1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Lemon Lush Layers

Lemon Lush Layers

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Favorites.

Four layers of happiness in one dessert! A buttery Golden Oreo bottom holds rich lemon cream, smooth pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. Tangy and sweet in one bite.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Aisha
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:34:47 GMT
A layered lemony dessert with whipped topping, garnished with lemon and strawberry, served on a plate with a fork. Pin it
A layered lemony dessert with whipped topping, garnished with lemon and strawberry, served on a plate with a fork. | cookingflavor.com

This zesty layered treat features a crumbly Golden Oreo base, creamy lemony cheese mix, homemade citrus pudding, and fluffy topping - all without needing to bake! It's super simple to put together yet delivers amazing fresh flavor that's perfect when the weather heats up. Everyone at your summer party or family meal will be wowed by its bright taste and smooth, dreamy texture.

What Makes This Zesty Lemon Lush Special

There's something magical about the mix of smooth, tangy and sweet in this dessert. The different layers look amazing when sliced and taste even better together. Since you don't need to turn on your oven, it's great for hot summer days. Don't worry if you're not a baking pro - this recipe is super easy for anyone to make. You can also switch things up to match what you like, so it'll be a crowd-pleaser no matter where you serve it.

What You'll Need For Lemon Lush

  • Golden Oreo Cookies: They make up the yummy, crumbly bottom layer of your dessert.
  • Butter: When melted, it helps your cookie crumbs stick together for a solid base.
  • Cream Cheese: Makes the second layer rich and slightly tangy when softened.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice and Zest: Bring bright, citrusy punch that works perfectly with the creamy elements.
  • Lemon Pudding Mix: Creates a smooth and flavorful middle section with minimal effort.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds fluffiness to both the cheese layer and the top layer.
  • Powdered Sugar: Gives the whipped topping just the right amount of sweetness.
  • Optional Fresh Strawberries: Can dress up your dessert with a pop of color and fruity sweetness.

Building Your Cookie Base

Form The Bottom Layer
Smash Golden Oreos into tiny pieces using your food processor or a rolling pin with a bag. Stir in the melted butter until everything looks damp and clumps when pressed. Push this mix firmly into your 9x13-inch glass dish, making sure it's flat and even. Pop it in the fridge to get firm while you work on the other parts.

Whipping Up The Tangy Middle

Mix The Creamy Filling
Grab your hand mixer and whip together the soft cream cheese, regular sugar, squeezed lemon juice, grated lemon peel, and a teaspoon of lemon extract until it's smooth and light. Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and keep beating until it thickens up nicely. Gently spread this mixture on top of your cold crust. Cover with plastic and let it firm up in the fridge.
A piece of layered citrus dessert garnished with lemon slices on a white plate, with strawberries visible in the background. Pin it
A piece of layered citrus dessert garnished with lemon slices on a white plate, with strawberries visible in the background. | cookingflavor.com

Finishing Your Luscious Layers

Mix Up The Citrus Center
Combine cold milk and the instant lemon pudding mix, whisking until it's completely smooth. Carefully spread this over your cream cheese layer and return to the refrigerator.
Create The Fluffy Finish
In a bowl, beat the rest of your heavy cream with powdered sugar, lemon extract, and vanilla extract until it forms stiff peaks. Spread this fluffy topping over the pudding. Let everything chill for at least 4 hours so all the layers can set properly.

Keeping And Enjoying Your Citrus Treat

You can keep your lemon dessert in the fridge for about 4 days if you wrap it tightly with plastic. Want to save it longer? Wrap the whole thing in plastic and foil and freeze it for up to a month. Just thaw it in your fridge before you want to eat it. When you're ready to serve, add some fresh strawberries, blueberries, or lemon slices on top for extra wow factor. The cool, bright flavor and pretty layers will make this the star of any table!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make it a day early?

Of course! It actually tastes better the next day. Make it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate so the layers set and flavors meld.

→ Are regular Oreos okay to use?

Golden Oreos add a nice vanilla touch, but regular Oreos can work too. You’ll get a chocolate note instead of vanilla in the base.

→ How long will it last in the fridge?

It keeps well for 4-5 days if stored covered. The crust might soften a bit but it’ll still taste amazing!

→ Can this dessert be frozen?

You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and it’ll be ready to serve.

→ What toppings work besides strawberries?

You can use raspberries or blueberries, or skip the fruit and add some lemon zest for that zippy touch!

Lemon Lush Layers

This dessert has four tasty layers: Golden Oreo crust, sweet lemon cream, lemon pudding, and whipped cream. Add fresh strawberries for a pop of color.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
240 Minutes
Total Time
270 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 15 Servings (15 squares)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 36 Golden Oreo cookies, finely crushed.
02 Melted butter, 6 tablespoons.
03 Cream cheese, softened, 8 oz.
04 Granulated sugar, 1/4 cup.
05 Lemon juice, 2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed).
06 Grated zest from 1 lemon.
07 Lemon extract, split into 2 teaspoons.
08 Heavy cream, divided, 2 cups.
09 Powdered sugar, 1/3 cup.
10 Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon.
11 Lemon-flavored instant pudding mix, two packages (3.4 oz each, total 6.8 oz).
12 Cold milk, 3 cups.
13 Optional: Fresh strawberries for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Use a food processor or crush the cookies by hand until they’re crumbs. Add melted butter, mix thoroughly, and spread evenly into a 9x13 dish. Pop it into the fridge to firm up.

Step 02

Beat the softened cream cheese with sugar, a splash of lemon juice, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, and 1/2 cup of heavy cream until smooth and airy (about 2–3 minutes). Smooth this over the chilled crust. Cover and let it chill in the fridge again.

Step 03

Whisk together the pudding mix with the cold milk for around 2 minutes. Pour this over the cream cheese mixture before it sets too much. Spread evenly, then chill again.

Step 04

Whip the remaining 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream with vanilla, powdered sugar, and the rest of the lemon extract until you’ve got peaks that stay in place. Spread that on top and refrigerate for a good 4 hours or more.

Step 05

Slice into squares and, if you like, pop a fresh strawberry on each piece before serving.

Notes

  1. Keep refrigerated for at least 4 hours before digging in.
  2. Fresh strawberries make a great garnish.

Tools You'll Need

  • A 9x13 dish, preferably glass.
  • Rolling pin or a food processor.
  • Electric hand mixer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Contains wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 440
  • Total Fat: 29 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 43 g
  • Protein: 5 g