October 16, 2024
Review RecipeLemon Lasagna
Table of Contents
For those who crave a dessert that’s both light and luscious, our Lemon Lasagna is the one to try. This recipe puts the lemon front and center. A lemon Oreo base brings an unexpected tang, while real lemon juice adds brightness to every creamy layer. The result is a perfectly balanced combination of tart and sweet, with each bite delivering a refreshing yet indulgent experience.
Let’s Dish: About This Dessert
Main Ingredients: Golden Oreos, cream cheese, Cool Whip, powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon pudding, milk.
Quick Steps: Make Oreo crust, spread cream cheese, then pudding, top with Cool Whip.
Total Time & Yield: 1 hour 30 minutes, serves 12.
Why This Recipe
- This lemon lasagna recipe stands out by emphasizing a balanced combination of tartness and sweetness.
- While many recipes use Golden Oreos or even graham crackers for the crust, our recipe brings a zesty brightness by using lemon Oreos, amplifying the citrus flavor right from the base. This adds a unique tanginess that complements the creamy layers without being overly sweet.
- Additionally, unlike other recipes that stick to basic cream cheese and Cool Whip layers, we blend in fresh lemon juice and zest, adding a natural freshness that elevates the dessert beyond just relying on pudding mix for flavor.
- The result is a brighter, fresher dessert that stands out compared to others that lean heavily on pre-packaged elements.
- Moreover, while some variations recommend different cookie bases or pudding flavors, our focus remains on enhancing the natural lemon flavor to offer a more cohesive lemon-forward experience.
- This makes our recipe ideal for true lemon lovers looking for something refreshingly bright and creamy.
Lemon Lasagna Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 (14.3-ounce) package of golden Oreo cookies
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
- 16-ounce container of Cool Whip, divided in half
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- Lemon juice from 1 lemon
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package of instant lemon pudding mix
- 3 cups of milk
- Optional: lemons for garnish
PRO TIP:
The pudding will not set with dairy-free or lactose-free milk. Make sure you are using regular milk in this recipe.
Substitutions And Additions
LEMON PUDDING LAYER: Lemon pudding is an easy way to make this layer, but you could also use lemon pie filling or lemon curd. You can substitute either of these for a tart, more lemony flavor. Adding lemon zest to your pudding layer or sprinkled on top of the dessert is a delicious way to add some extra, bright lemon flavor.
CRUST: If you can’t find golden Oreos, you can use a graham cracker crust instead. Substitute 9 crackers (1 sleeve) of graham crackers. Check out our homemade graham cracker crust recipe for instructions.
TOPPINGS: There are so many tasty options here! Top this dessert with your favorites, such as chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, toasted coconut, or shaved white chocolate.
WHIPPED TOPPING: If you would prefer to make your own whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip, check out our whipped cream recipe.
How To Make This Lemon Lasagna Recipe
For The Crust
STEP ONE: In a food processor, pulse the golden Oreos until fine crumbs are formed. Set aside 1 cup of crushed Oreos to use as a topping later.
Be sure to add the whole Oreos to the food processor, filling included. This will help to keep your crust together.
STEP TWO: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed Oreos with ½ cup of melted butter.
STEP THREE: Press the cookie mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Chill completely in the refrigerator.
For The Cream Cheese Layer
STEP FOUR: In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, 8 ounces of Cool Whip, one cup of powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
STEP FIVE: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the crust. Chill in the refrigerator.
For The Lemon Layer
STEP SIX: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups of milk with both of the instant pudding flavors. Mix until the pudding thickens.
STEP SEVEN: Spread the pudding layer over the cream cheese layer. Chill in the refrigerator.
For The Topping
STEP EIGHT: Top with the remaining Cool Whip.
STEP NINE: Chill for at least one hour before serving, or overnight if possible. Before serving, top with the remaining Oreo crumbs and sliced lemons for garnish, if desired.
Chilling this dessert overnight will make it easier to cut and give it a thicker consistency. If you plan to make it a day ahead, add it to the fridge overnight and then top with the crushed cookies just before serving.
How To Serve
Serve this luscious dessert treat for a quick and easy no-bake option anytime you are craving something sweet and tangy. Add our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our southern strawberry sweet tea on the side to wash it down.
Dessert lasagnas are all the rage, and we can’t get enough of these sweet layered desserts! Our other popular picks are chocolate lasagna and raspberry lasagna.
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: This lemon lasagna dessert recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
IN THE FREEZER: Lemon lasagna can also be frozen for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge before serving.
