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Christmas Cookie Lush
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free cookies and pudding mix used)
Description
Christmas Cookie Lush is a festive, layered dessert combining creamy pudding, tangy cream cheese, fluffy whipped topping, and crunchy Christmas cookies such as peppermint, gingerbread, or sugar cookies. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it requires minimal prep and can be made ahead, offering a delicious mix of textures and customizable flavors for all dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layers
- 3 cups Christmas cookies (peppermint, gingerbread, or sugar cookies), coarsely crushed
Pudding Mixture
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping, thawed
Optional Toppings
- Festive sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Mini chocolate chips
- Toasted pecans or walnuts (for nutty crunch)
- Fresh cranberries or mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pudding Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. This creamy base ensures luscious and smooth layers.
- Whip the Cream Cheese Layer: Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar in a separate bowl until smooth and fluffy. Gently fold in the whipped topping to lighten the mixture, creating a rich yet airy layer that balances the cookies.
- Crush the Christmas Cookies: Place your chosen Christmas cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them coarsely. Small pieces work best to maintain texture without becoming mushy when layered.
- Assemble the Layers: In a clear glass dish or trifle bowl, start with a generous layer of crushed cookies. Follow with a layer of the pudding mixture, then add a layer of the cream cheese mixture. Repeat until all components are used, finishing with a cookie layer on top.
- Chill and Decorate: Cover the assembled Christmas Cookie Lush and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, sprinkle optional festive toppings for extra color and holiday flair.
Notes
- Use chilled bowls to help whipped topping retain volume.
- Press cookie layers lightly but firmly for even moisture absorption.
- Mix softer and crunchier cookies for preferred texture.
- Refrigerate overnight to enhance flavors and soften cookie layers.
- Serve in clear containers like trifle bowls to showcase the beautiful layers.
- Can be made 1-2 days ahead to enhance flavor and texture.
- Not recommended to freeze assembled dessert; freeze cookie crumbs separately if needed.
- Let dessert sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes if too cold before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg