No Bake Turtle Lush Recipe
No Bake Turtle Lush is a decadent layered dessert featuring a crunchy Oreo cookie crust, a creamy sweetened cream cheese layer, smooth chocolate pudding, and a luscious topping of caramel sauce, chocolate drizzle, and crunchy pecans. This easy-to-make treat requires no baking and is perfect for indulgent gatherings or a delightful family dessert.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Crust
- 30 crushed Oreo cookies (regular or gluten-free)
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), gently folded
Chocolate Layer
- 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Toppings
- Caramel sauce (about ½ cup), for drizzling
- Chocolate syrup (about ¼ cup), for drizzling
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Optional Additions
- Whipped cream for extra fluffiness
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips for added texture
- A pinch of sea salt for contrast to sweetness
- Prepare the Oreo Crust: Blend the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor until uniform. Mix the crumbs thoroughly with melted butter until the mixture holds together when pressed. Firmly press this mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form an even crust. Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill and set while preparing the next layers.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping with a spatula to maintain a light and airy texture. Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled Oreo crust, smoothing the top for an even layer.
- Whisk Up the Chocolate Pudding: In another bowl, combine the instant chocolate pudding mix with cold milk. Whisk thoroughly until the pudding thickens to a smooth consistency. Spread the thickened chocolate pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer in the dish.
- Top with Caramel and Pecans: Generously drizzle caramel sauce and chocolate syrup over the chocolate pudding layer to create a rich, decorative top. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly to add a crunchy texture. Optionally, add dollops of whipped cream and scatter mini chocolate chips, then sprinkle a pinch of sea salt if using, to enhance flavor contrasts.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the dessert for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow all layers to set and meld together. Once chilled, cut into squares and serve chilled for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Use gluten-free Oreos for a gluten-free version of this dessert.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing and a smooth filling.
- For extra richness, use full-fat cream cheese and whole milk.
- The dessert tastes best when chilled overnight to allow flavors to meld.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt to balance the sweetness if desired.
- Mini chocolate chips add delightful texture and chocolate bursts in every bite.
Keywords: No Bake Dessert, Turtle Lush, Oreo Crust Dessert, Cream Cheese Dessert, Chocolate Pudding Dessert, Caramel Pecan Dessert, Easy No Bake, Layered Dessert