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Christmas Lush

A festive, layered dessert featuring a buttery nut crust, a tangy lime-cream middle, a strawberry-jello fruit layer, and a light whipped topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 5 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Holiday
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Substitute with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar This is for the crust.
  • ¼ cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) Omit for nut-free option and add extra flour.
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
Lime-Cream Layer Ingredients
  • 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin
  • 1 cup boiling water For dissolving lime gelatin.
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened Use full-fat for best texture.
  • 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed Cool Whip or a similar brand.
  • Green food coloring (optional) A few drops for festive green.
Strawberry Layer Ingredients
  • 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin
  • 2 cups boiling water For dissolving strawberry gelatin.
  • 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries Frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained.
Top Layer Ingredients
  • ½ cup granulated sugar For top cream-cheese layer.
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
  • Additional whipped topping For finishing.
  • Sprinkles or candy for topping

Method
 

Preparation of Crust
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and finely chopped nuts.
  3. Add softened butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until the crumbs hold together when pressed.
  4. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and cool completely.
First Layer (Lime-Cream)
  1. Stir lime gelatin into boiling water until fully dissolved. Add green food coloring if desired.
  2. In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping until silky.
  3. Slowly mix in the dissolved lime gelatin until combined.
  4. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly. Chill briefly while preparing the next layer.
Second Layer (Strawberry)
  1. Dissolve strawberry gelatin in boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
  2. Add sliced fresh strawberries and let the mixture cool until slightly thickened but pourable (about 10-15 minutes).
  3. Carefully pour the strawberry-gelatin mixture over the lime-cream layer. Return the dish to the fridge.
Top Layer (Cream-Cheese Topping)
  1. Beat the second package of cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth.
  2. Fold in remaining whipped topping until light and even.
  3. Once the strawberry layer is slightly set, spread this cream-cheese mixture over it. Smooth the top.
Finishing Touches
  1. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until fully set.
  2. Before serving, top with additional whipped topping and festive decorations. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water.

Notes

Best enjoyed chilled and served with festive toppings. Slice carefully for presentation. Adjust sweetness as desired by modifying the amount of sugar used.