Candy Cane Lush

Indulge in this festive Candy Cane Lush no-bake dessert that’s always a hit for the holidays. It’s built on a base of buttery crushed vanilla cookies before being spread with a scrumptious cream cheese topping. Layer on a vanilla pudding mixture that’s dotted with crushed candy canes before finishing it all with a fluffy whipped topping. Garnish with more crushed candy canes for an irresistible finish!

This layered Candy Cane Lush recipe is easy to make with its no-bake, no-cook assembly that results in a Christmas sweet treat that’s built in just minutes. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert since it needs several hours to chill in the fridge so that all those luscious layers can be set before you cut and serve it.

I love that it uses basic pantry ingredients that you can even swap out for a little variation while still keeping the peppermint theme going. It’s the dessert that you’ll make for the holiday parties and potlucks that require little effort from you but that results in a swoon-worthy treat that will earn you rave reviews!

Ingredients Needed

Vanilla Oreo Cookies – crushed, to mix with the butter to form the no-bake base crust.
Butter – melted, to mix with the crushed cookies to form the base.
Cream Cheese – set it out to soften so that it mixes easily and without clumps.
Powdered Sugar – to mix with the cream cheese layer to make it sweet.
Peppermint Extract – to flavor the sweetened cream cheese layer.
Whipped Topping – to mix with the cream cheese layer and also used as the top layer of the dessert.
White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix – forms the third layer of the dessert.
Cold Milk – to help make the instant pudding.
Crushed Candy Canes – folded into the pudding mixture and used again to garnish the top of the dessert.

How To Make Candy Cane Lush

Note: this is a summary of the steps. For full instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

STEP 1: Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper to make slicing easier, although it’s not necessary, especially if you’re using a glass dish and want the layers to show through. Set aside.
STEP 2: Make the base by combining the crushed Oreo cookies with melted butter. Press the cookie crumb mixture into the bottom of the 9×13 glass baking dish.
STEP 3: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 1 container of whipped topping before gently spreading the cream cheese mixture over the cookie crumb crust.
STEP 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry pudding mixes with the milk until combined. Fold in the crushed candy canes before spreading the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer.
STEP 5: Top with the remaining container of whipped topping and garnish with more crushed candy canes.
STEP 6: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.

What Is A Dessert Lush?

A dessert lush, also known as a “delight” or “lasagna” is a layered sweet treat that’s usually a no-bake recipe that starts with a cookie, graham cracker, or brownie base and is built up from there. There’s usually cream cheese, whipped topping, pudding, and an extract or sweet ingredient incorporated to define the flavor.

How Long Do I Need To Chill The Candy Cane Lush?

So that all the layers can fully set before you slice and serve it, the Candy Cane Lush should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours. The longer the better! If possible, make it the night before so that it’s fully chilled when you’re ready to serve. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to slice it.

Variations

This Candy Cane Lush recipe is perfect for changing up to add a chocolate flavor to it. You can do it one or two ways, or do both. The chocolate is a perfect compliment to the peppermint, so it’s a win-win!

Cookie Base: swap out the vanilla Oreo sandwich cookies for the original chocolate Oreos. Additionally, if you can find the seasonal mint Oreos, those would be great, too.
Pudding: the recipe calls for instant vanilla pudding, but it’s easy to swap it out and use instant chocolate pudding instead.
Other flavors/add-ins: This recipe is perfect for swapping out the peppermint extract and crushed peppermint and using another extract and add-ins. You can always use vanilla extract for the cream cheese layer since it will go with everything, and then choose your add-ins for the pudding layer and the garnish on top. Ideas to consider are:

• Chocolate chips, regular or mini
• Chopped candy such as Snickers, peanut butter cups, toffee bits, M&M’s
• Chopped nuts: any kind
• Fresh fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pitted cherries, bananas

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, tightly covered. Store in the freezer, tightly covered, for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

More Easy-Layered Dessert Recipes

Peanut Butter Chocolate Lasagna
Oreo Cookie Delight
No Bake Banana Split Cake
Strawberry Icebox Cake
No Bake Italian Cake

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her viral website Moore or Less Cooking

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