Lemon Lush
User Reviews
4.3
Lemon Lush
Description
Lemon Lush combines several layers starting with a pecan-studded crust made from flour and softened butter, baked until just golden. Its mild crunch and buttery flavor provide a sturdy and flavorful base. The second layer is a blend of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice beaten together until smooth, creating a tangy, creamy contrast to the nutty crust. The third layer involves instant lemon pudding mixed with milk, beaten well, and chilled slightly to thicken before spreading over the cream cheese layer, adding a sweet and zesty middle. Finally, a topping of whipped heavy cream sweetened with powdered sugar provides a light, airy finish.
The dessert is served chilled, allowing the pudding layer to set and the flavors to meld, creating a dessert with varied textures, from crunchy crust to creamy and fluffy toppings. It's a suitable choice for warm-weather occasions or when a fresh citrus dessert is desired.
Preparing the crust and chilling the fillings while the crust bakes streamlines assembly. Chilling the pudding before layering ensures it has the right consistency for spreading. This dessert can be made ahead and refrigerated to enhance flavor melding.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Pudding Layer:
- 2 (3.4 ounce packages) lemon pudding mix instant
- 3 cups milk
- whipping cream whipped
- 1 1/2 /2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 /2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- For the crust: In a food processor, pulse the flour and butter together until a dough forms. Add the pecans and mix until combined. If you don't have a good processor you can cut the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or 2 forks and add the pecans after the butter is cut in.
- Press the mixture into bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let crust cool. While the crust is baking prepare the remaining layers.
- For the Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice together until smooth. Spread evenly over the cooled crust.
- For the Pudding layer: In a separate bowl, mix the lemon pudding and milk together and beat for 3 to 5 minutes. Let the mixture set up slightly in the refrigerator if it's not thick yet. Once it has set up a little spread it over the cream cheese layer.
- For the Whipped Cream: Beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over pudding mixture.
- Chill dessert until ready to serve.
Notes
- Prepare the crust and chill the cream cheese and pudding layers while baking to save time.
- Chilling the pudding layer before spreading helps it set for a better texture.
- This dessert should be served chilled to maintain its layered textures and flavors.
- Use softened butter and cream cheese for smoother mixing.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
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