Coconut Cream Lush

Coconut Lush is a no bake dessert with four luscious layers of coconut flavor! Sometimes called a dessert lasagna - coconut cream lush has a graham cracker coconut crust, coconut cheesecake layer, coconut pudding layer, and whipped cream on top.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword coconut cream lush, coconut lush

Prep Time 25

Chill Time 6

Total Time 6 25

Servings

Calories 358kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

Crust

15 whole graham cracker sheets
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter melted

Coconut Cheesecake Layer

2 bars (8 oz each) cream cheese room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon coconut extract
8 ounces Cool Whip thawed

Coconut Pudding Layer

2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant coconut cream pudding mix
3 cups half and half

Topping

8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
1/2 cup toasted coconut (optional, see notes)

Instructions

Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by spreading softened butter or shortening on the bottom and up the sides a little bit. You can also spray it lightly with cooking spray.
Make The Graham Cracker Crumbs Crust : Combine the graham crackers, coconut flakes, and brown sugar in a food processor. Process on high speed until the graham crackers are in fine crumbs. Slowly pour in the melted butter while processing on low speed and keep mixing until the crumbs starts to clump together are evenly coated in butter. Pour the crumbs into the prepared baking dish and firmly press them into an even layer to form the crust. Freeze for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the rest.
15 whole graham cracker sheets, 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
Coconut Cheesecake Layer : In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and coconut extract until smooth and combined well. Add in the Cool Whip and beat on low speed just until combined thoroughly. Set the bowl aside.
2 bars (8 oz each) cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon coconut extract, 8 ounces Cool Whip
Coconut Pudding Layer : Add the coconut cream instant pudding mix and milk to a mixing bowl. Whisk for 2 minutes or until the pudding starts to thicken. Set the pudding to the side and let it get thicker while you assemble the dessert (about 3-5 minutes).
2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant coconut cream pudding mix, 3 cups half and half
Assembly : Spoon the cheesecake layer over the crust and smooth it out evenly, making sure to take the layer all the way to the edges of the pan. Spread the coconut pudding mixture over top the cheesecake layer and spread it into an even layer. Finish it off by spreading the Cool Whip over top. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or a lid and let the dessert refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving. Before serving, garnish the coconut lush with the toasted coconut.
8 ounces Cool Whip, 1/2 cup toasted coconut

Notes

Don't Want To Use Cool Whip? : To replace the Cool Whip in the recipe you will need to do the following. Add 3 cups of heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl along with 3/4 cup powdered sugar. Beat on low speed using an electric hand mixer, start at low and increase as it thickens, until stiff peaks form. Use half of this for the coconut cheesecake layer and the other half for the final top layer of whipped cream.

Crust : Try using Golden Oreo cookies, Honey Teddy Grahams, cookies, shortbread cookies, or Nilla Wafers instead of graham crackers for the crust.

How To Toast Coconut : Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 1 cup of sweetened coconut flakes onto a baking sheet and bake for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Stir the coconut at least once halfway through the cook time to ensure it does not burn. Immediately remove from the oven once the coconut is golden brown.

Chill Time : Plan ahead and make sure that the dessert has at least 6 hours in the fridge, or up to overnight is really good too. Serve the coconut cream lush chilled from the fridge and don't leave leftovers at room temperature for too long or else the layers will soften.

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