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Lemon Lush (Lemon Oreo Dessert)

If you love the light, bright flavor of lemon in a rich trifle-like dessert you’re going to adore this lovely Lemon Oreo Lush. It’s simple to make and loaded with your favorite cookies—Oreos!

Layered Desserts are the Best! 

I first found this Lemon Lush recipe on Collard Valley Cooks, but tweaked it a bit (as I often do with recipes).

Some might call this Lemon Lasagna, thanks to the layers. Others might insist that it's Lemon Oreo Dessert. No matter what you call it, you're going to love it, especially the simplicity!

If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I love to make trifles. My favorite, of course, if my Mint Oreo Trifle. And a close second, my Cookie Butter trifle. 

Today’s recipe is trifle-like, in that it’s a layered dessert. And like ore trifles, it’s a simple dessert. 

That said, you don’t need a trifle dish for this one, folks. A simple 9 x 13-inch baking dish will do. 

Best of all, this dessert starts with a simple but taste cookie: Lemon Oreos. 

Lemon Oreos? Is that a Thing? 

Maybe you’ve eaten traditional chocolate Oreos. Maybe you’ve even tries other Oreo flavors, like Golden Oreos. (Yum.) 

I was surprised to learn that many of my friends and family members have never heard of one of my all-time favorites—Lemon Oreos. 

This delicious cookie is the base of today’s recipe and I think you’re going to love it! 

Lemon Oreo Lush Ingredients

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. For now, here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to make this delicious dessert. These are simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry or refrigerator. 

Crust Ingredients

  • Lemon Oreos (withold five for decorating)
  • room temperature butter

Filling Ingredients

  • room temperature cream cheese
  • powdered sugar
  • Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream)
  • zest and juice of one lemon

Top Layer Ingredients

  • instant lemon pudding mix
  • cold milk (whole)
  • juice and zest of one lemon

Decorating Ingredients

  • Cool Whip
  • Lemon Oreos

How to Make This Easy No-Bake Dessert

Step One: Make the Crust

Place all of the Oreos but five into a large ziplock bag and pound with a rolling pin until they are completely crushed. 

If you prefer, you can process them in a food processor instead. (Check out those Oreo crumbs, y'all!)

Merge with ⅓ cup room temperature butter (or melted butter, your choice).

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Pulse until fully incorporated and cookies have formed a paste. 

Press cookie mixture into the bottom of a buttered 9x13-inch pan and place in refrigerator. 

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Check out that delicious lemon cookie crust, y'all!

Step Two: Make the Filling

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy. 

Add 1 cup powdered sugar and the juice and zest of one lemon. Beat  until creamy. 

Fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip whipped topping. 

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Spoon cream cheese mixture over crust, making it as level as possible. 

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Step Three: 

Place 2 boxes of pudding and 3 cups of milk into a medium bowl. Add the zest and juice of one lemon. Whisk well and place in refrigerator to set up.

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Once firm, spoon lemon pudding layer on top of the sweet cream cheese layer and smooth out. 

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Check out those layers, y'all!

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Step Four: 

Decorate! Place the remaining whipped cream into a piping bag with a pretty tip. I used a Wilton 1M tip for mine. 

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

You can really decorate any way you like but I went around the edges and did some decorative dollops, as well. Next time I might completely cover the pudding layer with whipped cream, just for fun.

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Place remaining Lemon Oreos into dollops of whipped cream for added flair. 

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

If you like, you can add more lemon zest to the top.  

Chill until set and then cut into slices and serve cold. 

Cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator. Dessert will stay good for 3 - 4 days. 

I do not recommend freezing this easy no bake treat.

What to Expect from this Delicious Dessert

Lemon Lush Recipe from Out of the Box Baking.com

Lemon lovers. . .unite! Talk about the perfect dessert!

That rich crust, the creamy center, the tart top layer. . .it's all delicious!

My family enjoyed this fantastic lemon dessert and I definitely plan to make it again!

Variations on this Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe

This was a delicious recipe but I’m already thinking of ways to mix things up. Here are a few things I might enjoy: 

Coconut Pudding: Lemon and coconut go well together. Next time I might swap out the lemon pudding with coconut pudding. I would still use lemon zest and juice in the cream cheese layer and I would also still use lemon Oreos. Decorating with toasted coconut would make perfect sense! 

