This four-layer delight is cool, creamy, and so flavorful.

Published on November 20, 2025

Credit:

Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Ashley Sandoval

Total Time:

7 hrs 45 mins

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If you're looking for a chocolate dessert that's rich, easy, and guaranteed to wow, this chocolate lush is it. The layered dessert starts with a cookie crust that's topped with a silky cream cheese whip, rich chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped cream. For clean slices, dip a sharp, thin-bladed knife into hot water. Dry off knife and then cut dessert. Rewarm knife as necessary and whip the knife clean before making your next cut.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups chocolate or regular graham cracker crumbs (about 7 oz.)

  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

  • 3 1/2 cups whole milk

  • 2 (3.9-oz.) packages instant chocolate pudding mix

  • 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed

  • 1 1/4 cups whipping cream

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 2 oz. finely chopped or grated semisweet chocolate

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly butter a 3-quart rectangular (13×9-inch) baking dish. Set aside.

  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add butter; stir to combine. Press evenly into bottom of baking dish. Bake 10 minutes or until set. Cool completely on a wire rack.

  3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing wrap directly onto surface to prevent skin. Chill until ready to use.

  4. In another medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping until combined. Spread evenly over cooled crust. Cover and chill 30 minutes until set.

  5. Stir pudding mixture and spoon over cream cheese layer; spread evenly. Cover and chill 30 minutes until set.

  6. In a large bowl, beat whipping cream and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium-high 2 minutes or until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and beat about 2 minutes more until stiff peaks form. Spread evenly over pudding layer. Top with chopped chocolate. Serve immediately (or for more perfect layers, cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight before serving).

How to Store Chocolate Lush

Cover and chill up to 3 days. (Freezing is not recommended.)