When will you serve it? 
A close up picture of a piece of lemon lush so you can see all 4 layers.

How to Make Mom’s Lemon Lush Recipe:

  1. First, make and cool the crust.
  2. Next, make the cream cheese layer and spread this over the cooled crust.
  3. Then, make the lemon layer and pour this over the cream cheese layer. Smooth it into an even layer. 
  4. Finally, for the topping, spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if you so desire. 
  5. Cover the dish with foil and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 
  6. You should have 2 cups of Cool Whip left in the container, give it a quick stir to loosen it up. Then, spread the Cool Whip evenly over the lemon pudding layer. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts (optional). 

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

  • Ages 2-3: Let them help measure and mix the lemon pudding layer. They can also help sprinkle the topped of the finished dessert with chopped walnuts. 
  • Ages 4-5: Have them help measure and mix the crust and then press it into the pan. They can also help whisk the lemon pudding together. 
  • Ages 6-8: Let them spread the cream cheese layer over the crust and the cool whip topping over the lemon pudding. 
  • Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 
  • Ages 12+:Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

A fork with some lemon lush on it.

Flavor and Recipe Variations:

  •  Remove the walnuts for those with nut allergies.

More sweet desserts:

More$15 recipes:

How long is this good for:

  • Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products in them, you shouldn’t leave this Lemon Lush out for longer than 2 hours. 
  • Store: Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  • Freeze: We do not recommend freezing this dessert because the cream cheese becomes grainy when it’s frozen and then defrosted. 

A slice of lemon lush dessert on a white plate and topped with walnuts.

How much will this Lemon Lush Dessert recipe cost to make?

RECIPE COST: $10.42 

PRICE PER SERVING: 87¢

  • 1 cup salted butter – $1.60
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.38
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts – $1.56
  • 8-ounce block cream cheese – $1.96
  • 1 cup powdered sugar – $0.29
  • 3 cups cool whip (8 oz container) – $1.84
  • (2) 3.4-ounce boxes lemon instant pudding – $1.96
  • 2 3/4 cups milk – $0.44
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts – $0.39

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

Cook’s Tools:

A slice of lemon lush on a white plate with the rest of the lemon lush in the background.

A slice on lemon lush on a white plate showing all of its 4 layers.
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5 from 13 votes

Mom’s Lemon Lush

Recipe Cost $10.42
Recipe Serving Cost $0.87
This Lemon Lush recipe is something my mom has been making for over 30 years because it’s THAT GOOD! It serves 12 and costs $10.42 to make. That’s just 87¢ per serving!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time22 mins
COOLING AND CHILLING TIME3 hrs
Total Time3 hrs 42 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 463kcal

Equipment

  • measuring cups
  • stand mixer
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • tin foil
  • 9x13 pyrex pan
  • pastry spatula

Ingredients

CRUST:

  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

  • 8 ounce block cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cool whip

LEMON LAYER:

  • 2 (3.4-ounce boxes) lemon instant pudding
  • 2 ¾ cups milk anything but skim

TOPPING:

  • 2 cups cool whip
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts for garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

MAKE, BAKE, AND COOL CRUST:

  • Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, add the butter and beat on medium speed until lightened in color, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the flour and walnuts and mix until just combined (the mixture will be crumbly!).
  • Press the mixture into an even layer in an ungreased 9x13-inch pyrex pan.
  • Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the crust is starting to brown around the edges.
  • Move the pan to a wire rack and cool completely.

MAKE CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Add cool whip and beat until combined.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture into an even layer over the cooled crust.

MAKE LEMON LAYER:

  • In a medium bowl add pudding mix and milk. Whisk until thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • Pour the lemon pudding over the cream cheese layer and smooth into an even layer.

TOPPING:

  • You should have 2 cups of Cool Whip left in the container, give it a quick stir to loosen it up. Then, spread the Cool Whip evenly over the lemon pudding layer. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

CHILL:

  • Cover the lemon lush with foil and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.

SERVE:

  • Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 378mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 606IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 1mg
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This Lemon Lush recipe is something my mom has been making for over 30 years because it’s THAT GOOD! It serves 12 and costs $10.42 to make. That’s just 87¢ per serving!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Lisalia

    5 stars
    Yummy! This is one of my favorites. I’ve had it at church functions before but never had the recipe. Looking forward to making this. Wondering… how far in advance can it be made? I’d like to use this for Mother’s Day but need to do in advance. Thanks!

    Reply

  13. Julie

    The Recipe looks tantalizing so I will definitely have to try it. I am not allergic to any nuts whatsoever but the only nut I absolutely can’t stand and find d extremely offensive to the taste is walnuts so that would most definitely have to be substituted. I am insane for cashews so I may go with that.

    Reply

  18. whitney

    5 stars
    There’s no better combo than lemon and cream cheese! And I absolutely love that you included the kids age groups. It’s my goal to get my kids more involved in the kitchen!

    Reply

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