Cherry Cheesecake Lush

Cherry Cheesecake Lush is a dessert that effortlessly combines the rich, creamy flavor of cheesecake with the sweet and tart burst of cherry pie filling, all atop a crunchy cookie crust. This no-bake dessert is perfect for warm days when you want something delicious without turning on the oven. I first encountered this delightful dish at a family gathering, where my aunt served it as a surprise dessert. The layers of flavor and texture were a hit with everyone, and it quickly became a requested treat for all our get-togethers. This dessert is not only delicious but also visually stunning, making it a centerpiece at any event.

INGREDIENTS:

1-14 ounce package of golden Oreos, crushed in a processor

⅓ cup salted butter, melted

1 tbsp butter for preparing the pan

8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

¾ cup white sugar

16 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed (divided use)

2 small boxes of cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix

3 cups whole milk

2 large cans of cherry pie filling

1 cup chopped pecans or chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS:

Preparing the Crust

Prepare the Baking Dish:

Butter the inside of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will ensure that the dessert doesn’t stick to the pan and makes serving easier.

Crush the Cookies:

In a food processor, crush the golden Oreos until they form small crumbs. This will be the base layer of your lush dessert.

Combine Crumbs and Butter:

Add the melted butter to the cookie crumbs in the food processor and pulse until well combined. The mixture should have the consistency of wet sand.

Form the Crust:

Press the cookie mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass to press down firmly, ensuring the crust is even and compact.

Place the crust in the freezer for 10 minutes to set while you prepare the filling.

Making the Cream Cheese Layer

Mix Cream Cheese Filling:

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, ¾ cup of white sugar, and 1 cup of the thawed whipped topping. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Spread Over Crust:

Remove the crust from the freezer. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cookie crust. Smooth it out with a spatula to ensure an even layer.

Place the dish back in the freezer for another 10 minutes to firm up the cream cheese layer.

Preparing the Pudding Layer

Mix Pudding:

In another bowl, combine the 2 packages of cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix with 3 cups of whole milk and ½ cup of the thawed whipped topping. Using a whisk, mix until the pudding begins to thicken. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Layer the Pudding:

Spread the pudding mixture over the chilled cream cheese layer, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula.

Chill the entire dish in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the pudding is set.

Adding the Cherry Pie Filling

Add Cherry Filling:

After the pudding has set, carefully pour the cherry pie filling over the pudding layer. Be gentle to avoid mixing the layers. Use a spoon to spread the filling evenly across the top.

Finishing the Dessert

Top with Whipped Topping:

Spread the remaining thawed whipped topping over the cherry pie filling, creating a smooth and even top layer …