Candy Cane Lus​h

This Candy Cane Lush is a no-bake dessert with layers of creamy cheesecake, vanilla pudding, and a graham cracker crust, topped with crushed candy canes. It’s a delicious combination of sweet, minty flavors and colorful layers that add a little fun to any holiday dessert table!

Candy Cane Lush Recipe

Add a festive touch to your holiday celebrations with this Peppermint Lush Dessert! It’s a no-bake dessert that has it all. It’s made with a buttery graham cracker crust, a smooth peppermint cheesecake layer, a fluffy Cool Whip layer, and a vibrant red pudding layer. For the perfect finishing touch, it’s topped with a layer of whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

With its colorful layers and sweet peppermint flavor, this lush is not only delicious, but it also makes a beautiful presentation. It’s Ideal for holiday parties and family gatherings, or any occasion when you need a festive treat. Plus, this is also an awesome make-ahead recipe so you can spend more time enjoying the day with your friends and family.

If you love this recipe, you should also try my recipes for Hot Chocolate Lush and this easy Pumpkin Lush.

Why We Love This Recipe

Easy recipe – This layered dessert recipe is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Delicious flavors – The combination of creamy layers and peppermint candy cane bits creates a delightful contrast in textures and flavors.
Perfect Christmas dessert – Plus, the vibrant red and white layers make it a beautiful centerpiece for the holiday season.

Ingredients

For the Crust

Graham cracker crumbs – Creates the sweet and buttery crust
Unsalted butter – Binds the crumbs

Cheesecake Layer

Softened cream cheese – Blended until smooth for a creamy cheesecake filling.
Powdered sugar – Adds sweetness to cream cheese mixture.
Peppermint extract – Gives the cheesecake filling minty flavor.
Red gel food coloring – Gives the filling a festive red color.

For the Pudding Layer

Instant vanilla pudding mix – Creates a creamy and thick layer with a hint of vanilla flavor.
Cold milk – We used whole milk but you can use 2% if you prefer.
Cool whip – Adds volume and fluffiness to the pudding layer.
Red gel food coloring – Adds festive color to the pudding layer.

For the Topping

Cool Whip – We used store-bought whipped topping, but you can use homemade if you prefer.
Crushed candy canes – You can use candy canes or the round peppermint starlight candies.

Instructions

Step One: Prepare the Crust

A square white baking dish filled with a flattened, uncooked graham crackers for Candy Cane Lush

Add the graham crackers to a food processor and blend until they are fine crumbs. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
Spray the bottom of a 9 x 9 baking dish with cooking spray, then press the mixture into the bottom of the dish.
Refrigerate the crust while preparing the layers.

Step Two: Prepare the Cheesecake Layer

A clear bowl filled with creamy, smooth white frosting being mixed with a wooden spoon for Candy Cane Lush

In a large bowl, mix the room temperature cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar and peppermint extract, and mix until well combined.
Add a few drops of red food coloring until the desired shade of red is achieved.
Gently fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Spread the red cheesecake layer evenly over the prepared crust.

Step Three: Prepare the Pudding Layer

A square white baking dish filled with bright red batter, ready to be baked for Candy Cane Lush recipe.

Next, spread the remaining cool whip over the top of the red layer. Then, for the next layer, in a medium bowl, whisk together the vanilla instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Add a few drops of red gel food coloring until the desired shade of red is achieved.
Spread the red pudding layer evenly over the cheesecake layer.

Step Four: Add the Topping, Chill and Serve

Large rectangular Candy Cane Lush dessert topped with white cream and sprinkled with crushed red and white peppermint candies.

For the final layer, spread the container of whipped topping evenly over the vanilla pudding layer.
Sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces over the top of the dessert for a festive touch.
Refrigerate the dessert for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
Slice and serve chilled.

Storing Christmas Lush

Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5-6 days.

How to Freeze This Peppermint Dessert

A slice of Candy Cane Lush with a graham cracker crust, topped with crushed candy canes, placed on a white plate.

To freeze, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then with a layer of aluminum foil before freezing. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight until it’s fully defrosted. Just keep in mind that the texture of the Cool Whip topping might be slightly affected by freezing.

Variations and Add-ins

Oreo crust: Swap the graham cracker crumbs for crushed chocolate Oreo cookies or golden Oreos for a different flavor.
Cheesecake layer: Use flavored cream cheese, such as vanilla or even chocolate, for a unique taste. You can also add mini chocolate chips for extra texture.
Pudding: Try using white chocolate pudding or chocolate pudding mix instead of vanilla for a rich, chocolatey layer. You can also mix in crushed peppermint candies for added crunch.
Toppings: For a change, use crushed chocolate peppermint bark instead of candy canes. You could also drizzle with chocolate syrup or caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
Nuts: Add finely chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, to the crust or sprinkle them on top of the dessert for added crunch.
Other add-ins: Feel free to add even more layers with crushed cookies, mini marshmallows, or even a layer of fruit preserves between the cheesecake and pudding layers.

Top Tips

To get nice, clean slices, place the dessert in the freezer for a short time to firm it up.
Keep the layers distinct by refrigerating the dessert between making the layers
Chill the crust in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before adding the layers to prevent it from becoming soggy.
When preparing ahead of time, cover the dessert to prevent it from absorbing odors or flavors from the fridge.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of food coloring for the layers?

Yes, you can use any color of gel food coloring depending on the holiday. For instance, green would be awesome for St. Patrick’s Day.

How do I know when the dessert is fully set?

The dessert is fully set when the layers are firm to the touch and feel fairly solid. It should hold its shape when sliced, and the layers should be distinct.

Can I make this dessert in a different-sized pan?

Yes, you can use a different-sized pan, but it will affect the thickness of each layer. Adjust the recipe accordingly if you use a pan that is significantly larger or smaller than the 9×9-inch dish.

Can I use light or reduced-fat versions of the ingredients?

Yes, you can use light or reduced-fat versions of ingredients like milk, cream cheese, and Cool Whip. The texture and flavor may be slightly different, but the dessert will still be delicious.

Why is it called a “Lush”?

The word “Lush” in desserts refers to a rich, creamy, and decadent treat, made with multiple layers of sweet, creamy fillings.