Lemon Lush is perfect for your next spring gathering with a cookie crust, cream cheese layer, lemon filling and creamy whipped topping. As the name suggests, this easy dessert is luscious and bursting with lemon flavor.

Lemon Lush

Lemon desserts are bright and flavorful. They are a sure sign that spring has arrived and it is time to celebrate with lighter desserts that pack a punch of tart fruit flavor.

Why You’ll love this recipe for Lemon Lush

Many home cooks look for easy-to-make desserts each spring that are full of lemon flavor. This one fits the bill and comes together in under an hour. With a short list of ingredients, this creamy dessert will be the talk of your next spring get-together.

The 2-ingredient cookie crust bakes up so buttery and soft. The cream cheese layer is sweet and creamy. And the lemon pudding center gives you that punch of bright lemon flavor. Use a premade whipped topping or make your own to finish the dessert.

This affordable recipe for Lemon Lush will become a family favorite, as it has for my family each spring.

More recipes with Lemon

I make these lemony recipes each year to celebrate Easter and the spring birthdays in our family. They always satisfy our cravings for light lemony desserts.

Ingredients for Lemon Lush

There’s a short list of ingredients needed for this spring dessert. You may already have most of these items in your refrigerator and pantry.

Lemon Lush Recipe

What’s needed:

Crust– Two cups of all-purpose flour and one cup of softened butter are blended together to make the shortbread cookie crust. It is a soft, crumbly foundation for the rest of the dessert.

Cream Cheese Layer– Two blocks or softened cream cheese, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and granulated sugar are combined to make the creamy first layer.

Pudding Layer– Mix two boxes of lemon pudding with 3 1/2 cups of milk to make the lemon filling for this dessert.

Whipped Topping– Whether you make it with heavy whipping cream or use store-bought whipped topping, whipped cream is added to the top of the dessert for a fluffy top layer.

Spread the lemon pudding over the cream cheese layer.

How to make Lemon Lush

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a food processor, combine 2 cups of flour with 1 cup softened butter. Pulse 14-15 times until dough comes together in a ball. Press the dough into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  • Bake the crust for 22-24 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow it to cool completely, at least 30 minutes to an hour.
  • In a medium bowl, beat 2 blocks of softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of granulated sugar until smooth. When the crust has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the crust.
  • In a medium bowl, beat together the 2 boxes of lemon pudding mix and 3 1/2 cups of milk for 3 minutes until thick. Spread the pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Before serving, beat 2 cups of heavy whipping cream with 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 tablespoon of sugar with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add the whipped cream to the top of the dessert, spreading evenly. Garnish with small wedges of lemon, if desired. Recipe makes 15 servings. Keep remaining dessert refrigerated for up to one week.
Lemon Lush
Lemon Lush

Spring Sweets Week 2026

Spring has arrived and my food blogger friends and I are celebrating with amazing NEW spring recipes that make the season shine! Below you’ll find recipes for cupcakes, cookies, pies, cakes and so much more.

Look for more recipes for #SpringSweetsWeek as we dive into the season with tasty recipes that will delight you and your family! Be sure to check out these delicious desserts from food blogs around the country.

Don’t these recipes sound amazing? Pick one or more to make this spring for your family. You’ll be so glad you did!

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Lemon Lush

Lemon Lush

5 from 1 vote
Lemon Lush is perfect for your next spring gathering with a cookie crust, cream cheese layer, lemon filling and creamy whipped topping.
Servings: 15 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 2 sticks
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, 2 blocks
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
  • 2 3.4 ounce boxes lemon pudding mix
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • small lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a food processor, combine 2 cups of flour with 1 cup softened butter. Pulse 14-15 times until dough comes together in a ball. Press the dough into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
    Make the cookie crust in the food processor.
    • Grease your hands with cooking spray so cookie dough doesn't stick to your hands when pressing it into the baking dish.
  • Bake the crust for 22-24 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow it to cool completely, at least 30 minutes to an hour.
  • In a medium bowl, beat 2 blocks of softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of granulated sugar until smooth. When the crust has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the crust.
  • In a medium bowl, beat together the 2 boxes of lemon pudding mix and 3 1/2 cups of milk for 3 minutes until thick. Spread the pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
    Spread the lemon pudding over the cream cheese layer.
  • Before serving, beat 2 cups of heavy whipping cream with 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 tablespoon of sugar with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add the whipped cream to the top of the dessert, spreading evenly. Garnish with small wedges of lemon, if desired. Recipe makes 15 servings. Keep remaining dessert refrigerated for up to one week.
    Lemon Lush

Equipment

  • 1 food processor
  • 1 medium mixing bowl
  • 1 electric hand mixer, or whisk
  • 1 13×9-inch baking pan

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 179mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1343IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 1mg