Strawberry Lemonade Lush
- Brianne Thomas
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
A buttery graham cracker crust is topped with a creamy lemon pudding and whipped cream mixture, then fresh strawberries, to create a luscious dessert that is completely made from scratch.
Summer is here, and that means it’s time to indulge in our favorite desserts that help to keep us cool. We’ve been diving into fresh frozen treats like my Peach Butter Popsicles and Watermelon & Lime Slushie, which have been a perfect treat after working in the garden or hanging out at the beach. However, as I mentioned before, my girls and I are fair-skinned beauties, and too much sun doesn’t do us good.
So, with a bit of time indoors, I went to work revamping an old favorite. The recipes I’ve used in the past always called for processed ingredients like pudding mixes and whipped cream. I knew I could make this luscious dessert even better by using completely made-from-scratch ingredients.
Now, I won’t lie and say there isn’t a bit of work involved if you’re making all of the from-scratch components at once. But if you’re like me, you likely make these items on a regular basis, making them readily available and easy to throw this delicious treat together in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Lemonade Lush Recipe
Quick and Easy. This dish requires just 5 minutes of hands-on time and a minimum of 30 minutes of chill time.
No Junk. Unlike similar recipes you’ve likely seen around the internet, this recipe uses real, homemade ingredients.
Versatile. Because all of the major components are homemade, you’re able to switch up the flavors to make this hundreds of different ways.
What Is A Lush Dessert?
A lush is a classic no-bake dessert that features a delicious combination of a crumbly crust, a creamy pudding layer, and a fluffy whipped cream topping. The crust can be made from graham crackers or cookies, or even a simple shortbread-like mixture pressed into the bottom of the dish. A pudding layer is often in the middle, while whipped cream tops it off.
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Helpful Tips For Making Strawberry Lemonade Lush
Cool the Crust Completely. To keep the crust from breaking apart when you add the cream cheese layer, ensure it is completely cooled.
Soften the Cream Cheese. This will help it fully integrate with the Cool Whip to create a luscious creamy mixture.
Non-Stick Spray. Spray the baking dish well before pressing in the crust mixture. This will help keep the crust from sticking to the dish.
Craving More Summertime Sweet Treat Recipes? Check out these fan favorites!
Ingredients
10 homemade graham crackers, finely crushed
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ cup Powdered Sugar
4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups Homemade Whipped Cream
2/3 cup Homemade Lemon Pudding
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
Homemade Whipped Cream
1 cup cold heavy cream
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
½ teaspoon Homemade Lemon Extract (or Pure Vanilla Extract)
For best results, use either a handheld or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, setting it to medium-high speed for approximately 3 to 4 minutes until medium peaks form. Place the bowl into the refrigerator until ready to use.
Directions
Place 10 homemade graham crackers into a sealable plastic bag. Using a rolling pin or meat mallet, gently pound the crackers until they resemble a fine mixture. Dump the crushed graham crackers into an 8x8 baking dish that has been prepped with non-stick spray.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 3 Tablespoons of butter.
Add the melted butter to the crushed graham crackers and mix well to combine. Gently press the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the baking dish to form a crust. Allow to cool 10-15 minutes before proceeding.
In a medium bowl, mix together the ½ cup powdered sugar, 4 ounces of cream cheese, and half of the 8-ounce container of whipped cream. Carefully spread the mixture over the cooled graham cracker crust.
Use the now-empty bowl to mix together the remaining Cool Whip and 2/3 cup Homemade Lemon Pudding. Carefully spread the mixture over the cream cheese mixture.
Top the mixture with 2 cups of fresh sliced strawberries.
Gently cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until completely chilled.
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