Pistachio Lush is a creamy, rich summer potluck dessert that is a cinch to make. Two boxes of pistachio pudding can easily be turned into a delicious no-bake layer dessert.
Pistachio pudding is a food that takes me back to my childhood. I loved it as a kid.
I also love a good lush dessert for summer entertaining. They are so cool and refreshing and will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Butterscotch Lush, Butterfinger Lush, and Lemon Lush are some of my favorites.
I also love to serve this layer dessert for Christmas or Easter. It has such a festive green color that is perfect for the holidays.
Creamy Layered Dessert
But sometimes I’m really craving some pistachio pudding and it’s Pistachio Lush to the rescue. This creamy dessert has 4 awesome layers and is totally no-bake. On the bottom is a graham cracker layer followed by a cream cheese layer, a pistachio pudding layer, and a layer of Cool Whip.
How To Make
(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)
You will want to whip this dessert up at least 2 hours before serving .
- Make the crust. Stir together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Refrigerate 1 hour. (Can be done more than 1 hour in advance if that suits your schedule better.)
- Make the cream cheese layer. Beat the cream cheese until smooth and then beat in the powdered sugar. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip. Spread over crust.
- Make the Pistachio layer. Mix together pistachio pudding mix and milk until it begins to thicken. Spread over cream cheese layer.
- Spread remaining Cool Whip on top and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Tips For Making Pistachio Lush
Once the crust is set, you can add all 3 layers at once or do them one at a time and let it hang out in the fridge between adding layers. Whatever is going to be more convenient for you.
If you wish, you can bake the crust for 8-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven and let it cool before adding the next layer. I find the crust holds together fine with no baking and in the middle of summer, why would you turn on the oven if you don’t have to?
Be sure to use INSTANT Pistachio pudding and not the Cook and Serve kind.
How To Store
Leftovers can be tightly wrapped with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
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Pistachio Lush
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Layer
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (16-ounce) container Cool Whip, divided
Pistachio Pudding Layer
- 2 small boxes Pistachio instant pudding mix
- 3 cups whole milk
Topping
- chopped pistachios, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Stir in 1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip. Spread over graham cracker crust.
- In a large bowl whisk together pudding mix and milk until it starts thickening, about 2 minutes. Spread over cream cheese layer.
- Spread remaining Cool Whip on top. Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top if desired. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted May 4, 2019.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
This Chocolate Hazelnut Delight is truly incredible! The layers are so rich and harmonious—silky, indulgent, and packed with that irresistible chocolate-hazelnut goodness. I adore how simple it is to prepare, yet it looks like it came from a fancy bakery. My friends were completely obsessed, and now they beg me to bring it to every party. The detailed instructions made it so easy to follow, even for a beginner. Thank you for this amazing recipe—it’s an instant classic in my book!
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Pistachio Lush is a creamy no-bake dessert featuring layers of graham cracker, cream cheese, pistachio pudding, and Cool Whip. Easy to make, it’s perfect for summer potlucks and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. For recipe organization, check out JSON Formatter!
This Pistachio Lush dessert is an absolute showstopper! The layers are perfectly balanced—creamy, crunchy, and bursting with that delightful pistachio flavor. I love how easy it is to make despite looking so impressive. My family couldn’t get enough of it, and it’s now a requested treat for every gathering. The step-by-step instructions were clear and made the process foolproof. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe—it’s a definite keeper! base converter