Orange Creamsicle Lush

Table of Contents

1. Orange Creamsicle Lush Ingredients
2. Substitutions And Additions
3. How To Make This Orange Creamsicle Lush Recipe
4. How To Serve
5. Storage
6. Why We Love This Recipe
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. More Recipes You’ll Love
9. JUMP TO RECIPE

The nostalgic flavor that we enjoyed in popsicle form is now reinvented in this orange creamsicle lush recipe. A buttery cookie base is topped with a creamy orange-flavored cheesecake filling, a sweet vanilla and orange pudding mixture, and whipped cream, creating a dreamy no-bake dessert.

Orange Creamsicle Lush Ingredients

This orange creamsicle lush features a crust that combines crushed vanilla sandwich cookies, melted butter, and fresh orange zest for a citrusy base.

The cheesecake filling offers a tangy sweetness, enriched with cream cheese, vanilla, powdered sugar, and orange zest.

The orange jello layer brings the classic creamsicle flavor with zesty orange notes, all complemented by creamy vanilla pudding.

You’ll need:

For The Crust:

• 30 vanilla sandwich cookies, finely crushed
• 6 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest (1 medium-sized orange)

For The Cheesecake Filling:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups of powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of fresh orange zest (½ medium-sized orange)

For The Orange Jello Layer:

• ⅓ cup of mandarin orange juice (drained from the 14-ounce can of mandarin oranges)
• 1 (6-ounce) box of orange-flavored gelatin
• 1 tablespoon of fresh orange zest (½ medium-sized orange)
• 1 (3.4-ounce) box of instant vanilla pudding
• 1¼ cups of cold milk
• 5 drops of orange food coloring (optional)
• 2 teaspoons of orange extract

For The Topping:

• 12 ounces of whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (14-ounce) can of mandarin orange segments, drained (reserve ⅓ cup for the orange jello layer)

Substitutions And Additions

FRUIT: This can be adjusted to any fruit flavor; it is very adaptable. Omit the orange zest and add whichever flavor jello, juice, and extract you’d like.

WHIPPED CREAM: If you want to make homemade whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip and you have heavy whipping cream on hand, check out our recipe here.

CITRUS: Replace the mandarin juice, orange zest, and orange gelatin with the lemon or lime equivalent for a tangy citrus version of this dessert.

VANILLA SANDWICH COOKIES: If you can’t get vanilla sandwich cookies, there are a few options you could choose from instead.

If you want to stick with the vanilla base, you could use vanilla wafers instead.

You could also use graham crackers, chocolate, or Oreo sandwich cookies as an alternative.

How To Make This Orange Creamsicle Lush Recipe

Let’s have a look at each of the layers that make up this delightful dessert.

For The Crust

STEP ONE: Using a medium bowl, combine the finely crushed cookie crumbs, melted butter, and orange zest.

STEP TWO: Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

STEP THREE: Evenly spread and press the cookie crumb mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.

Chill in the refrigerator while making the cheesecake layer.

For The Cheesecake Layer

STEP ONE: Using a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese and vanilla extract for 1 minute or until smooth.

STEP TWO: Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated.

STEP THREE: Fold in the orange zest.

STEP FOUR: Remove the crust from the refrigerator and evenly spread the cream cheese mixture.

Return the baking dish to the refrigerator while preparing the orange jello and pudding layer.

For The Orange Jello Layer

STEP ONE: Using a heat-safe 1-cup measuring cup, heat the reserved mandarin orange juice in the microwave for 30 seconds.

STEP TWO: Using a small heat-safe mixing bowl, add the orange-flavored gelatin and the orange extract.

Pour the hot mandarin orange juice over the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is dissolved.

STEP THREE: Using a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding and the cold milk until the pudding is thickened.

STEP FOUR: Whisk in the gelatin mixture. Whisk until completely combined. If you wish to add the orange food coloring, whisk it in.

STEP FIVE: Fold in the orange zest.

STEP SIX: Remove the baking pan from the refrigerator and evenly spread the gelatin pudding mixture on top of the cream cheese layer.

Cover and return the baking dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least four hours to overnight.

STEP SEVEN: Just before serving, evenly spread the whipped topping. Evenly divide and space the mandarin orange slices.

Slice into 2-inch x 2-inch squares.

How To Serve

This delightful and fluffy orange dreamsicle lush dessert would be fantastic for any potluck or special event.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an extra indulgent treat.

Our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or our southern strawberry sweet tea is perfect on the side to wash it down.

If you like this delightful treat, we can help you with other variations on this no-bake recipe, including our Oreo delight, butterscotch delight, and pineapple delight dessert.

Storage

Whether you’re planning ahead or have leftovers to save, here’s what you need to know to keep your creamy, citrusy treat in perfect condition.

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get ahead of the game, you can prepare this orange creamsicle lush a day or two before serving.

Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it in the fridge.

It’s important not to add any garnishes or toppings until you’re ready to serve to keep everything fresh and delightful.

IN THE FRIDGE: If you have any fluffy orange creamsicle lush leftovers, be sure to store them in the fridge in an airtight container or covered in aluminum foil for up to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze this creamy dessert in an airtight, freezer-safe food storage container for up to three months. 

Why We Love This Recipe

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR FUSION: This dessert combines the classic and beloved flavors of oranges and creamsicles into one delightful treat. The zesty, citrusy notes of fresh oranges meld perfectly with the creamy, sweet cheesecake and jello layers.

NOSTALGIC: This orange creamsicle lush brings back fond memories of enjoying creamsicle ice creams on warm summer days.

Creamy and dreamy, this layered dessert is always a hit at any time of the year, especially when the warmer weather arrives. It tastes just like the favorite childhood ice cream treat.

You can’t go wrong with no-bake desserts, and this one is amazing with its perfect cookie crust, fresh orange flavor, and pretty layers of creamy vanilla pudding and velvety cream cheese.

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