Lemon Lush Layered Dessert (Print Version)
A refreshing layered dessert with buttery crust, tangy lemon cream cheese filling, and light whipped topping—ideal for warm weather gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
→ Cream Cheese Layer
04 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 cup powdered sugar
06 - 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
→ Lemon Layer
07 - 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant lemon pudding mix
08 - 2 1/2 cups cold milk
09 - 2 tsp grated lemon zest (optional)
→ Topping
10 - 1 1/2 cups whipped topping, thawed
11 - 1 tbsp lemon zest, for garnish (optional)
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a medium bowl, blend flour, softened butter, and powdered sugar until crumbly. Press evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
03 - Bake crust for 18 to 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely before proceeding.
04 - With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
05 - Whisk together lemon pudding mixes and cold milk (and lemon zest, if using) for 2 minutes until thickened. Let sit for 5 minutes to fully set, then spread evenly over the cream cheese layer.
06 - Spread remaining whipped topping evenly over the lemon layer.
07 - Garnish with lemon zest if desired.
08 - Chill for at least 2 hours, preferably 3 or more, before slicing and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The layers look like you spent all day on something fancy, but the whole thing comes together with barely any effort.
- That tangy lemon pudding middle cuts through the richness of the cream cheese in a way that keeps people coming back for seconds.
02 -
- Patience is everything here because cutting into this cake before it has chilled fully will give you a delicious but messy puddle instead of clean, beautiful layers.
- The pudding thickens fast once you start whisking, so have your cream cheese layer completely spread and ready before you mix the lemon layer.
03 -
- Set your cream cheese out the night before so it is truly soft, because cold cream cheese will leave you with stubborn lumps no amount of mixing can fix.
- Toasting the pecans lightly before adding them to the crust deepens their flavor in a way that makes people ask what your secret is.