If you’re looking for a luscious dessert then you’ve come to the right place. Strawberry Vanilla Lush is sweet, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite. Perfect for a summer afternoon, or any time of the year really, this layered dessert is best served chilled with family or friends around.

Growing up, my mom used to make pistachio lush. And it was amazing every time. Until like a month ago, I had no idea what it was called. I would call it “that pistachio layered thing.” Turns out it’s called “lush.” Coming up with my own spin on it, I switched out the pistachios for strawberries and vanilla pudding instead. Keep scrolling for my strawberry vanilla lush recipe.

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Strawberry Vanilla Lush Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
A stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup chopped walnuts
8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tubs frozen whipped topping (8 oz tubs)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup diced strawberries
2 packages of vanilla pudding (3.4 oz packages)
4 cups milk
1/2 cup toasted almonds

Strawberry Vanilla Lush Directions

Step 1) Make the crust layer

Begin making your strawberry vanilla lush by cutting up the butter into small pieces and putting into a medium-sized mixing bowl with the flour.

Using two knives, cut the butter into the flour until there are only small pea-sized chunks as shown below.

Then, add in your chopped walnuts. Press this mixture down into a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Cook at 350ºF for 20 minutes. After baking, place the baking dish on a cooling rack and cool completely.

Step 2) Add the cheesecake layer

Beat cream cheese, 1 cup of the whipped topping, and powdered sugar on medium speed until smooth.

Mix in diced strawberries. (If desired, beat it for a bit with your hand mixer to better integrate the strawberries.)

Spread cheesecake mixture on top of the crust layer.

Step 3) Add the pudding layer

In a bowl, prepare pudding mixes according to package directions. (Likely, it says to beat each pudding mix with 2 cups cold milk with a whisk for 2 minutes.) Spread pudding mix onto the cheesecake layer and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 4) Add the whipped cream layer

Spread remaining whipped topping on top of the pudding layer.

Top your strawberry vanilla lush with toasted almonds and additional strawberries (optional).

Refrigerate your strawberry vanilla lush for at least 3 hours before serving if possible. I’ve found that letting it hang out overnight in the fridge makes it even better and lets the layers hold their shape more when slicing. Serve your strawberry vanilla lush chilled and keep any leftovers in the fridge with plastic wrap over your pan. Enjoy!