Description
Orange Lush Dessert is a delightful no-bake layered treat combining a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cream cheese layer, refreshing orange gelatin with mandarin oranges, and topped with whipped topping. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for gatherings and offers a balance of creamy and fruity flavors with a light and fluffy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cream Cheese Layer
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed and divided
Orange Gelatin Layer
- 1 package (3 ounces) orange gelatin powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
Instant Pudding Layer
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
Instructions
- Prepare Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until evenly mixed. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Fold in half of the whipped topping gently and spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
- Prepare Gelatin: In a separate bowl, dissolve the orange gelatin powder in boiling water. Stir in cold water and allow the mixture to cool slightly until just warm, ensuring it is not hot to prevent curdling in following steps.
- Make Pudding Mixture: In another bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until thickened. Carefully stir the pudding into the slightly cooled gelatin mixture.
- Add Fruit and Assemble Layers: Gently fold mandarin oranges into the gelatin-pudding mixture. Carefully spread this orange layer evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Finish with Whipped Topping and Chill: Spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the orange gelatin layer. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 4 hours or until fully set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the gelatin mixture is warm, not hot, when combining with the pudding to avoid curdling.
- Fold layers gently for a lighter texture rather than stirring vigorously.
- Drain and pat dry mandarin oranges thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in the dessert.
- Allow the crust to cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting.