This bright and cheerful lemon lasagna, also called lemon delight or lemon lush, is the ultimate four-layer treat! So many creamy ingredients make this a heavenly confection that will become one of your new favorite desserts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are so many possibilities with this recipe. Try chocolate pudding with chocolate Oreos, banana pudding with golden Oreos, or pistachio pudding with chocolate Oreos. Choose toppings that pair well with each flavor.
You can keep lemon lasagna in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for about a month.
If you can’t find vanilla Oreos, you can use either graham cracker crumbs or vanilla Nilla wafers for your crust.
More Lemon Dessert Recipes
- Lemon Bars
- Lemon Cheesecake
- Lemon Poke Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Lemon Lush
- Lemon Cool Whip Cookies
- Lemon Curd
- Mini Lemon Meringue Pies
- Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
- Lemon Chiffon Cake
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Cobbler
- Lemon Cake with Lemon Curd
- Lemon Cake
Lemon Lasagna
Ingredients
- 14.3 ounces golden Oreo cookies
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 16 ounces Cool Whip, divided in half
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- lemon juice, from 1 lemon
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3.4 ounces instant lemon pudding mix
- 3 cups milk
- lemons, for optional garnish
Instructions
For the Crust
- Place the whole golden Oreos in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Set aside one cup of crushed Oreos for the topping.
- In a medium bowl, combine crushed golden Oreos with ½ cup melted butter.
- Press the cookie mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Chill in the refrigerator.
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, mix softened cream cheese, 8 ounces of Cool Whip, one cup powdered sugar, and lemon juice from 1 lemon until smooth.
- Spread evenly over cookie layer. Chill in the refrigerator.
For the Lemon Layer
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups milk with both instant pudding flavors until pudding thickens.
- Spread evenly over cream cheese layer. Chill.
For the Topping
- Top with remaining Cool Whip.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving. Cover with remaining Oreo crumbs and lemon slices for garnish, if desired.
Video
Notes
- The pudding will not set with dairy-free or lactose-free milk. Make sure you are using regular milk in this recipe.
- Transform this lasagna into a pie by making it in a pie dish. Follow the same steps to layer your pie (a deep dish pie tin is recommended). Since the pie dish will be a little smaller, don’t feel like you have to use all of the mixture for each layer.
- Be sure to add the whole Oreos to the food processor, filling included. This will help to keep your crust together.
- Chilling this dessert overnight will make it easier to cut and give it a thicker consistency. If you plan to make it a day ahead, add it to the fridge overnight and then top with the crushed cookies just before serving.
Nutrition
Even More Easy Recipes
- Banana Pudding Pie
- Meringue Cookies
- Chocolate Meringue Pie
- S’mores Lasagna
- White Chocolate Lasagna
- Mint Chip Dessert Lasagna
- Cream Puff Dessert
- Cool Whip Candy
- Campfire Dessert Pizza
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lasagna
- Christmas Lasagna Dessert
- Butterscotch Cool Whip Pie
- Coconut Macaroons
- Peanut Butter Lasagna
- Hot Cocoa Lasagna
- Mini Key Lime Pies
Comments
JudyP says
I’m the mom of 5 boys and one very tomboyish girl who are all grownups now with their own boys and girls. They will love this!!
ANNE ROBINSON says
Is there an alternative to using the pudding mix? My family has issues with sugar and most artificial ingredients, and I can substitute whipped cream for the Cool Whip, but the pudding??
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t tried making it any other way so I don’t have a good suggestion for what you could use instead of pudding, I’m sorry!
Sabryna says
You could use custard and a lemon curd both of which are made in dubble boilers on the stove it will take longer to make ans set but would taste the same
Phyllis naumann says
What if you donโt have a food processor? Can you substitute anything else? Maybe graham cracker crust?
Layne Kangas says
You could probably use a blender instead!
Lu says
Or just put into a ziplock bag & take out aggression with a rolling pin. ๐ฌ
PJ says
Would say you could just put in a ziplock type bag and use a rolling pin.
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you could!
Beth says
Cheesecake pudding mix instead of vanilla pudding mix would also work.
Frankie Schilke says
I’m making this tomorrow. I had a recipe similar when I was living overseas and I lost it I’m so excited.
Thank you for posting kiss recipe
Melissa says
I was going tom ask if lemon Oreos could be used. My husband thinks that would be delicious!
Layne Kangas says
Yes, that would be delicious!
Janet says
Lemon Oreos would make a great crust!
Glynnette Scott says
Oh, my Mouth is watering just looking at picture! Love love lemon sweets!
Thanks for sharing๐ธ
dana reed says
I can’t wait to make. I am not a huge Coolwhip fan. Could homemade whipped cream (heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and lemon zest) work?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you could definitely do that! Enjoy ๐
Suzanne says
This looks so good! I love the idea of vanilla Oreos! Do you use them in any other crust recipes?
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?