Description
Christmas Lush is a festive and colorful layered dessert featuring a buttery crust, creamy lime and strawberry gelatin layers, topped with fresh strawberries and whipped topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to prepare in advance.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup nuts 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 8oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1 8oz container whipped topping, thawed
- Green food coloring optional
Second Layer
- 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 8oz 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. Spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts. Add ½ cup softened unsalted butter and mix well. Press the mixture evenly into the baking dish. Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Allow crust to cool completely.
- Make First Layer: In a large bowl, dissolve 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved. Refrigerate until partially set (about 1 hour). In another bowl, beat 1 package (8 oz) softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the cooled gelatin until well combined. Fold in 1 container (8 oz) thawed whipped topping. Optionally, add green food coloring for a vibrant layer. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, approximately 40 minutes.
- Make Second Layer: In a large bowl, beat 1 package (8 oz) softened cream cheese with ½ cup sugar until smooth. Fold in 1 container (8 oz) thawed whipped topping. Spread evenly over the lime gelatin layer. Refrigerate until set, about 40 minutes.
- Prepare Top Layer: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries. Refrigerate until partially set, about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to keep consistency thick enough to spoon without running through the layers.
- Assemble Dessert: Gently spoon the strawberry gelatin and strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 3 hours to 4 hours until firmly set.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with additional whipped topping and decorate with sprinkles or candy as desired. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Allow each gelatin layer to fully set to prevent mixing of layers.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and whipped topping for easier mixing.
- Chilling times are important for the dessert's layered structure.
- Substitute fresh strawberries with frozen if out of season, but thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
- Add green food coloring sparingly to achieve desired lime green color.
- For nut allergies, omit nuts in the crust or substitute with gluten-free crunchy cereal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
