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Pistachio Lush Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 137 reviews

Pistachio Lush is a decadent layered dessert featuring a buttery walnut crust, a creamy cream cheese layer, and a luscious pistachio pudding topping, finished with whipped topping and toasted almonds for crunch. Perfectly balanced with textures and flavors, this no-bake dessert is chilled to set, making it an elegant and easy-to-make treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup stick butter, cut up
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 cup whipped topping

Pistachio Pudding Layer

  • 2 packages instant pistachio pudding
  • 3 cups milk

Topping

  • 2 cups whipped topping
  • 1/2 cup toasted almonds (optional, but recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the flour and cut-up butter; use a pastry blender or two knives to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles small peas. Stir in the chopped walnuts, then press this mixture evenly into a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
  2. Bake and Cool Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden and set. Remove the pan from the oven and let the crust cool completely before proceeding.
  3. Make Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and 1 cup of whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and silky. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the cooled crust in the pan.
  4. Prepare Pistachio Pudding: Whisk the 2 packages of instant pistachio pudding into 3 cups of milk for 1–2 minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. This step activates the pudding mix and ensures proper setting.
  5. Assemble Pudding Layer: Spread the thickened pistachio pudding evenly on top of the cream cheese layer in the pan.
  6. Chill Dessert: Place the assembled dessert in the refrigerator and chill for 2 to 3 hours, allowing the pudding to set completely and the flavors to meld.
  7. Add Final Topping and Garnish: Once chilled, top the dessert with the remaining 2 cups of whipped topping, spreading it evenly. Optionally, sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup of toasted almonds for added texture and flavor. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cream cheese layer.
  • To toast almonds, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  • Allow the dessert to chill sufficiently to achieve a firm set and enhance flavor melding.
  • Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds in the crust if preferred.
  • This dessert can be prepared a day in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.

Keywords: Pistachio Lush, layered dessert, pistachio pudding dessert, walnut crust, cream cheese layer, easy dessert, make ahead dessert

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/pistachio-lush-recipe/