Each year, as the first warm breezes of spring began to blow through our little town, my family would gather at Grandma Jean’s home. Her quaint kitchen, adorned with wooden spoons and hand-stitched aprons, was the setting for our annual cheesecake-making day. Grandma Jean was renowned in the neighborhood for her cheesecake, a tradition she passed down to us.
Last summer, when our lovely neighbor, Ms. Martha, heard about our family tradition, she introduced us to her twist on this classic dessert – the Cherry Cheesecake Lush. Rich, decadent, and bursting with cherry goodness, it quickly became a family favorite. Today, I’m delighted to share this delightful recipe with all of you.
How to Prepare Cherry Cheesecake Lush
Ingredients for Cherry Cheesecake Lush
- 1 cup crumbled vanilla cookies
- 1 cup finely diced pecans
- 1 cup melted butter
- 18 ounces of softened cream cheese
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 16-ounce tub of whipped cream, divided
- 2 packs of cheesecake-flavored pudding mix; accompanied by 3 cups milk
- 1 jar of premium cherry filling and topping
- ½ cup diced pecans for topping
Directions for Cherry Cheesecake Lush
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the vanilla cookie crumbs, diced pecans, and melted butter.
- Evenly press this mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Once done, set it aside to cool.
- In a new bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, icing sugar, and 1 1/2 cup of the whipped cream until it’s creamy. Spread this over the cooled crust.
- Blend the cheesecake pudding mix with milk and another 1 1/2 cup of whipped cream. Spread this mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Finalize your dessert by adding a layer of cherry filling on top, followed by the remaining whipped cream and a sprinkle of diced pecans.
FAQs about Cherry Cheesecake Lush
Can I use a different fruit filling?
Absolutely! While cherry gives a delightful tangy contrast, you can substitute it with blueberry, strawberry, or any fruit filling of your choice.
How should I store the Cherry Cheesecake Lush?
Store the cheesecake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing individual portions.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can opt for gluten-free cookies for the base and ensure that the pudding mix is gluten-free as well.
What if I don’t have cheesecake-flavored pudding mix?
If you can’t find cheesecake-flavored pudding mix, vanilla pudding mix is a good alternative. It won’t have the same cheesecake flavor but will still be delicious!
Is it possible to make this dessert a day ahead?
Definitely! Making it a day in advance allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in an even more delectable dessert the next day.
Can I replace the whipped cream with a low-fat version?
Yes, you can use a low-fat or dairy-free whipped topping if preferred. However, it may slightly alter the creaminess and flavor of the dessert.
Cherry Cheesecake Lush
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1 cup butter melted
- 18- ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 116- ounce container whipped topping divided
- 23- ounce packages cheesecake flavored pudding; 3 C milk
- 1 can LUCKY LEAF® Premium Cherry Fruit Filling & Topping
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In medium mixing bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs, finely chopped pecans, and melted butter.
- Press into a 9 X 13 baking pan; bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
- You May Like Cream Cheese Hershey Bar Cookies
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 1/2 cup whipped topping.
- Mix until smooth; spread evenly over cooled crust.
- Combine cheesecake pudding mix, milk, and 1 1/2 cup whipped topping and mix until smooth.
- Spread evenly over cream cheese layer in pan.
- Top with 1 can Lucky Leaf Cherry Fruit Filling, remaining whipped topping, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
