No-Bake

No-Bake Coconut Cream Lush Dessert

By Amy Flanigan

Published Jul 26, 2025

Read 12 Reviews

Prep 20 minutes mins

Servings 16

By Amy Flanigan

Published Jul 26, 2025

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This No-Bake Coconut Cream Lush Dessert has layers of deliciousness including a buttery crust, tangy middle, and a sweet silky coconut top. It’s rich yet light, and it’s so easy to make without any cooking involved. It’s perfect when you need something for a group and always a hit at summer potlucks!

If you’ve never had a lush dessert, you are missing out. They’re easy, no-bake, feed a crowd, and they’re luscious! Thus, the name. For this coconut cream lush dessert, I took my favorite Pineapple Lush and Banana Split Lush recipes and gave them a coconut twist. Reminiscent of coconut cream pie, but easier!

Helpful Tips & Variations

• Soften the cream cheese. For a smooth lump-free filling, be sure to soften the cream cheese ahead of time. I also recommend using full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the right texture.
• Keep the whipping cream cold. On the other hand, the heavy whipping cream should stay refrigerated until it’s needed. Warm heavy cream will not form stiff peaks.
• Use Cool Whip, if preferred. The whipped cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla can be replaced with an 8 ounce tub of (thawed) Cool Whip, if preferred.
• Swap the Nilla wafer cookies. A equal amount of shortbread cookies or graham crackers can be used instead of Nilla wafers.
• Instant coconut cream pudding. Make sure you’re using instant pudding and not the cook-serve kind. If you can’t find coconut cream, vanilla is an okay replacement.
• Chill before slicing. Give this dessert at least 5 hours to chill before serving. The layers need time to set. Overnight is great.

5 from 12

No-Bake Coconut Cream Lush Dessert

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Chill Time: 5 hours hrs

Total: 5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 16

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This No-Bake Coconut Cream Lush Dessert is smooth, rich, light, and there’s no cooking involved. It’s so easy and perfect for summer gatherings!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Ingredients 

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For The Crust

• ▢ 4 cups Nilla Wafer cookies
• ▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For The Filling

• ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 & 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes

For The Topping

• ▢ 3 ounce (1 box) instant coconut cream Jell-O pudding
• ▢ 2 cups whole milk
• ▢ 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes

Instructions 

• Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
• Blend the Nilla Wafers in a food processor until finely ground; add in the melted butter and blend until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until combined and fluffy.
• In a separate bowl using the electric mixer beat together the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until it reaches stiff peaks.
• Fold the beaten whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture along with the sweetened coconut flakes until combined.
• Spread the filing evenly over the Nilla wafer layer.
• Wipe out the bowl and pour in the instant Jell-o pudding powder and milk. Whisk vigorously for 2 minutes until thickened and set. Pour mixture over cream cheese layer. Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the top.
• Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled and set, about 5 hours. Slice and serve!

Video

Notes

Possible variations and substitutions are included in the article. This lush dessert is best enjoyed right after it’s done chilling, but leftovers will keep up to 2 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend freezing it.

Nutrition

Serving: 16servings | Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 699IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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How To Make Coconut Cream Lush Step by Step

• Prep. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.

• Make the crust. Blend 4 cups Nilla Wafers in a food processor until finely ground; add in 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and blend until well combined. Press the cookie mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

• Beat the cream cheese. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until combined and fluffy.

• Make the whipped cream. In a separate bowl using the electric mixer, beat together 1 & 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until it reaches stiff peaks (you should have about 3 cups.)

• Combine the ingredients. Fold the beaten whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture along with 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes until combined.

• Add to the crust. Spread the filing evenly over the Nilla wafer layer.

• Make the pudding mixture. Wipe out the bowl and pour in 3 ounces instant coconut cream Jell-o pudding powder and 2 cups whole milk. Whisk vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened and set. Pour mixture over cream cheese layer.

• Add the coconut. Sprinkle 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes over the top.

• Chill. Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled and set, about 5 hours.
• Enjoy. Slice and serve!

Proper Storage

Coconut cream lush is best enjoyed right after it’s done chilling, but leftovers will keep up to 2 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. It’s safe to eat after that, but the longer it sits, the softer the crust will get, and the filling tends to get watery.

More Coconut Desserts

• Coconut Pie (easiest pie ever!)
• Creamy Coconut Cake
• Easy Coconut Macaroons
• Coconut Cream Pie Dip

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!