Candy Cane Lush
Candy Cane Lush is a layered, no bake dessert that's perfect for holiday baking with white chocolate and peppermint cheesecake flavors. A homemade graham cracker crust, whipped cream, peppermint cheesecake, and white chocolate pudding layers make this a show-stopper dessert.
Servings 9
Equipment
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter melted
Peppermint Cheesecake
- 1 bar (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes
Homemade Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
White Chocolate Pudding
- 1 box (3.3 oz) white chocolate instant pudding mix
- 1¼ cups half and half
- 1 cup homemade whipped cream (from the earlier step)
- crushed peppermint candy canes (for garnish right before serving)
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and stir until all the cracker crumbs are coated well and the mixture resembles wet sand.1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of a square 8x8-inch baking dish. You can use the bottom of the measuring cup, or back of a spoon, to help firmly pack the crumbs down. Place it in the freezer while you prepare the other layers.
Peppermint Cheesecake
- In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth.1 bar (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese
- Add in the powdered sugar and peppermint extract, and continue beating the mixture until light and fluffy; about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the crushed candy canes.1 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons peppermint extract, 1/2 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes
- Evenly spread the peppermint cheesecake mixture over top the chilled crust, then return the baking dish to the refrigerator while you prepare the other layers.
Homemade Whipped Cream
- In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, or use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Start on low speed and increase the speed as it thickens.*You will use 1 cup of the whipped cream in the pudding layer and the remaining whipped cream will be the final layer on top, so just set it aside for now.2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
White Chocolate Pudding
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the white chocolate instant pudding mix and the half and half, for about 2-3 minutes or until it is nicely thickened.1 box (3.3 oz) white chocolate instant pudding mix, 1¼ cups half and half
- Gently stir 1 cup of the homemade whipped cream into the pudding mixture. Once combined, evenly spread the white chocolate pudding mixture on top of the cheesecake layer inside the baking dish.
Final Layer & Chill
- Spread the remaining whipped cream on top for the final layer. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (or up to overnight) before serving. *I prefer refrigerating overnight for the best flavor and thick, creamy texture.1 cup homemade whipped cream
- Just prior to serving, garnish the lush with the crushed peppermint candy canes. Cut into squares and enjoy!crushed peppermint candy canes
Notes
Be sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing it. Softened cream cheese blends smooth and fluffy, without any lumps. Leave the cream cheese out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. You can also pop it in the microwave (unwrapped!) for about 20 seconds to get it softened without making it warm or melted.
For the garnish, crush the peppermint candy canes right before adding them on top, so that they will stay nice and crisp and not melt into the whipped cream layer on top.
Don't substitute any of the ingredients. It's so important in this dairy-filled no bake dessert that you are using exactly what it calls for. This will ensure that the lush sets up the correct way, it's thick, and can easily be cut into squares. Use the heavy whipping cream, full fat cream cheese, and half and half. It's all necessary and called for for a specific reason.