Lemon Delight

Lemon Delight is a lush dessert that starts with a delicious no bake Lemon Oreo crust then is layered with cream cheese filling, a tangy lemon layer, and finished with a creamy whipped cream layer. This easy, layered dessert is going to be a hit for any lemon lover out there.

After making this recipe countless times, it’s become a staple in my home, especially during spring and summer months.

My family adores it, and it always flies off the table at potlucks and parties. If you’re a fan of zesty desserts, you might also like my Lemon Bars and Mini Key Lime Pie Bites.

Now, let’s dive into why I’m so obsessed with Ultimate Lemon Delight.

Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe has a special place in my heart primarily because it’s so refreshingly different from your typical chocolate or vanilla desserts.

The combination of creamy layers with a bold lemon flavor is just pure heaven in a bite.

Additionally, it’s incredibly easy to make – no baking required!

It’s always a joy to watch my guests’ eyes light up as they take their first bite, savoring the burst of lemony freshness.

It’s also versatile enough to be adapted with different toppings or flavors, yet it remains consistently delightful.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

• Lemon Oreo Cookies: These serve as the base, providing a crunchy texture and a hint of citrus. If you can’t find Lemon Oreos, Golden Oreos are a great alternative.
• Butter: This helps in binding the crust together and adds a rich flavour.
• Cream Cheese: Brings luscious creaminess to the dish and balances out the sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer subtly without making it overly sugary.
• Whipped Topping: Light and airy, it complements the thicker pudding layer perfectly.
• Lemon Pudding: The star ingredient, giving the dessert its bold lemon flavour. If unavailable, vanilla pudding with some added lemon zest works well.
• Lemon Juice: Enhances the citrusy punch of the pudding layer.
• Milk: Ensures the pudding is smooth and spreadable.

How to Make Lemon Delight

Creating the Ultimate Lemon Delight is a straightforward process.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the crust: Crush two-thirds of the Lemon Oreos and mix with melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Make the cream cheese layer: Combine cream cheese with powdered sugar and half of the whipped topping. Spread this mixture over the crust.
3. Create the lemon pudding layer: Mix the lemon pudding packets with lemon juice and milk, then refrigerate until thickened.
4. Assemble the layers: Once the pudding has set, spread it over the cream cheese mixture.
5. Top it off: Finish with the remaining whipped topping and a sprinkling of crushed Oreos.

🔑 Key to Success #1 – Start with a No Bake Lemon Oreo Crust

One of the things that sets this Lemon Delight recipe apart is the crust.

We’re using Lemon Oreos to form a thick and flavorful crust for our layered dessert.

If you can’t find the Lemon Oreos, you can use Golden Oreos or any vanilla flavored cookie.

Use a food processor to finely crush about 2/3 of the package of Oreos.

You can also crush the cookies in a large zip-top plastic baggie using a rolling pin or a heavy bottom saucepan.

Make sure the cookies are finely crushed with no large chunks left.

Place the cookie crumbs into a medium bowl.

Next, add the melted butter and stir until all the crumbs are moistened.

Finally, spread the moist Oreo crumbs into the bottom of the baking dish and press them down firmly to form a thick crust.

It’s as easy as that!

With this no-bake crust, you don’t even have to wait to let the crust cool.

🔑 Key to Success #2 – That Luscious Cream Cheese Layer

The cream cheese layer is one of my favorite parts of any of the layered “delight” desserts on the blog.

It adds so much richness and creaminess to the dessert. You are going to love it!

For the cream cheese layer, you’ll take a brick of cream cheese, a cup of powdered sugar, and half of a large tub of Cool Whip.

Or you can use one small tub of Cool Whip. (You will need two small tubs for this recipe.)

Before you start mixing up the cream cheese layer, be sure to allow the cream cheese to soften.

The easiest way to soften cream cheese is to allow it to sit on the countertop for 1-2 hours.

If you are short on time, you can soften cream cheese in the microwave.

Place the unwrapped cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power for 20 seconds, just enough to soften it without melting it.

Use an electric hand mixer to cream together the cream cheese and powdered sugar, also called confectioners’ sugar.

Next, add in the Cool Whip and blend until just combined.

🔑 Key to Success #3 – Pucker Up Lemon Pudding

The trick to getting lots of lemon flavor in this easy dessert is to add extra lemon juice to the pudding layer.

This extra lemon juice is completely optional. If you like less lemon flavor, you can just use the lemon pudding on its own.

But if you want that citrus tang in your Lemon Delight, you will want a little bit of extra lemon juice.

Two tablespoons of lemon juice is the right amount for us, but you can play around with the flavor and add more if you really want to pucker up.

We’re using two boxes of lemon pudding in our Lemon Delight.

Spread the lemon pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer then top with a thick layer of fluffy Cool Whip.

To top off this easy dessert, we’re using more crushed Lemon Oreos.

Crush them coarsely for the top so that you will have some larger chunks of cookies and not fine powder.

Handpicked Recipe Favorites from My Kitchen, Just for You!

❓Frequently Asked Questions