Lemon Pie Filling: If you don't want to make pudding you can add a can of lemon pie filling in place of the lemon pudding.

Blueberries: Lemon and blueberries are perfect together! Next time I make this I might add blueberries to the  top of the cream cheese layer and decorate with more blueberries on top. 

Sliced strawberries: Add layers of fresh berries to this dessert for a fresh, fruity take on things. Yum! 

Shortbread Crust: The original Lemon Lush recipe calls for a shortbread crust with pecans. I think that sounds delicious! I decided to skip the shortbread crust when I made this dessert because I had Lemon Oreos on hand and also because I planned to take my dessert to a family event where one of our members has a nut allergy. 

Graham Cracker Crust: If you want an easy-breezy recipe, swap out the lemon cookies with graham cracker crumbs.

Pecans on top: If you like pecans, I would highly recommend you sprinkle the top with chopped pecans.

Lemon slices to decorate: If you prefer, you can twist slices of lemon to decorate the top layer.

Chocolate lasagne: Use regular (chocolate/white) Oreos, cream cheese filling (minus the lemon juice and zest) and add chocolate pudding in place of lemon. Voila! Chocolate lasagna!

Other Lemon Desserts from Out of the Box Baking

Lemon Pound Cake Cookies: They’re light, they’re fluffy, and they’re packed full of lemony goodness. These little Lemon Pound Cake Cookies are delicious and incredibly easy to make! 

Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake: The outside edges of this cake are crunch and crisp. Perfection! The sour cream adds a twangy taste. Merged with the lemon juice, zest, and extract? It’s just right! I love that lemon flavor! And those juicy blueberries? They’re popping with flavor and moisture. Talk about the perfect balance of texture and taste!

Luscious Lemon Bars: They’re tart, sweet, crisp and creamy. These luscious lemon bars are all of the above. . .and then some!

Strawberry Lemonde Cake: This Strawberry Lemonade cake is visually stunning and (truly) one of the best cakes you’ll ever put in your mouth.


That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this fun dessert lasagna. 

See this recipe at

Full Plate Thursday 

Weekend Potluck

Busy Monday


About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.

Lemon Lush (Lemon Oreo Dessert)

Lemon Lush (Lemon Oreo Dessert)

Yield: 15
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

If you love the light, bright flavor of lemon in a rich trifle-like dessert you’re going to adore this lovely Lemon Oreo Lush. It’s simple to make and loaded with your favorite cookies—Oreos!

Ingredients

  • Crust Ingredients
  • 1 package Lemon Oreos (withold five for decorating)
  • ½ cup temperature butter
  • Filling Ingredients
  • 8 ounces room temperature cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream)
  • The zest and juice of one lemon
  • Top Layer Ingredients
  • 2 3.5 OZ boxes instant lemon pudding mix
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • Juice and zest of one lemon
  • Decorating Ingredients
  • 1 cup Cool Whip
  • 5 Lemon Oreos

Instructions

    How to Make This Easy No-Bake Dessert
    Step One: Make the Crust
    Place all of the Oreos but five into a large ziplock bag and pound with a rolling pin until they are completely crushed.

    If you prefer, you can process them in a food processor instead.

    Merge with ⅓ cup room temperature butter.

    Pulse until fully incorporated and cookies have formed a paste.

    Press cookie crust into the bottom of a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish and place in refrigerator.

    Step Two: Make the Filling
    In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

    Add 1 cup powdered sugar and the juice and zest of one lemon. Beat until creamy.

    Fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip.

    Spoon cream cheese filling over crust, making it as level as possible.

    Step Three:
    Place 2 boxes of pudding and 3 cups of milk into a medium bowl. Add the zest and juice of one lemon. Whisk well and place in refrigerator to set up. Once firm, spoon on top of the cream cheese layer and smooth out.

    Step Four:
    Decorate! Place the remaining whipped cream into a piping bag with a pretty tip. I used a Wilton 1M tip for mine.

    You can really decorate any way you like but I went around the edges and did some decorative dollops, as well.

    Place remaining Lemon Oreos into dollops of whipped cream for added flair.

    If you like, you can add more lemon zest to the top.

    Chill until set and then cut into slices and serve cold.

    Cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator. Dessert will stay good for 3 - 4 days.

    I do not recommend freezing this dessert.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 165mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 4g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

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