This Lemon Lush recipe is something our mom has been making for over 30 years. It’s a foolproof, classic recipe that’s a hit every time.
This dessert serves 12 and costs about $10.79 to make. That’s just about 89¢ per serving!
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Lucious Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe
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! Our brothers remember the first time Mom made Lemon Lush for dessert at home as kids. They all said it was AMAZING and has been one of their favorite desserts ever since.
Mom recalls attending a church activity years ago where her friend brought this Lemon Lush dessert for everyone and then shared the recipe because everyone loved it. Mom took the recipe and, after a few adaptations, has been making it for her family ever since.
This Lemon Lush recipe 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.
Lemon Lush is a layered dessert starting with a shortbread crust full of walnuts, followed by a cream cheese layer topped with lemon pudding, and finished with Cool Whip. This light and creamy dessert is perfect for holidays, a potluck, BBQ, a baby or bridal shower, or any family dinner. When will you serve it?
Lemon Lush Cake ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter – $2.24
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.24
- 1 cup chopped walnuts – $2.81
- 8-ounce block of cream cheese – $1.80
- 1 cup powdered sugar – $0.40
- 3 cups Cool Whip (8 oz container) – $1.19
- (2) 3.4-ounce boxes of instant lemon pudding – $1.78
- 2 ¾ cups milk – $0.33
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. Check out Budget Recipes Explained to learn more about how we price our recipes. The pricing for this recipe was updated in December 2023.
How to make Lemon Lush
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- 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, spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer for the topping. 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).
Lemon Lush Recipe variations and substitutions
- Remove the walnuts for those with nut allergies.
- Instead of the cream cheese layer, you can do a cheesecake or vanilla pudding layer. You will need two boxes of instant pudding.
- Add a layer of fresh sliced strawberries or raspberries between the crust and the filling for a fruity variation.
- Instead of using instant lemon pudding, use instant lime pudding instead.
- Instead of lemon pudding for the filling, you can use blueberry pie filling. This will provide a sweet and fruity twist to the recipe.
Storing Lemon Lush Dessert
- Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products, 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 frozen and defrosted.
Recipe For Lemon Lush FAQs
A shortbread crust is made of simple ingredients. Mixing butter and flour creates the popular shortbread crust. This recipe is extra tasty due to the addition of chopped walnuts in the shortbread crust.
The best trick is to use good quality butter and not generic. Real butter is always best!
Get kids involved with this Lemon Lush Cake
Ages 2-3: Let your kiddo help measure and mix the lemon pudding layer. They can also help sprinkle the top of the finished dessert with chopped walnuts.
Ages 4-5: Have them help measure and mix the crust and 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!
Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe budget tips
Look to stock up on baking items when they go on sale. Then you can make recipes like this anytime you want.
More Dessert Recipes
- Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Chick-Fil-A Copycat Frosted Lemonade
- Blueberry Cobbler
- Pineapple Cream Cheese Pie
- Strawberry Jello Pie
- Lemon Poke Cake
- Copycat Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake
- Cake Mix Peach Cobbler
- Lemon Velvet Cake
Lemon Lush Dessert
Recipe Cost 10.79 Serving Cost 0.89Equipment
- measuring cups
- stand mixer
- Liquid measuring cup
- tin foil
- 9×13 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 9×13-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.
Amanda says
This Classic Lemon Lush Recipe is so simple, yet so delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Del Kehler says
Tastes great with Lemon pie filling instead of lemon pudding & I used Pecans instead of Walnuts.
Absolutely delicious !!!!
Jess Jankowski says
Fabulous substitutions, thanks for letting us know!