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Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe: I am a contributor to Amanda’s Cookin’ and this recipe first appeared on there as Lemon Lush.

This Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe is perfect for Spring and Summer picnics and gatherings. It's so light and refreshing with 4 layers of bottom pecan crust, lemon cream cheese, lemon pudding, and topped with a whipped topping garnished with lemon zest.

Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe

Hello Everyone, I don't know about you but I am dreaming of warm days, blooming flowers, and sun rays of Spring and Summer.

This Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe has a layer of lemon cream cheese and lemon pudding.

And who doesn't like pudding?

Pudding is like comfort food for me.

It's not too sweet, so you can have a little more and really enjoy it.

For garnishing the top, you can also sprinkle some finely chopped pecans along with the lemon zest if you choose.

You can also get all fancy if you want and pipe the whipped topping using a pastry bag and perhaps a star tip.

Ingredients

Bottom Pecan Crust Layer

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, melted and cooled
• ½ cup finely chopped or food processor processed pecans
• ¼ cup granulated white sugar

Lemon Cream Cheese Layer

• 2 (8 ounces) packages of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Lemon Pudding Layer

• 2 (3.4 ounces) packages of instant lemon pudding mix
• 1 ½ cups milk

Whipped Topping and lemon Zest Garnish Layer

• 1 (8-ounce) container of whipped topping (I used Cool Whip), you can substitute the same amount of whipped cream
• Zest of ½ a lemon
• Optional: Sprinkle finely chopped pecans on top
• Optional: Lemon quarter slices to garnish the top

Kitchen Tools

• 9-inch x 13-inch baking pan
• Food processor or sharp knife for pecans
• large mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Wet measure
• baking spatula
• whisk
• offset spatula
• grater for zesting the lemon
• Spatula for serving

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You can freeze the Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe overnight (at least 6 hours) to get more defined slices.

Make sure you use a sharp knife to cut down into the bottom crust first before removing it with the spatula.

It will defrost fairly quickly.

Do not freeze if you substituted homemade whipped cream for the whipped topping because I can not guarantee the results.

I suggest getting an organic lemon, if you can, since you will be using the zest for topping.

I suggest using an offset spatula for spreading the layers and making sure it's clean before starting a new layer.

After refrigerating, and serving to show more defined layers, you can just take a butter knife and "wipe" along the sides and the layers will show nicely.

How long does it take to thaw after freezing?

The exact time it takes for the Lemon Lush dessert to thaw can vary based on factors such as the temperature of your refrigerator, the size of the dessert, and the specific layers and ingredients used in the recipe. However, here's a general guideline:

1. Refrigerator Thawing: It's recommended to thaw the Lemon Lush dessert in the refrigerator, as this allows for gradual and even thawing. Generally, it might take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours or even overnight for a dessert of this type to fully thaw in the refrigerator.
2. Overnight Thawing: To be on the safe side, especially if you're planning to serve it for an event or occasion, you can place the frozen dessert in the refrigerator the night before you plan to serve it. This way, it will have ample time to thaw completely.

Keep in mind that custard-based and creamy layers might take a bit longer to fully thaw compared to crust layers. If you find that the dessert is still slightly frozen in the middle when you're ready to serve, you can let it sit at room temperature for a short while to help soften the layers a bit.

It's better to err on the side of caution and give it more time to thaw than to rush the process, as this will help maintain the integrity of the layers and flavors.

If you're short on time and need to speed up the thawing process, you can place the dessert in a cold water bath. This can help accelerate thawing while still maintaining the quality of the dessert. Just be sure to keep the dessert in its packaging or a sealed container to prevent water from getting in.

Remember, the goal is to have the dessert fully thawed and ready to serve while maintaining its taste and texture.

Guidelines for Freezing this Recipe

Here's a general guideline for serving after freezing this recipe:

1. Freezing: After assembling the dessert according to the recipe, you can place it in the freezer. Make sure it's covered well to prevent freezer burn.
2. Thawing: When you're ready to serve the frozen Lemon Lush, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator. Allow it to thaw for several hours or overnight. This gradual thawing will help maintain the texture of the layers.
3. Slicing: Once the dessert is fully thawed, you can use a sharp knife to slice it into servings. The note in the recipe suggests that freezing it overnight will help you achieve more defined slices.
4. Serving: After slicing, you can serve the Lemon Lush as you would when it's freshly made. The texture might be slightly different from the original, but the flavors should still be enjoyable.

Remember to consider the note about using a sharp knife to cut into the bottom crust first before removing it with a spatula. This will help ensure that the slices hold their shape nicely.

Also, since you're planning to use lemon zest to top the dessert, it's a good idea to add the zest just before serving to ensure the freshest flavor and vibrant appearance.

As always, when serving any frozen dessert, it's best to use your judgment and taste to assess the quality after thawing. If the flavor and texture are to your liking, then you've successfully frozen and served your Lemon Lush dessert.

I know you will enjoy this Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe, it's so light and delicious you will want more than one slice!

Recipe Attribution

This recipe is inspired by Lemon Lush from Spicy Southern Kitchen

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Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe

Yield: 12 slices

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

This Dreamy Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe is perfect for Spring and Summer picnics and gatherings. It’s so light and refreshing with 4 layers of bottom pecan crust, lemon cream cheese, lemon pudding and topped with a whipped topping garnished with lemon zest.

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Ingredients

• BOTTOM PECAN CRUST LAYER:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter melted and cooled
• ½ cup pecans finely chopped or food processor processed
• ¼ cup granulated white sugar
• LEMON CREAM CHEESE LAYER:
• 16 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• LEMON PUDDING LAYER:
• 6.8 ounces instant lemon pudding mix 2 3.4-ounce packages
• 2 cups milk
• WHIPPED TOPPING & LEMON ZEST GARNISH LAYER:
• 8 ounces whipped topping Cool Whip or you can substitute the same amount whipped cream
• Zest of ½ a lemon
• Optional: Sprinkle finely chopped pecans on top
• Optional: Lemon quarter slices to garnish the top

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, melted and cooled butter, finely ground pecans, and ¼ cup sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes (25 mins works best for me) until golden brown. Allow cooling completely before adding any layers.
3. Using a hand electric mixer, combine cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 tablespoons works best for me). The mixture should be even and smooth. Spread evenly on top of the baked and cooled bottom pecan crust.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk milk and instant lemon pudding mix until set. It may take 4-5 minutes to thicken. Spread evenly on top of the lemon cream cheese mixture.
5. Spread thawed whipped topping on top of the pudding layer. Add lemon zest and optional finely chopped pecans. Refrigerate for 1 hour to set before serving. Optionally, you can freeze the Lemon Lush overnight for more defined slices. Do not freeze if you substitute homemade whipped cream because it might not hold up like frozen whipped topping like Cool Whip. Enjoy!

Notes

I suggest using an offset spatula for spreading the layers and make sure it's clean before starting a new layer.

After refrigerating, for serving to show more defined layers, you can just take a butter knife and "wipe" along the sides and the layers will show nicely.

You can freeze the Lemon Lush overnight (at least 6 hours) to get more defined slices. Make sure you use a sharp knife to cut down into the bottom crust first before removing it with the spatula. It will defrost fairly quickly.

I suggest getting an organic lemon if you can since you will be using the zest to top the Lemon Lush.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 710Total Fat: 54gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 343mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 10g

Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.

Did you make this recipe?

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

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