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Lemon Lush Dessert

Lemon Lush Dessert

Lemon Lush Dessert is a refreshing and decadent dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust layered with lemon cream cheese and homemade lemon pudding.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 662 kcal

Equipment

  • baking dish

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold
  • 2 cups flour fluffed and levelled - 260 grams
  • cup granulated sugar 67 grams

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 2 packages cream cheese 8 oz or 250 grams each, room temperature
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Lemon Pudding

  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar 150 grams
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons corn starch
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon zest about 2-3 lemons
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • yellow food coloring

Sweetened Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup powdered icing sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Make the Crust

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, cold butter (cubed) and sugar until crumbly.
  • Press firmly into a 9x13" baking dish and bake for 10-12 minutes, until just dry looking on top. Let cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer.

Cream Cheese Layer

  • In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add powdered sugar and lemon juice and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. If needed, add additional lemon juice or milk so that the filling comes together.
  • Spread cream cheese mixture over cooled crust and refrigerate to chill.

Lemon Pudding Layer

  • In a large saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, eggs, corn starch, and lemon zest until completely smooth.
  • Place on the stove and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it comes to a low simmer.
  • Reduce heat if necessary so that the pudding doesn't boil, and cook and stir until thickened.
  • Stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract. Add a couple drops of yellow food coloring if desired.
  • Remove from the heat and press through a strainer into a medium bowl. Allow to cool to room temperature before spreading over the cream cheese layer in the pan.
  • Place pan in the fridge and chill until completely cold, at least 6 hours.

Whipped Cream

  • In a medium bowl, whip the cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  • Spread over chilled pudding layer and refrigerate dessert until ready to serve.

Notes

Cool the crust completely before adding the cream cheese layer. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Chill for at least 6 hours for the dessert to set completely. This Lemon Lush lasts 3-4 days in the fridge, making it great to prepare ahead of time.

Nutrition

Serving: 179gramsCalories: 662kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 8gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 168mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 1672IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cream cheese dessert, layered dessert, lemon dessert, Lemon Lush Dessert, no-bake dessert, summer dessert
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