Need a simple gluten free dessert to feed a crowd? This delicious gluten free Lemon Lush recipe is a real crowd pleaser.
This classic lemon layered dessert is given a gluten free twist with a delicious crust topped with a cream cheese filling, a lemon pudding layer, and topped with whipped topping. You might remember this dessert from your childhood.
If you aren’t familiar with Lemon Lush, it’s a classic Midwest recipe typically served at Easter, Thanksgiving, and potlucks.

It’s also sometimes referred to as Lemon Dessert, Lemon Delight, or Lemon Lasagna. (It has a lot of different names!)
There’s also a chocolate pudding version as well. Our Thanksgiving isn’t complete without this dish!
I have Celiac Disease which means that I have to eat gluten free. So I have quite a bit of experience revamping my old classic favorite recipes into delectable gluten free versions.
I’m all about making gluten free swaps that aren’t difficult or complicated. I love to create the perfect dessert that no one even can guess is gluten free.
Alright! Let’s get started on this creamy dessert.
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Lemon Lush Ingredients:
For this recipe you will need the following items:
1 1/2 cups of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
One teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 sticks of butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 egg
2-3 tablespoons cold water
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup of milk
2 package of Instant Lemon pudding mix (3.4oz)
4 cups milk (to prepare pudding)
8 ounces Cool Whip
Instructions:
First, mix the flour and regular sugar in a large bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces.
Next, using a pastry cutter, mix the butter into the flour until crumbly.
(Alternatively, you can use your Kitchen Aid mixer for convenience, although I believe the crust is more tender when you use a pastry cutter.)
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the lemon juice until slightly foamy.
Add the egg mixture to the flour and add just enough cold water (2-3 Tbsp) until the pastry dough holds it’s shape.
Press the dough into a 9×13 glass pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 to 25 minutes.
It’s important to not let it overcook. Browning around the edges is fine, but less is better. Ironically, my pic above is a bit overdone. (Isn’t that life!)
Let the crust cool completely.
Next, mix the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1/3 cup of milk, until smooth. Or as smooth as it can get….It will appear a bit lumpy, but that’s fine!
I like to use my Kitchen Aid Mixer for this.
Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the cooled crust layer, cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until set.
Prepare the lemon instant pudding with 4 cups of milk. Add the lemon pudding layer on top of the cream cheese layer and again cover with plastic wrap.
Cool in the refrigerator until set (about 1 hour). It’s important to make sure the pudding is set, otherwise the finished dessert will be runny and you won’t get the layered effect.
Before serving, add a layer of whipped topping. If you do this ahead of time, the lemon layer will discolor the white layer, so waiting is best!
Once the whipped topping has been added, it’s ready to serve. I hope you enjoy this amazing Gluten Free Lemon Lush Dessert!
Modifications:
You can modify this dessert by changing the flavor of pudding. We often double this recipe to make 1 Chocolate Lush and 1 Lemon Lush. We’ve also tried butterscotch as well and it’s delicious!
Another idea is to add chopped pecans to the top of the dish and into the bottom crust if you like!
If you decide to use 1 large pudding mix instead of 2 small ones, that absolutely works, but be sure to follow the directions on the pudding box for altering the amount of milk.
You can add decorative lemon zest or lemon peel to the top of the dessert as well. Whipped cream can use used instead of whipped topping.
You are welcome to substitute your own homemade lemon pudding recipe for the instant pudding. I prefer making these lemon dessert recipes as simple as possible, so I went with instant.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! It truly is one of my favorite desserts with it’s creamy layers and buttery crust! This dessert rarely makes it home from gatherings as it’s a crowd favorite, but if you do have leftovers they should used within 3-4 days.
Lemon Lush Recipe Card
You can grab the printable recipe card below to create this delicious gluten free lemon lush!

Gluten Free Lemon Lush Dessert
Equipment
- KitchenAid Mixer
- Pastry Cutter
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 sticks butter
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 egg
- 2-3 tbsp cold water
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 packages Instant Lemon pudding mix (3.4oz)
- 4 cups milk (to prepare pudding)
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
Instructions
- Mix the flour and white sugar in a large bowl.
- Cut the butter into small pieces. With a pastry cutter, mix the butter into the flour until crumbly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the lemon juice until slightly foamy. Add the egg mixture to the flour and add just enough cold water (2-3 Tbsp) until the pastry dough holds it’s shape.
- Press the dough into a 9×13 glass pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 to 25 minutes. Do not let it brown except around the edges. Let it cool.
- Mix the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1/3 cup of milk, until smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the cooled crust layer, cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until set.
- Prepare the lemon instant pudding with 4 cups of milk. Add the lemon pudding layer on top of the cream cheese layer and again cover with plastic wrap. Cool in the refrigerator until set (about 1 hour).
- Before serving, add a layer of whipped topping. Enjoy!
More Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Looking for more gluten free desserts?
Don’t miss the Chocolate Lush Dessert Recipe. My kids say it’s the best dessert ever!
Is your sweet tooth craving an ice cream cake? Check the full instructions on how to create your own Gluten Free Ice Cream Cake at home. Great for birthday parties or a great dessert to cool off on a hot day.
Ready for a bit of nostalgia? Try this Gluten free Dirt Pudding Cup recipe. It’s just like what you remember having as a kid!
Making a cake? Try this super Easy Gluten Free Vanilla Buttercream Icing Recipe. It’s perfect for icing your cupcakes and birthday cakes!
If you would like to save this Lemon Lush dessert recipe for later, pin the image below to your Gluten free dessert recipes on Pinterest.