What ingredients do I need to make the crust for Cherry Cheesecake Lush?

The crust for Cherry Cheesecake Lush is made by combining vanilla wafer crumbs, finely chopped pecans, and melted butter. You can press this mixture into the bottom of your dish and either bake it briefly to set or leave it as a no-bake crust by chilling it in the refrigerator until firm. If you prefer, graham cracker crumbs or Golden Oreo crumbs can be used as substitutes for the vanilla wafers.

Can I use store-bought whipped topping, or should I make it from scratch?

You can use either store-bought whipped topping or prepare a simple homemade version. Store-bought whipped topping offers convenience and consistent texture, while homemade whipped cream made from heavy cream and sugar gives a fresher taste. Both options work well layered in this dessert, blending smoothly with the cream cheese and pudding layers.

How long should Cherry Cheesecake Lush be refrigerated before serving?

It’s best to refrigerate Cherry Cheesecake Lush for at least 4 hours, but chilling overnight yields the best results. This resting time allows the layers to set properly and the flavors to meld. After refrigeration, the dessert will have a creamy, firm texture that's easy to slice and serve.

Can I switch the cherry pie filling for other fruits in this dessert?

Yes, you can substitute cherry pie filling with other flavors like blueberry, raspberry, or apple pie filling. Using different fruit fillings allows you to customize the dessert’s flavor to your preference. Just use one standard-sized can of your chosen pie filling to top the dessert evenly.

What is the best way to store leftover Cherry Cheesecake Lush?

Store leftover Cherry Cheesecake Lush covered tightly in the refrigerator. Use plastic wrap or an airtight container to prevent the dessert from absorbing odors and to keep it fresh. Properly stored, leftovers will remain good for up to one week. For best texture and flavor, consume within this time frame.

Cherry Cheesecake Lush Recipe With Sweet Cherry Topping

Name: Cherry Cheesecake Lush
Prep time: 4 h 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 37 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs; 1 cup finely chopped pecans (with an additional 1/2 cup for topping); 1/2 cup melted butter; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 1/2 cups whipped topping; Two small boxes of cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix; 3 cups milk; 1 cup whipped topping (for the pudding layer); 1 can of cherry pie filling; Remaining whipped topping; Chopped pecans (from the additional 1/2 cup)

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

1 cup finely chopped pecans (with an additional 1/2 cup for topping)

1/2 cup melted butter

8 ounces softened cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups whipped topping

Two small boxes of cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix

3 cups milk

1 cup whipped topping (for the pudding layer)

1 can of cherry pie filling

Remaining whipped topping

Chopped pecans (from the additional 1/2 cup)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-First, prepare the crust by combining 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs, 1 cup finely chopped pecans, and 1/2 cup melted butter in a bowl. Press this mixture into your pan and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or chill it in the refrigerator for a no-bake option. Once done, let it cool completely before adding the layers.

2-Next, in a mixing bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar until creamy. Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping to keep the mixture light. In another bowl, mix two small boxes of cheesecake-flavored instant pudding with 3 cups milk, then stir in 1 cup whipped topping.

3-Layer the cream cheese mixture over the crust, followed by the pudding mixture. Top everything with 1 can of cherry pie filling, the remaining whipped topping, and the extra 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Finally, refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the flavors blend and the texture set.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🍒 For best results, make this dessert the day before serving to allow all layers to set properly and flavors to meld together
🥛 Room temperature cream cheese mixes more smoothly and prevents lumps in the cheesecake layer
🥹 The no-bake crust option is perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Contains dairy, tree nuts, gluten

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 342
Sugar: 28
Sodium: 280
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 12
Unsaturated Fat: 8
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 1
Protein: 4
Cholesterol: 45