This no bake Christmas Cookie Lush combines the best of holiday desserts into one irresistible dish. The creamy layers of cheesecake and pudding are complemented by a buttery vanilla cookie crust, all adorned with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings, this dessert is easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress.
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This Christmas Lush is a perfect holiday dessert, combining layers of vanilla cream cookies, cheesecake, and pudding into a festive treat. It's no-bake, making it an easy and quick option for holiday entertaining, and its colorful presentation is sure to impress your guests.
For more festive holiday treats, be sure to check out all of our favorite Christmas dessert recipes. Like our Gingersnap Cookies, which offer a spicy and sweet crunch that pairs perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa.
Our Rum Balls are a classic treat with a boozy twist that will delight adults at your holiday gatherings.
And don't miss our Eggnog Cupcakes, which combine the rich, creamy flavor of eggnog with a light and fluffy cupcake, topped with a festive sprinkle of nutmeg.
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What You'll Love About This Recipe
- No-Bake Convenience: Perfect for when your oven is occupied with other holiday dishes.
- Festive Presentation: The colorful sprinkles and layers make it a showstopper on any dessert table.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and common ingredients make this dessert easy for anyone to make.
- Delicious Layers: The combination of creamy, crunchy, and sweet layers ensures every bite is delightful.
Ingredients
Vanilla Oreo Cookies: Opt for high-quality vanilla sandwich cookies for the best flavor. These form the base and topping of the dessert.
Butter: Melted to mix with cookie crumbs, providing a rich, buttery base.
Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer texture and flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream cheese layer without grittiness.
Holiday Sprinkles: Choose vibrant, festive sprinkles to enhance the holiday theme.
Whipped Topping: Provides a light, airy layer. Use a tub variety for convenience.
Cheesecake Instant Pudding Mix: Adds a creamy, cheesecake flavor to the pudding layer.
Cold Milk: Essential for preparing the pudding mix. Use whole milk for a richer taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the Pan: If you want easier slicing later, consider lining a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper. This step isn't essential but can be helpful.
Crush the Cookies: Using a food processor, pulse 36 cookies until they turn into fine crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Mix with Butter: Transfer the cookie crumbs to a large bowl. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. This will help the crust hold together.
Add Sprinkles: Mix in ½ tablespoon of holiday sprinkles to add a festive touch to the crust.
Form the Crust: Evenly press the cookie mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed measuring cup to press it down firmly and create a solid base.
Cream Cheese Layer: In another large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps.
Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in one container of whipped topping until well blended. This keeps the mixture light and airy.
Add Sprinkles: Stir in ½ tablespoon of holiday sprinkles gently, distributing them evenly throughout the cream cheese mixture.
Layer the Cheesecake: Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the cookie crust, smoothing it out with a spatula to ensure an even layer.
Prepare Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to firm up slightly.
Add Sprinkles: Gently stir in ½ tablespoon of holiday sprinkles to add a pop of color to the pudding layer.
Pudding Layer: Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer, making sure to cover it completely.
Final Whipped Topping: Spread the remaining container of whipped topping over the pudding layer, creating a smooth and even top layer.
Cookie Topping: Crush the remaining 12 cookies and sprinkle them generously over the top of the dessert for added crunch.
Final Touch: Scatter the remaining holiday sprinkles over the top to give it a festive finish.
Chill: Place the baking dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or freeze it if you prefer a firmer texture. This allows the layers to set properly.
Serve: Once chilled, slice the dessert into squares and serve. If you froze the dessert, let it thaw for about an hour before slicing to make it easier to cut through. Enjoy your festive and delicious Christmas Cookie Lush!
Hint: For a smoother cream cheese mixture, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start. If it's too cold, it can be difficult to blend smoothly and may leave lumps in your mixture. You can speed up the softening process by cutting the cream cheese into smaller pieces and letting it sit out for about 30 minutes.
Substitutions
Cookies: Substitute vanilla Oreos with any vanilla-flavored sandwich cookie if desired.
Whipped Topping: Use homemade whipped cream as a fresher alternative.
Pudding Mix: Vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding can replace the cheesecake flavor if preferred.
Variations
Want to try some variations on this recipe? Here are some of our favorite ideas.
- Peppermint Lush: Add crushed peppermint candies or peppermint extract to the cream cheese layer for a minty twist.
- Chocolate Lush: Use chocolate sandwich cookies and chocolate pudding mix for a richer version.
- Fruit Topping: Add a layer of fresh berries or fruit preserves between the cream cheese and pudding layers for a fruity contrast.
Storage
Making your Christmas lush ahead of time? Or simply want to store any leftovers? Here's our tips:
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil to keep it fresh.
Freezer: For longer storage, cover the dessert tightly and freeze for up to a month. Freezing helps maintain neat slices. Thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Reheating: This dessert is best served cold, so no reheating is necessary. Simply thaw and enjoy!
Top tip
For clean and precise slices, freeze the dessert before cutting and thaw for about an hour before serving.
FAQ
Yes, Christmas Cookie Lush can be made a day in advance. In fact, it's best when it has time to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, allowing the layers to set properly.
Absolutely! While vanilla Oreos work great, you can substitute them with any vanilla-flavored sandwich cookies or even graham crackers for a different flavor profile.
If you prefer, you can use homemade whipped cream. Beat 2 cups of heavy cream with 2-3 tablespoons of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, and use this in place of the whipped topping.
Stored properly in an airtight container, Christmas Cookie Lush will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes, you can freeze it for up to a month. Freezing can make the slices prettier. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Certainly! Fresh berries or fruit preserves can be added as a layer between the cream cheese and pudding layers for an extra burst of flavor.
You can place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or a heavy-bottomed pan until they are fine crumbs.
Yes, you can substitute regular pudding mix with a sugar-free version if you prefer, though the texture and taste may vary slightly.
More Christmas Recipes
Looking for more Christmas recipes? Here's some good ones!
Recipe
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Christmas Cookie Lush
Ingredients
- 48 vanilla Oreo cookies divided
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 package cream cheese 8 ounces, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles divided
- 2 tubs whipped topping 8 ounces
- 1 box cheesecake instant pudding mix 3.4 ounces
- 2 cups cold milk
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper (optional).
- Crush 36 cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or a zip-top bag and rolling pin.
- Mix crumbs with melted butter and ½ tablespoon sprinkles. Press into the baking dish to form a crust.
- Beat cream cheese, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in one tub of whipped topping and ½ tablespoon sprinkles.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
- Whisk pudding mix with cold milk until thickened. Stir in ½ tablespoon sprinkles.
- Spread the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Top with remaining whipped topping.
- Crush the remaining 12 cookies and sprinkle over the top. Add remaining sprinkles.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or freeze for firmer slices.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
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