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!
How to Make Mom’s Lemon Lush Recipe:
- First, make and cool the crust.
- Next, make the cream cheese layer and spread this over the cooled crust.
- Then, make the lemon layer and pour this over the cream cheese layer. Smooth it into an even layer.
- Finally, for the topping, spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if you so desire.
- Cover the dish with foil and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- 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.
Flavor and Recipe Variations:
- Remove the walnuts for those with nut allergies.
More sweet desserts:
- Brownie Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Chocolate Wacky Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons
More$15 recipes:
- 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia
- American Goulash
- Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
- Cindy’s Easy Sausage Gumbo
- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
- Easy Beef Chili
- Healthy Greek Mason Jar Salads
- Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
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.
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:
- measuring cups
- stand mixer
- liquid measuring cup
- tin foil
- 9×13 pyrex pan
- pastry spatula
Mom’s Lemon Lush
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
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
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!
Dana Rodriguez says
This looks and sounds really good. I pinned it!
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you!
Lisalia says
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!
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you love it! You can make it up to 3-4 days in advance. It will be perfect for Mother’s Day!
Nellie Tracy says
Yum yum yum! This is the perfect summer recipe! Love it!
Jess Jankowski says
It is my favorite to eat it in the summer time!
Rosanne Robinson says
Ummmmm this Lemon Lush recipe has me drooling, thx so much for sharing the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
You are SO welcome Rosanne!
Hannah Chase says
Wow, this looks amazing and so cheap to make!
Katie Bellamy says
I love Lemon! These look amazing!!
Jess Jankowski says
Katie, I do too! It is the perfect refreshing treat for this time of year.
Iva Tomic says
I am gaining weight just by looking at this. This looks soo good. You are killing me with your delicious recipes.
Jess Jankowski says
Look at some of the healthy recipes and then it balances out, right?!
Gloria says
Well you had me at lemon. I am a lemon lover. This is just my kind of dessert. Perfect for entertaining too.
Jess Jankowski says
You will definitely love this then! Just the right amount of lemon!
Courtney says
This recipe is easy to make, looks impressive, and tastes fabulous. Definitely a keeper!
Jess Jankowski says
Thanks so much Courtney! It is a family favorite for sure!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says
This cake looks so lush indeed! (that’s how we call everything super amazing in the UK:) Love how easy and budget friendly this recipe is. Can’t wait to try!
Jess Jankowski says
Tania it is definitely lush! I’m going to start calling super amazing things lush…love it!
Katie says
I CANNOT wait to try this. Looks SO good!
Jess Jankowski says
Please let us know how it goes Katie!
Laura says
Your mom is a genius, great recipe and so reasonably priced
Jess Jankowski says
Right?! Thanks for stopping by!
Julie says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Julie, you can definitely switch out the walnuts. I love using pecans!
Julie says
Recipes that are passed down are the best. This definitely looks and sounds luscious!
Beth says
My daughter and I love lemon anything! I can’t wait to give this a try! Looks so yummy and wonderful!
Sara Welch says
Love a frugal recipe, and this was no exception! So sweet and delicious; exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth!
Lima Ekram says
Drooling! Cannot wait to try this recipe!
whitney says
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!
grace says
I think you may have meant to say ‘1 stick’ or 1/2 c. butter as two sticks were way too much and the dough was creamy not crumbly.
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Grace, sorry to hear it did not turn out. We do use 1 cup of butter, or two sticks, in our recipe. One reason it may have turned out creamy and not crumbly is due to over-mixing the crust mixture. We hope you will try it again!
Janet F says
Good recipe that’s been around much longer than 30 years. Lost my old recipe and hadn’t made it for a while but this looks the same or very similar. Has always been one of our favorites. You can switch out the pudding for any flavor, today I’m making pistachio but I have used probably every pudding flavor ever created. It’s a good solid recipe everyone seems to like.