Description

Lemon Lush Dessert Shooters are a delightful, layered no-bake treat perfect for parties and gatherings. Featuring a crunchy walnut and flour crust, a creamy cream cheese filling, tangy lemon pudding, and a fluffy Cool Whip topping, these individual shooters deliver a refreshing burst of lemon flavor in every bite. This easy-to-make dessert requires no baking and can be prepared in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal sweet treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
4 Tablespoons butter (melted)

Cream Cheese Filling

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup confectioners sugar
8 oz Cool Whip (thawed, divided)

Lemon Pudding Layer

2 boxes instant lemon pudding (3.4 oz each)
3 cups milk

Garnish

2 Tablespoons additional chopped walnuts (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Shot Glasses: Set out 24 2 oz shot glasses to assemble the dessert shooters.
Make Crust Mixture: In a food processor, combine finely chopped walnuts, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. Pulse until the mixture is well combined and crumbly.
Press Crust: Press about 1 teaspoon of the crust mixture into the bottom of each shot glass to form the base layer.
Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add confectioners sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed for even mixing. Add 1 cup of the thawed Cool Whip and continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Pipe Cream Cheese Layer: Transfer the cream cheese filling into a quart-sized zip-top bag and snip a 1-inch hole in one corner. Pipe an even layer of the cream cheese filling over the crust layer in each shot glass.
Prepare Lemon Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant lemon pudding mixes and milk for about 3 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Pipe Pudding Layer: Pour the pudding mixture into a gallon-sized zip-top bag and cut a 1-inch hole in the corner. Pipe an even layer of pudding over the cream cheese filling in each shot glass.
Top with Cool Whip: Place the remaining Cool Whip into a quart-sized zip-top bag and cut a 1-inch hole in one corner. Pipe the Cool Whip evenly on top of the pudding layer.
Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle the top with additional chopped walnuts for garnish if desired.
Chill: Keep the shooters refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

Make sure to use softened cream cheese for a smooth filling texture.
Chilling the dessert shooters helps the layers set and enhances the flavors.
You can prepare these dessert shooters a few hours ahead to save time before your event.
Substitute nuts for a nut-free option if allergic, though the flavor and texture will differ.
Using zip-top bags for piping layers helps achieve neat, clean layers without extra tools.