This lemon lush recipe is the quintessential lemon lasagna dessert. It has the perfect blend of textures with a rich, sweet, and tart lemon flavor that satisfies every craving. I could eat this every day for weeks.
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with a symphony of flavors with this irresistible lemon delight. Perfect for any occasion, from summer gatherings to cozy summer evenings, this layered dessert will soon become a favorite part of your recipe collection.
![](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lemon-Lasagna-Dessert.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with sunny citrus flavors
- Creamy layers that melt in your mouth
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- A versatile dessert for any season or occasion
- Delightfully refreshing and satisfying
![](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lemon-Lush-Lasagna-Layered-Dessert-Recipe.jpg)
How to Make Lemon Lush
Making the Lemon Lush recipe is a fairly hands-off process. The crust is mixed and baked for fifteen minutes first, and then the remaining layers are added one at a time. Between layers, the dish is chilled to allow each layer to set.
Ingredients for the best lemon dessert
![lemon lush ingredients.](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lemon-Lush-ingredients.jpg)
Crust:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- Unsalted butter, softened
Cream Cheese Layer:
- Cream cheese, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon zest
- Fresh lemon juice
- Whipped topping, thawed
Pudding Layer:
- Instant lemon pudding
- Cold milk
Topping:
- Whipped topping, thawed
Optional Ingredients for Garnish:
- Zest of lemon. Use a cheese grater to obtain zest.
- Lemon slices. Cut thin slices of a whole lemon for beautiful garnish.
- Crushed Lemon Cookies. Use a food processor to make crumbs of lemon cookies or have your child crush them by putting them in a plastic zipper bag, removing the air, and using a rolling pin. It's a fun job!
- Candied Lemon Slices. Not nearly as sour as straight lemon slices, candied lemon slices are both delicious and beautiful.
Equipment and kitchen tools
- 13x9 baking dish
How to make this lemon lush dessert recipe
Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, chopped nuts, and softened butter until well mixed.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
- Allow the crust to cool completely.
First Layer:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the lemon zest and lemon juice, mixing until well combined.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully incorporated.
- Spread the lemon cream cheese filling mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Second Layer:
- In another bowl, whisk together the instant lemon pudding mix and cold milk until thickened.
- Carefully spread the lemon pudding over the cream cheese layer.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 15 minutes or until the pudding is set.
Third Layer:
- Spread the remaining whipped topping over the lemon pudding layer.
- Optional: garnish with chopped nuts, lemon zest or slices
- Refrigerate the lemon lush for at least 4 hours, or until set.
- Serve chilled, and enjoy every luscious bite!
![How To Make Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/How-To-Make-Lemon-Lush-DessertRecipe.jpg)
Then you cover with the lemon filling.
![Lemon Lush Layered Dessert](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lemon-Lush-Layered-Dessert.jpg)
Top with the final layer and add lemon zest.
![Lemon Lush Delight in 13 x 9 inch pan,](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lemon-Lush-Delight-Recipe-1.jpg)
I am a huge lover of lemon desserts. If you love them too, be sure to try these lemon madeleines or these old fashioned lemon squares.
Tips for the Best Results
- Be sure to use room temperature cream cheese for easy blending.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the best citrus flavor.
- Allow the dessert to chill thoroughly for optimal texture and flavor.
- Refrigerating each layer before adding the new layer will help you spread the new layer without disturbing the old. However, you will still need to be careful. I recommend placing spoonfuls of the new layer all over the top so that you don't have to do as much actual spreading.
- If you plan to use nuts on top, toast them first for a better flavor.
- To get lemon zest, use a fine cheese grater or zester and only scrape off the yellow part of the lemon rind. Do not get any of the white pith or it will be too bitter.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the nuts in the crust for your favorite variety or omit them entirely for a nut-free option.
- Experiment with different pudding flavors, such as vanilla or coconut, for a unique twist.
- Add a homemade lemon curd layer between the cream cheese and pudding layers for extra tangy sweetness.
FAQs about this Recipe
Yes, lemon lush can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
While it's best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze leftovers for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Absolutely! Feel free to use a Graham cracker crust, crushed vanilla wafers, golden Oreos, or even a chocolate cookie crust for delicious variations.
To bake at high altitude, raise the oven temperature by 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Certainly! Just ensure the pudding is fully cooled before layering it over the cream cheese mixture.
Yes. Simply replace the all-purpose flour with an all-purpose gluten-free one-for-one flour. The remaining ingredients should all be gluten-free although I do always recommend reading labels when making dessert for someone with celiac disease or a wheat allergy. Certain brands may have cross-contamination, but you will find this on the label.
This dessert should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can freeze individual portions or bite-sized pieces, if needed, for up to three months in an airtight container.
Don't forget to pin this recipe.
![Lemon Lush](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lemon-Lush.jpg)
More delicious lemon recipes
More Cold Dessert Recipes
📖 Recipe
![Lemon Lasagna dessert.](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lemon-Lasagna-Dessert-360x360.jpg)
Lemon Lush Lasanga
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup nuts pecans or walnuts, chopped finely
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- Cream Cheese Layer
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 8 oz container whipped topping, thawed
Pudding Layer
- 2 boxes 3.4 oz each instant lemon pudding
- 3 cups cold milk
Topping
- 1 8 oz container whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Spray 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray
- Add crust ingredients to large bowl and combine well
- Press into 13x9 baking dish
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown
- Cool completely
First Layer
- Cream together softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth
- Stir in zest, juice and whipped topping until smooth
- Spread over crust
- Place in refrigerator to chill at least 30 minutes
Second Layer
- In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and milk until smooth and creamy
- Spread over cream cheese layer
- Place in refrigerator to chill at least 15 minutes or until pudding is set
Third Layer
- Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding layer
- Optional - add chopped nuts, lemon zest or slices
- Place in refrigerator until ready to serve at least 1 hour
- Store leftovers in refrigerator
Nutrition
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Tamara Bowman
Maybe we'll make it this weekend! We're still laying low with the newborn but I do want to make it for an event and have everyone want the recipe!