Chocolate Peanut Butter Lush

A slice of this Lush dessert with several layers sitting on a white plate.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Lush is a lusciously creamy layered dessert with an Oreo cookie crust, no bake peanut butter cheesecake layer, chocolate pudding layer, and topped off with mini Reese's peanut butter cups and peanut butter drizzle.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate peanut butter lush, peanut butter lush

Prep Time 20

Fridge Time 8

Total Time 8 20

Servings

Calories 410kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

Oreo Crust

3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
6 tablespoons butter melted

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer

8 ounces cream cheese softened
1¼ cups powdered sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
8 ounces Cool Whip thawed

Chocolate Pudding

1 box (5.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding mix
3 cups half and half

Topping

8 ounces Cool Whip
chopped mini Reese's peanut butter cups
1/2 cup warmed peanut butter (warm in microwave)

Instructions

Crust : Mix the Oreo crumbs and melted butter in a small mixing bowl until everything is evenly coated and mixed well.
3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs, 6 tablespoons butter
Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 cake pan to form an even layer. Place the pan in the freezer for 20 minutes while you prepare the rest.
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer : In a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and combined.
8 ounces cream cheese, 1¼ cups powdered sugar
Mix in the peanut butter.
1 cup creamy peanut butter
Mix in the Cool Whip and beat on low speed just until combined.
8 ounces Cool Whip
Spread the peanut butter mixture into an even layer over the Oreo crust.
Chocolate Pudding Layer : Pour the chocolate instant pudding mix and the half and half into a mixing bowl. Whisk together for 1-2 minutes until it's well combined, smooth, and thickened.
1 box (5.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding mix, 3 cups half and half
Spread the chocolate pudding over the peanut butter layer.
Topping : Spread the Cool Whip over top for the final layer. Cover the cake pan with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight is even better.
8 ounces Cool Whip
When ready to serve sprinkle the mini Reese's over top and drizzle the warmed peanut butter.
^{* Warm up the peanut butter in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds or until it's a pourable consistency for drizzling.}
chopped mini Reese's peanut butter cups, 1/2 cup warmed peanut butter

Notes

Serving Tip : Wait just before serving to drizzle on the warmed peanut butter and chopped mini Reese's peanut butter cups.

Fridge Time : You need a minimum of 8 hours of fridge time to accurately chill this recipe. This allows time for the layers to thicken and firm up, which also makes the dessert easier to cut into clean slices. It's the perfect make-ahead recipe because you can refrigerate it overnight. I prefer making it the night before and letting it refrigerate for 12-18 hours before serving.

Full-Fat Dairy Products : For the best thick texture, and taste, it's best to use full fat cream cheese and the half and half milk that is called for in the recipe. The higher fat content allows the layers to thicken really nicely which helps the dessert hold up nicely when being cut and served.

Butter : Unsalted butter or salted butter will both work just fine in the recipe. I prefer salted butter.

Serving Size : I cut this dessert into 18 pieces. 3 rows x 6 columns.

Recipe Changes -

Cookie Crust : Use any chocolate or peanut butter cookie you want. Chocolate Teddy Grahams work well, peanut butter Oreo cookies, chocolate graham crackers, Nutter Butter cookies, Nilla Wafers, or chocolate graham crackers are all great options.
Homemade Whipped Cream : Instead of using Cool Whip you can easily make your own. For 8 ounces of cool whip, you need to beat 1.5 cups of heavy whipping cream + 1/4 cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Start at low speed and increase speed as it gets thicker. You will need to do this twice because the recipe calls for two (8 ounce) containers of Cool Whip.
Toppings : Try switching it up and using chopped Oreo cookies (or peanut butter Oreos), Reese's Pieces, peanut butter lovers Reese's peanut butter cups, chocolate drizzle, chopped peanuts, etc.

Nutrition