Description
Christmas Lush is a festive, layered dessert featuring a buttery pecan crust, creamy lime and cream cheese layers, and a fresh strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this vibrant and colorful treat combines textures and flavors that delight the palate and impress guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup nuts pecans or walnuts, chopped finely
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
First Layer
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 small box 3 oz lime gelatin
- 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1 8oz container whipped topping, thawed
- Green food coloring optional
Second Layer
- 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 8 oz container whipped topping, thawed
Top Layer
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 small boxes 3 oz each strawberry gelatin
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Additional Toppings
- Additional whipped topping
- Sprinkles or candy
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine all crust ingredients (flour, sugar, chopped nuts, and softened butter) and mix well. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and let cool completely to ensure the next layers do not melt.
- Make First Layer: In a large bowl, dissolve lime gelatin in 1 cup boiling water by stirring for 2 minutes. Refrigerate until partially set, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, beat 8oz softened cream cheese until smooth. Slowly beat the cooled gelatin into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and well combined. Fold in the whipped topping gently. Add green food coloring if desired for a brighter layer. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crust and refrigerate for 40 minutes until set.
- Prepare Second Layer: In another large bowl, beat 8oz softened cream cheese with ½ cup sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping gently. Spread this evenly over the lime layer and refrigerate for 40 minutes until set.
- Prepare Top Layer: In a large bowl, dissolve two boxes (6 oz total) of strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water by stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries. Refrigerate this mixture until partially set, about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to achieve a thick but spoonable consistency.
- Assemble Top Layer: Gently spoon the strawberry gelatin and strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Return the entire dessert to the refrigerator and chill for 4 hours or until fully firm.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, top with additional whipped topping and decorate with sprinkles or candy as desired. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Ensure each gelatin layer is set properly before adding the next to maintain clean, defined layers.
- If you prefer a tart lime layer, omit adding green food coloring; it does not alter flavor.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture in the top layer.
- Chop nuts finely for even texture in the crust and to avoid grittiness.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead to enhance flavor and convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
