1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Layered Lemon Lush

Layered Lemon Lush

Featured in Sweet Treats to Make at Home.

This layered lemon treat combines tangy and sweet in every bite! A nutty shortbread base is followed by a creamy cheese blend, zesty pudding, and fluffy whipped cream. It’s the perfect dessert to prepare ahead of time since it needs chilling to set. You’ll spend about 50 minutes making it, but most of that time is just waiting for each step to come together at its best.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:21:48 GMT
Lemon Dessert Pin it
Lemon Dessert | mecooking.com

This velvety combination of zingy lemon and smooth layers makes this Lemon Lush sweet treat impossible to resist. The crumbly buttery base sets up a flawless backdrop for the creamy cheese layer, tangy lemon pudding, and fluffy whipped topping that blend together in each tasty mouthful. This sweet creation adds sunshine to any party and always gets snatched up fast from the dessert spread.

I've whipped this up so many times for family get-togethers, and I still love seeing everyone's faces light up with that first taste. There's something truly special about how all these layers work together to create such a moment of pure delight.

Key Components For Stunning Results

  • Fresh lemons: Give that bright citrus kick that makes this dessert stand out
  • Full-fat cream cheese: Brings a lovely richness and must be fully soft for easy mixing
  • Heavy whipping cream: Needs to be super cold to whip up light and fluffy
  • All purpose flour: Creates that wonderful buttery crust we all crave
  • Chopped pecans: Add a cozy crunch that works beautifully with the soft layers

Building Your Lemon Lush

Making The Base:
Mix flour and butter till you get crumbs, then throw in the chopped pecans. Push this mix into your dish and bake until it turns golden, letting those nutty smells fill up your kitchen.
Whipping Up The Cream Layer:
Work that soft cream cheese until it's super smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until everything's well combined. Spread this rich mixture over your cooled base.
Adding The Lemon Layer:
Mix lemon pudding with cold milk until it gets nice and thick. Pour this over your cream cheese layer, making sure that citrus goodness covers everything evenly.
Topping It Off:
Whip your ice-cold heavy cream with some powdered sugar until it forms gentle peaks, then spread this cloud-like topping over everything. This last touch brings the perfect lightness to finish it off.
Tasty Lemon Lush Pin it
Tasty Lemon Lush | mecooking.com

In our house, everyone goes crazy for the shortbread base, and I've learned that tossing in a few extra pecans makes for an even better crunch that nobody can turn down.

Delightful Companions

Some fresh berries on top look pretty and add a nice tartness. A little mint makes the colors pop and adds freshness. This sweet treat goes great with a hot cup of coffee or tea after dinner.

Make It Your Own

Try using lime or orange pudding instead of lemon for a different twist. If someone can't eat nuts, skip the pecans and put in more butter to keep it rich. Want more lemon punch? Add some zest to the cream cheese part.

Storage Smarts

Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. All the layers will stay nice and separate when kept cold. If you're adding fruit on top, wait until right before you serve it.

Detailed Lemon Lush View Pin it
Detailed Lemon Lush View | mecooking.com

Making this Lemon Lush always puts me in a good mood, watching how basic ingredients turn into something so special. The bright lemon flavor dancing with the rich creaminess never fails to make everyone smile when they take a bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long should this dessert chill before eating?
Give it at least 4 hours to chill, but waiting overnight will give the layers the best texture.
→ Is it okay to make this dessert a day or two early?
Definitely! You can prep it up to 2 days in advance. Just cover it and keep it cold until serving.
→ Why is my pudding layer too runny?
Be sure to grab instant pudding mix and use cold milk. If it’s thin, let it sit in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before spreading.
→ Can I swap homemade whipped cream for store-bought?
You can! Feel free to use an 8-ounce container of whipped topping to save time.
→ What’s the best way to store leftover Lemon Lush?
Cover it and place in the fridge for up to 5 days. The crust might soften a little but will still be tasty.

Layered Lemon Lush

A delightful treat combining four layers: crisp shortbread, creamy cheese, zesty lemon pudding, and fluffy whipped topping.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Mariana

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 slices)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the shortbread crust

01 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
02 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 2 cups plain flour

→ For the smooth cream cheese layer

04 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (2 standard packages)
05 2 cups powdered sugar, sift and measure
06 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

→ For the lemony pudding layer

07 2 packages of lemon-flavored instant pudding (each 3.4 ounces)
08 3 cups cold milk

→ For the fluffy whipped topping

09 1½ cups heavy cream, chilled
10 ½ cup sifted powdered sugar

Instructions

Step 01

Get that oven nice and hot—set it to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, gather everything you'll need, like your ingredients and tools.

Step 02

Use a food processor to mix your flour and softened butter until it's crumbly. Toss in the chopped pecans, and pulse a few more times to finish. No processor? No worries—use a pastry cutter or even two forks to get everything blended.

Step 03

Evenly press the pecan shortbread dough into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges look lightly golden. Let it rest while you work on the other parts.

Step 04

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice using a mixer. Beat until there are no lumps and it’s smooth. After the crust cools, spread this over it in an even blanket.

Step 05

Whisk together instant lemon pudding mix and cold milk for about 3-5 minutes, until it thickens. If it’s not firm enough, pop it in the fridge briefly. Spread this over the creamy layer once set.

Step 06

Whip your cold heavy cream with powdered sugar until it turns soft and airy. Smooth it gently over the lemon topping.

Step 07

Let the assembled dessert chill in the fridge long enough for every layer to firm up. Slice and enjoy when ready.

Notes

  1. Tip: Make each part ahead while your crust bakes and keep them cool in the fridge. Assembly will feel so much quicker!

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 inch pan
  • Food processor or alternative tools (like a pastry cutter)
  • Electric beater
  • Multiple mixing bowls

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has nuts (pecans)
  • Has dairy (butter, cream cheese, milk, heavy cream)
  • Contains gluten (wheat-based flour)