This easy No-Bake Pineapple Lush Dessert recipe is silky, rich, light, and there’s no cooking involved. With only 8 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep, the hardest part is waiting for it to chill!
More lush desserts we love include our banana cream lush and coconut cream lush – so good!
Easy No-Bake Pineapple Lush Dessert
When you think of summer fruit, what’s the first one to come to mind? For me, it’s pineapple and watermelon. Okay okay, I know that’s two fruits, but I cannot imagine summer without either one. Don’t make me choose.
While my husband can eat his weight in pineapple, my kids are sort of indifferent. However, we all agree how amazing this pineapple lush is. With a buttery graham cracker base, layers of sweet crushed pineapple and silky whipped cream, and topped with toasted coconut, what’s not to love? It’s rich, yet light, and incredibly delicious. So easy and great for a making in advance, so it’s perfect for summer gatherings!
What is a Lush?
Lush (also referred to as dessert lasagna) is basically a layered dessert that typically starts with a graham cracker or cookie crust and then has a layer of cheesecake mousse or pudding, and whipped cream. Some versions, like this pineapple lush, include fruit or other toppings.
Similar to an icebox cake, lush desserts are no-bake, feed a crowd, and are simply luscious – thus, the name LUSH. If you’ve never had a lush dessert, you are missing out!
Ingredients Needed
You only need 8 simple ingredients for this lush recipe:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Honey graham crackers and Butter – Graham cracker crumbs and melted butter are combined and become the base for this dessert. Nilla wafter cookie crumbs or shortbread cookies are great alternatives.
- Crushed pineapple – Canned crushed pineapple is our star ingredient and also makes this a convenient year-round dessert.
- Cream cheese – This makes the pineapple layer rich and creamy.
- Powdered sugar – For sweetness. Do not use granulated sugar.
- Vanilla instant pudding – Just the powder, do not make the pudding.
- Cool Whip – You can also use homemade whipped cream, if preferred.
- Toasted coconut – Lightly toasted coconut flakes finish the dessert.
How to Make Pineapple Lush
There are 5 really easy steps to make this no bake dessert. Here’s a summary:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements, and don’t miss the video below.)
- Graham cracker crust. Blend graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground; add in melted butter and blend until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 dish.
- Cream cheese filling. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined and fluffy; then add in the crushed pineapple including its juices, the powdered sugar, and vanilla pudding powder. Beat until completely combined and slightly thickened. Spread evenly over the Graham cracker layer.
- Cool Whip Topping. Spread thawed Cool Whip topping evenly over the pineapple layer.
- Chill. Refrigerate until completely chilled and set, overnight (or at least 4 hours.)
- Toasted coconut. Sprinkle the toasted coconut on top, cut into squares, and serve!
Video: How to Make Pineapple Lush Dessert
Proper Storage
This 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 pineapple filling tends to get watery.
More Pineapple Recipes:
- Air Fryer Pineapple
- Pineapple Sunrise Mimosas
- Pineapple Fritter Rings
- Refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad
- Super Easy Pineapple Dip
- Pineapple Smoothie
- Pineapple Upside Down Foil Packets
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, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
No-Bake Pineapple Lush Dessert
Ingredients
- 16 whole sheets honey Graham crackers
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter , melted
- 8 ounce brick cream cheese , softened
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple , undrained
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3.4 ounce box vanilla instant pudding (just the powder)
- 8 ounce tub Cool Whip topping , thawed
- 1/2 cup lightly toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Blend the Graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground (your should end up with 2 & 1/2 cups of fine crumbs); add in the melted butter and blend until well combined and moist. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, so it's packed.
- In a large bowl beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy, then add in the crushed pineapple including its juices, the powdered sugar, and vanilla pudding powder. Beat until completely combined and slightly thickened. Spread evenly over the Graham cracker layer.
- Spread Cool Whip topping evenly over the pineapple layer.
- Refrigerate until completely chilled and set, overnight (or at least 4 hours)
- Sprinkle the toasted coconut on top, cut into squares, and serve!
Can u put cool whip on the next day when ready to eat
Yes, the top Cool Whip layer can be spread on right before serving, if you prefer…although curious why you’d want to do that?
Do you use crushed pineapple in pineapple juice or heavy syrup?
Is it the small box pudding or large?
I have seen some do a “Banana Split” version–with or without a crust–can also be layered in a parfait /truffle dish\bowl with slices of bananas & sliced strawberries & drizzle of chocolate syrup; all the flavors of a banana split. :-) Personally, I like Pina Coladas & add coconut to most such things pineapple. but ALL things CHILLED are ideal right now!
Made this and my family loved it. Only change I made was using shortbread crumbs in place of the crackers.
I used low fat cream cheese and fresh whipped cream- Such a great dessert!
Could you use another fruit?
SO GOOD!! I’ve made this half a dozen times.
I made this but used coconut cream instant pudding instead of vanilla. It paired perfectly with the pineapple.
Looks so good! Can’t wait to try it!
I made this….family loved it…nice easy cool fresh dessert. Light and flavorful!
I replaced the graham crackers with vanilla wafer cookies because I had half a box to use up. LOVED THIS.
Pineapple means summer!! Love that I didn’t have to turn on the oven this hot Missouri summer to make this!
I live in the south, so no bake desserts are life blood in the summer. This was everything I’d hoped for and more. Thanks for sharing!
We love pineapple and buy whole while in season. Some recipes, like this one, call for canned, but is so good either way. Love deserts that fill a 9 x 13 dish.
My god this was DELICIOUS!! Thank you for sharing!!
I make a banana split lush, so I knew we’d love this one. And we did! Might try making my own crushed pineapple when it’s in season.
I think pineapple, like other sharp flavors, is an acquired taste, which doesn’t occur until the teens hit. I know I wasn’t a fan of tart flavors like this until then. Also, I like sugar less than I used to as a kid.
IIRC, there’s some science that backs this up.
This does look yummy.
I’ve made something like this added bananas after the Graham cracker or vanilla crust.just layer 3 to 4 bananas then mix 3 1/2 cups of milk mixed with 2 boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix. Layer. Then drained can of pineapple crushed on that .then cool whip. Yum