Christmas Lush
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I still remember the first time I served Christmas Lush at a holiday potluck — the green-and-red layers got everyone smiling before a single fork hit the plate. This festive, no-fuss layered dessert combines a buttery nut crust, a lime-cream middle, a strawberry-jello fruit layer, and a light whipped-cream topping. It’s perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or any time you want a show-stopping, refrigerator dessert that’s pretty, nostalgic, and simple to pull together. If you like easy make-ahead sweets that feed a crowd, this one’s for you. (If you’re also into easy holiday sweets, check this 4-ingredient Christmas cake recipe.)
Why you’ll love this dish
This dessert checks a lot of boxes: low-effort, high-appeal, and super kid-friendly. The contrast of textures — a slightly crunchy, buttery crust; creamy, tangy middle; silky strawberry layer; and pillowy topping — keeps every bite interesting. It’s also scalable: double it for a crowd or halve it for a small gathering. Because most of the work is done in stages and then it chills, it’s ideal for party prep and potlucks.
“A holiday staple — light, bright, and everyone asks for the recipe.” — Megan R., potluck MVP
Why make this at home? You control the sweetness, choose fresh berries, and can add playful decorations (sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or mini ornaments) to match any theme.
Step-by-step overview
Before you get out the bowls, here’s the quick process so you know what to expect:
- Make and bake a simple flour-nut crust until lightly golden. Let it cool.
- Whisk lime gelatin with boiling water and fold into a cream-cheese + whipped topping mixture. Spread over cooled crust.
- Dissolve strawberry gelatin in boiling water, stir in fresh sliced strawberries, and let it cool slightly before pouring over the lime-cream layer.
- Beat a second cream cheese layer with sugar and whipped topping, then spread over the almost-set strawberry layer.
- Chill for at least 4 hours. Top with extra whipped topping and festive decorations before serving.
This overview helps you prep in stages and frees up oven and counter space as layers set.
What you’ll need
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for crust)
- ¼ cup nuts (pecans or walnuts), finely chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup boiling water (for lime gelatin)
- 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened (use full-fat for best texture)
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip or similar)
- Green food coloring (optional, a few drops for festive green)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for top cream-cheese layer)
- 2 cups boiling water (for strawberry gelatin)
- 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- Additional whipped topping (for finishing)
- Sprinkles or candy for topping
Substitutions and notes:
- Nuts: Omit for nut-free crowds and add an extra 1–2 tablespoons flour or graham crumbs to maintain texture.
- Whipped topping: For a fresher flavor, substitute stabilized whipped cream (whip heavy cream with 2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla, stabilize with a bit of gelatin if needed).
- Gelatin: Use sugar-free gelatin to reduce sugar; note it may affect sweetness and texture.
- Berries: Frozen strawberries can work if well-thawed and drained, but fresh keeps the best texture and color.
(If you’re exploring similar layered desserts, you might also like this Banana Pudding Lush recipe.)
Step-by-step instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and ¼ cup finely chopped nuts.
- Add ½ cup softened butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until the crumbs hold together when pressed.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and cool completely.
First layer (lime-cream)
- Stir 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin into 1 cup boiling water until fully dissolved. Add a few drops of green food coloring if you want a festive hue.
- In another bowl, beat 1 (8 oz) package softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of the whipped topping until silky.
- Slowly mix in the dissolved lime gelatin until combined.
- Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly. Chill briefly while you prepare the next layer (don’t let it fully set).
Second layer (strawberry)
- Dissolve two boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Add 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries. Stir to combine and let the mixture cool until slightly thickened but pourable (about 10–15 minutes at room temp).
- Carefully pour the strawberry-gelatin mixture over the lime-cream layer. Return the dish to the fridge to begin setting.
Top layer (cream-cheese topping)
- Beat the second (8 oz) package cream cheese with ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth.
- Fold in the remaining whipped topping until light and even.
- When the strawberry layer is slightly set (not fully firm), spread this cream-cheese mixture over the strawberries. Smooth the top.
Finish and chill
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until fully set.
- Before serving, top with additional whipped topping and festive sprinkles or candy. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean pieces.
Pro tip: Work quickly when pouring the strawberry layer so the lime layer doesn’t start to set unevenly. If the strawberry gelatin cools too much and begins to firm, warm gently to loosen before pouring.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Serve chilled in square slices. A wide spatula helps lift clean portions.
