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Key Lime Lush is a layered no bake dessert with sweet & tart key lime flavor, and 4 layers of deliciousness! A buttery graham cracker crust, whipped cheesecake layer, key lime pudding layer, and finished with whipped cream.

Do you love key lime desserts? Be sure and make these Key Lime Cookies, No Bake Key Lime Pie, and Key Lime Cheesecake.

A serving of the lush dessert with a fork bite taken out of the front.

No Bake Key Lime Lush Recipe (Easy Layered Dessert)

This key lime lush is a layered no bake dessert that is always a crowd favorite. A buttery graham cracker crust, whipped cheesecake layer, a sweet & tart key lime pudding layer, and finished off with whipped cream.

It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert because it needs lots of chill time for the layers to set properly and thicken.

With it’s tart, bright, citrusy, and sweet key lime flavor this is the perfect summertime dessert.

Side view of the inside of the pan of key lime lush

Ingredients Needed

Because there are 4 layers to this lush dessert, the ingredient list may look long, but it comes together easily, and with convenient ingredients too.

Graham Cracker Crust Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crumbs : You can buy these already crushed at the grocery store; in the baking aisle there are ‘graham cracker crumbs’ that come in a box. Or you can place graham cracker sheets into a food processor and process until they’re are finely ground up.
Granulated Sugar
Butter : I use salted butter but unsalted butter can also be used just fine. It just depends on what you prefer baking with, sodium content, etc.

Whipped Cheesecake Layer Ingredients

Cream Cheese : I highly recommend only using full-fat cream cheese in this recipe. It is thicker, tastes better, and will help the cheesecake layer thicken and set properly.
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Cool Whip : This layer needs 2 cups of whipped topping, which in not quite the whole 8 oz container, so just measure out 2 cups needed.

Key Lime Layer Ingredients

Lime Jello Mix : You will only use the dry jello powder and only use 3 tablespoons of it, so there will be some leftover.
Water : For best taste use filtered or purified water from a bottle.
White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix : Make sure you are using ‘instant’ and not the ‘cook & serve’ pudding mix.
Half and Half
Key Lime Juice : Key limes are different than regular limes. You can buy fresh key limes (they are smaller in size than limes) and freshly squeeze the juice using a citrus juicer, or you can buy key lime juice in the bottle and use that.
Key Lime Zest : Use a citrus zester, or microplane, to zest just the outer green skin from a key lime before juicing it.
Cool Whip

Whipped Cream Layer Ingredients

Cool Whip
Key Lime Zest
Graham Cracker Crumbs : Additional graham cracker crumbs make a pretty garnish for the top of the lush dessert.

How To Make No Bake Key Lime Lush (Printable Recipe Card)

Prepare an 8×8-inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper to make removing the lush easy. You can also spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray if wanted. Set aside.

Make The Crust : In a mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and stir until combined well and the mixture resembles wet sand.

Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even layer. Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the next layer.

Make The Whipped Cheesecake Layer : In another mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer or the paddle attachment with the stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.

Add the cool whip and mix gently on low speed just until fully incorporated.

Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the chilled graham cracker crust.

Make The Key Lime Layer : In a small bowl, whisk together the dry lime jello mix and boiling water until blended well. Set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together the instant white chocolate pudding mix and half and half until well combined.

Add the key lime juice and lime zest and continue to mix with the whisk until smooth.

Slowly and gradually pour the lime jello mixture into the pudding mixture until thoroughly combined.

Gently stir in the cool whip, being careful not to deflate the whipped topping while mixing. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly.

Once slightly thickened, pour the pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer, spreading it into an even layer to cover completely.

Whipped Topping Layer & Chill : Spread the cool whip evenly over the lime layer. Garnish with lime zest and additional graham cracker crumbs (optional garnish).

Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours (or overnight) until the layers are firm and set.

Cut into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy!

How To Store Leftover Key Lime Lush

Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, or a lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also remove individual servings to an airtight container for storage.

Make-Ahead Instructions : Prepare up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated, covered, until ready to serve.

Serving of the lush dessert on a white plate

Variations

Crust : Use crushed Nilla Wafers, crushed Golden Oreo cookies, or Teddy Grahams for a sweeter crust.
Jello Mix : Use any jello mix you want! Just make sure it goes with the lime zest and juice flavors. Like raspberry jello + lime, lemon jello + lime, etc.
Homemade Whipped Cream : Instead of using cool whip you can make your own! The recipe calls for a total of 5.5 cups of cool whip. So you will need to add 3 cups heavy whipping cream + 3/4 cup (or 1 cup for more sweet) powdered sugar into a mixing bowl, and beat until stiff peaks form. Use the measurements called for in the recipe.

Top view of a slice of layered lush with a fork

Tips For Success

Press the graham cracker crust mixture firmly into the pan to keep it from crumbling later. A flat-bottomed cup or spoon works great for this.
Carefully stir in the cool whip with a light hand to keep it fluffy and airy. I use a rubber spatula to just gently mix it lightly. Avoid overmixing to prevent it from losing its volume.
Make sure to allow enough time for the lush to chill in the fridge. You need at least 4-6 hours, but overnight is best! This allows them to set properly, thicken, and makes slicing much easier and prettier.

Key Lime Lush

No Bake Key Lime Lush Recipe (Easy Layered Dessert)