Description

Lemon Lush Cake is a delightful no-fuss dessert featuring a buttery baked crust layered with creamy sweetened cream cheese, zesty lemon pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. This cool, refreshing cake is perfect for spring and summer gatherings with its bright citrus flavor and light texture.

Ingredients

Crust

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Cream Cheese Layer

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

Lemon Pudding Layer

2 (3.4 oz) packages instant lemon pudding mix
3 cups cold milk

Topping and Garnish

1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for garnish)
Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the crust.
Prepare and bake crust: In a bowl, mix the flour, softened butter, and powdered sugar until combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely.
Make cream cheese layer: Beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 1 cup of whipped topping (like Cool Whip) until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
Prepare lemon pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant lemon pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened and smooth. Carefully spread the lemon pudding over the cream cheese layer.
Add final topping: Spread the remaining 1 cup of whipped topping over the lemon pudding layer for a light, fluffy finish.
Chill to set: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 2 hours to allow all layers to set properly and flavors to meld.
Garnish and serve: If desired, garnish with lemon zest and lemon slices. Slice into 12 pieces and serve chilled for a refreshing dessert.

Notes

Ensure the crust is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting.
Use cold milk when preparing the pudding mix to ensure proper thickening.
For a tangier flavor, additional lemon zest can be mixed into the cream cheese layer.
This cake is best served chilled and consumed within 3 days for optimum freshness.
Whipped topping can be substituted with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.