- Plate with a small spoonful of extra whipped topping and a strawberry on the side for a pretty presentation.
- Pair with a strong coffee or a light dessert wine — the dessert’s sweetness balances bold drinks.
- For a kid-friendly holiday table, top with colorful sprinkles or mini candy canes for a peppermint twist.
Want other holiday cookie ideas to serve alongside? Check out these best soft Christmas cookies for a full dessert spread.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate: Keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. The jelly layer will hold its texture, but the crust softens slightly over time.
- Freezing: Freezing isn’t ideal because gelatin and whipped toppings change texture when thawed. If you must freeze, cut into single portions, freeze on a tray, then wrap individually and store up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Expect a slight texture change.
- Food safety: Because this dessert contains fresh berries and dairy, keep it refrigerated and discard after 4 days to avoid spoilage. Always use pasteurized cream cheese and whipped toppings per label instructions.
Helpful cooking tips
- Soften cream cheese fully for a lump-free middle and top layer. Microwave briefly (5–8 seconds) if needed, but don’t warm it.
- Use a serrated knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry to slice clean squares.
- If you skip nuts because of allergies, press the crust firmly and refrigerate 10–15 minutes before baking to reduce crumbling.
- Let the strawberry gelatin cool until it’s syrupy but not set — pouring when too hot can melt the lime-cream layer, and pouring when too cool can cause uneven separation.
- For a smoother strawberry layer, briefly pulse berries in a food processor, but keep some pieces for texture.
Creative twists
- Tropical Lush: Swap strawberry gelatin and berries for pineapple gelatin and diced canned pineapple (drain well). Add toasted coconut to the crust.
- Red Velvet Holiday: Use raspberry gelatin and red food coloring. Add crushed red velvet cookies to the crust.
- Alcohol-spiked: Stir 1–2 tablespoons of a compatible liqueur (e.g., triple sec with lime, or amaretto with strawberry) into the cooled gelatin mixtures for adult-only events.
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend or finely ground gluten-free cookies for the crust and press with melted butter.
- Mini versions: Make in individual parfait glasses or a muffin tin lined with foil for single-serve portions.
Your questions answered
Q: How long does it take to make?
A: Active prep is about 30–45 minutes. Chill time is at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Plan for about 5 hours total from start to finish.
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries?
A: Yes, but thaw and drain them well. Frozen berries tend to release extra liquid and can dilute the gelatin, making the layer looser.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Absolutely. Make it a day ahead and keep covered in the fridge. Add sprinkles and whipped topping just before serving for the freshest look.
Q: Is this recipe kid-safe?
A: Yes — no alcohol in the base recipe and uses common supermarket ingredients. Avoid sprinkles with choking hazards for toddlers and supervise serving.
Q: Can I reduce sugar?
A: You can use sugar-free gelatin and reduce the added sugar, but texture and flavor will be slightly different. Taste as you go when adjusting.
Conclusion
Ready to bring a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert to your holiday table? This layered Christmas Lush is an easy make-ahead showstopper that combines bright colors and comfort flavors. For a little extra holiday inspiration and gift ideas that match the season’s spirit, browse the Lush holiday selection at Holiday Gifts | LUSH. If you’re curious about how Lush stages its seasonal offerings, read more in this All the magic you could wash for this Christmas with the Lush 2024 … press piece. And to explore the immersive holiday experience they create, check out Enter the Lush Christmas Market | LUSH | LUSH.
Christmas Lush
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and finely chopped nuts.
- Add softened butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until the crumbs hold together when pressed.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and cool completely.
- Stir lime gelatin into boiling water until fully dissolved. Add green food coloring if desired.
- In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping until silky.
- Slowly mix in the dissolved lime gelatin until combined.
- Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly. Chill briefly while preparing the next layer.
- Dissolve strawberry gelatin in boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Add sliced fresh strawberries and let the mixture cool until slightly thickened but pourable (about 10-15 minutes).
- Carefully pour the strawberry-gelatin mixture over the lime-cream layer. Return the dish to the fridge.
- Beat the second package of cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth.
- Fold in remaining whipped topping until light and even.
- Once the strawberry layer is slightly set, spread this cream-cheese mixture over it. Smooth the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until fully set.
- Before serving, top with additional whipped topping and festive decorations. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water.
