Lush Desserts (Dream Bars)

Lush desserts are layered, no-bake treats, often featuring a cookie crust, creamy filling, and whipped topping, similar to an icebox cake. They are known for their rich, creamy texture and variety of flavors, with lemon being a popular choice. The term "lush" often refers to the luscious, creamy layers and decadent taste.

The dessert called "Lemon Lush" has its origins in Southern kitchens in the United States. It's a layered dessert featuring a buttery, pressed-in-the-pan crust, a cream cheese layer, a lemon pudding layer, and a whipped cream topping.

While many recipes today use readily available ingredients like boxed lemon pudding mix and frozen whipped topping, some bakers make it from scratch with fresh ingredients. The dessert is often described as a "no-bake" or "icebox" dessert because it doesn't require baking after the initial crust is prepared. I've also seen these called "dream bars."

How to Make a Lush Dessert

Lush desserts (dream bars) are highly customizable. You can adapt the pudding, crust, and toppings to create unique flavor combinations The one ingredient that is contant is the whipped cream.

Make the crust. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs (shortbread and other cookies are popular, too), melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9×9 or 9×13 inch pan depending on the recipe. This crust can either be baked or no-bake. For a baked crust, bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes, then refrigerate to let the crust cool completely. For a no-bake crust, skip the baking and just put it in the fridge for at least 1 hour until firm.

Make the cheesecake layer. In a separate mixing bowl, combine Cool Whip or whipped cream, room temperature cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Mix them together until smooth, then spread them evenly over your crust. You can add vanilla, or other flavored extract to the cream cheese mixture for extra flavor.

Make the pudding layer. Combine pudding mix and milk in a mixing bowl; whisk until smooth and let stand 5-10 minutes to thicken. Once it has cooled, spread it on top of the cream cheese layer. You can swap out the pudding for other flavors like chocolate or strawberry.

Cover and refrigerate. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and chill for 2 hours to let the layers firm up.

Serve. Before serving, top with remaining Cool Whip or whipped cream and sprinkle with chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, coconut, shaved chocolate, or fruit, etc. if desired.

Classic Flavors:

• Chocolate Lush: A classic chocolate pudding and whipped cream combination, often with a cookie or graham cracker crust.
• Lemon Lush: Bright and tangy, featuring a lemon pudding layer, cream cheese, and whipped topping.
• Butterscotch Lush: A decadent option with a butterscotch pudding layer, cream cheese, and whipped cream, sometimes topped with pecans or butterscotch chips.

Fruity & Other Variations:

• Strawberry Lush: Features a strawberry Jell-O or pudding layer, with a cookie crust, cheesecake layer, and whipped cream.
• Cherry Cheesecake Lush: A delightful combination of cherry pie filling, cheesecake, and a crust, sometimes made with Oreos.
• Pistachio Lush: A layered dessert with pistachio pudding, cream cheese, whipped topping, and a graham cracker crust.
• Coconut Cream Lush: A tropical-inspired dessert with coconut cream pudding, graham cracker crust, and whipped topping.
• Pineapple Lush: Features pineapple flavors and a no-bake preparation, often served chilled.

Some Other Flavors I Came Across

• Black Forest Dream Bars
• Irish Cream Dream Bars (365 days of baking)
• Banana Pudding Lush
• Pina Colada Lush
• Boston Cream Pie
• Banana Split (melissa southern style kitchen)