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Chocolate Cherry Lush

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This Chocolate Cherry Lush will quickly become a new family favorite! This dessert is so easy to make, can be made ahead of time and is perfect for holidays and parties!

Love cherry desserts? Make sure to try my Cherry Frosting and Cherry Oatmeal Crumble Bars!

layered dessert made with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. four layers on a white plate topped with chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Cherry Layered Dessert

I have been dreaming of this dessert for two years now. I finally had the chance to make it and I’m kicking myself for not making it sooner. I am obsessed, OBSESSED with chocolate and cherry. Together they create the most beautiful magic in my mouth and I look for every opportunity to pair these two ingredients.

As you know, I am quite partial to my Grandma’s 4-Layer Dessert. I’ve done a peppermint version and a chocolate-caramel version that stills blows my mind ever time I think  about it.

I grew up calling this a “Four Layer Dessert” but many of you know it as a lush. Because I didn’t want to freak you all out with a FIVE layer dessert, I went with Chocolate Cherry Lush for the title and lush it is!

This Chocolate Cherry Lush will quickly become a new family favorite! Easy to prepare, make it ahead of time for your chocolate and cherry loving friends and family! | MomOnTimeout.com | #recipe #dessert #chocolate #cherry

Lush Layers

The first layer is a magnificent crust that the rest of this dessert is built upon. The foundation for greatness, really. I used pecans but I know almonds and cherry go together like bread and butter so use almonds – or any other nut – that you prefer. I’m just partial to pecans 🙂

The second layer is cherry pie filling – use your favorite brand. My boys considered every bite that contained a cherry to be some sort of personal victory by the cheering that I heard going on while they were enjoying their dessert.

The third layer may be my favorite – cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Cool Whip. I could eat this stuff for breakfast.

The fourth layer is chocolate pudding but shoot, vanilla or whatever you’ve got on hand that you think would go well with cherries would be an excellent way to go.

The fifth layer is more Cool Whip which creates a beautiful canvas for whatever topping your heart desires: chocolate jimmies, chocolate curls, shaved chocolate, – just go with your gut on this one. I had a Hershey bar that was calling my name so yeah, that was kind of awesome.

chocolate cherry layered dessert in a white baking dish with two servings removed.

I really don’t think you can go wrong here. And it tastes all KINDS of right. I love how easy this dessert is to make and it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for busy days. It would be beautiful for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, potluck or picnic – it’s just so darn versatile!

You can really lighten this recipe up using fat-free, sugar-free jello and lite Cool Whip.

More No Bake Desserts To Try

  1. Banana Split Dessert
  2. Raspberry Cheesecake
  3. Easy No Bake Cookies
  4. No Bake Lemon Pie
  5. Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake
  6. No Bake Banana Cream Pudding Cheesecake

How To Make Chocolate Cherry Lush

layered dessert made with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. four layers on a white plate topped with chocolate shavings.
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5 from 5 votes

Chocolate Cherry Lush

This Chocolate Cherry Lush will quickly become a new family favorite! Easy to prepare, make it ahead of time for your chocolate and cherry loving friends and family!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate cherry layered dessert, chocolate cherry lush
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 36 servings
Calories 155kcal
Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

First Layer

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup crushed nuts I like pecans
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 8 tablespoons salted butter melted

Second Layer

  • 21 ounces cherry pie filling 1 can

Third Layer

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup Cool Whip 8 oz container

Fourth Layer

  • 6.8 ounces chocolate instant pudding 2 packages
  • 3 cups milk

Fifth Layer

  • Remaining Cool Whip from 8 oz container
  • ½ cup chocolate shavings or chocolate jimmies optional

Instructions

First Layer

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Combine ingredients and press into a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Cool.

Second Layer

  • Spread cherry pie filling over crust.

Third Layer

  • Beat cream cheese in a mixer until light and fluffy.
  • Add in Cool Whip.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Spread on cool crust.

Fourth Layer

  • Combine pudding mix and milk and prepare according to package instructions.
  • Spread over second layer.

Fifth Layer

  • Top fourth layer with remaining Cool Whip.
  • Sprinkle on chocolate shavings or chocolate jimmies.
  • Keep refrigerated until serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Comments

  3. Janet Welte says

    I was confused about your layering of the layers. your directions don’t make sense. too many layers on top of he 2nd layer., I will go according to the recipe layers.

    Reply

  4. Linda Plotnick says

    Hi. Just a little confused with the pudding directions.eack box of pudding says to use 2cups of milk (would be total of 4 cups). Do you add additional 3 cups of milk or use only 3 cups of milk

    Reply

  11. Mir says

    This is old school in the best way! My grandmother used to make desserts like this. I love them! And that crust is amazing. Just wow.

    Reply

  14. TaraLee says

    This was my all time favorite kind of dessert until I had my youngest daughter 5 years ago who is severely allergic to tree nuts. I’ve tried making this crust without the nuts, but it’s just lacking…something. I tried an crushed oreo crust but it was just too sweet. Anyone have any other suggestions?

    Reply

    • kandice says

      A great alternative for nuts in crusts is crushed pretzels. You could also try oats for a nutty chewy texture.

      Kandi
      Volunteer, Kids with Food Allergies (www.kidswithfoodallergies.org)

      Reply

  15. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

    I was JUST emailing my mom about a Lush recipe she makes but it starts out with storebought angel food cake. You go girl that yours is all scratch! and it looks Incredible! All those layers and textures and flavors! YUM!

    Reply
5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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