Description
Christmas Lush is a festive, layered dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. It features a buttery crust, a tangy lime gelatin cream cheese layer, a creamy second layer, and a fresh strawberry gelatin topping, all chilled to perfection and garnished with whipped topping and festive sprinkles or candy.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup 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 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
- Green food coloring (optional)
Second Layer
- 1 (8 oz) 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
- Prepare Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, chopped nuts, and softened butter until well mixed. Press the mixture evenly into the baking dish and bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- 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. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the cooled gelatin into the cream cheese, beating slowly until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and optionally add green food coloring for a vibrant color. Spread over the cooled crust and chill for 40 minutes until set.
- Prepare Second Layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth in a large bowl. Fold in whipped topping gently. Spread this mixture evenly over the lime gelatin layer. Refrigerate for 40 minutes until firm.
- Make Top Layer: Dissolve strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water by stirring for 2 minutes. Add sliced strawberries and refrigerate until partially set, about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to achieve a spoonable consistency. Carefully spoon the strawberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours until completely firm.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with additional whipped topping and festive sprinkles or candy as desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Ensure each gelatin layer is fully or partially set before adding the next to prevent mixing.
- Use fresh strawberries for the best texture and flavor in the top layer.
- For a vibrant green first layer, add green food coloring to the lime gelatin mixture.
- Chilling times are important for the dessert to firm up properly; do not rush the refrigeration process.
- You can substitute pecans or walnuts with other nuts or omit them for a nut-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
