Black Forest Lush – I love layered lush desserts. If for no other reason, but the fact that they’re well, luscious. When it comes to flavor combinations, my imagination knows no end. You’ll be seeing more lush desserts coming from my kitchen. They’re perfect for serving at family, office or potluck gatherings as well as the holidays. Any event where decadent desserts are in order.
I’ve had this black forest lush recipe in my draft folder for quite a while and decided it was time for it to come to life. This black forest version starts with a rich brownie-like crust, then a sweet whipped cream cheese layer. Top the cream cheese layer with cherry pie filling then a layer of chocolate fudge pudding. Over the pudding slather the top with plenty of whipped cream. Make this decadent dessert one day in advance and prepare for the “oohs” and “aahs” when you serve it.
Ingredients you’ll need:
3 1/2 cup Oreo cookie crumbs, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted [1 stick]
2 [8] oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3 [8] oz cool whip or the equivalent of fresh whipped cream
2 [18] oz cans cherry pie filling
2 [3.4] oz instant chocolate fudge pudding
3 cup cold whole milk or half & half
1/4 tsp pure almond extract
grated chocolate
marachino cherries for garnishing
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spritz the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sift together the 3 1/4 cups of Oreo cookie crumbs with the melted butter. Press firmly onto the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Cool completely.
Whip together 2 softened cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar for 2 minutes or until fluffy and smooth. Whip in [1] 8 oz cool whip or 2 cups sweetened fresh whipped cream. Spread evenly over the cooled crust.
Spread the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer.
Whip both packages of chocolate fudge pudding with 3 cups of cold whole milk or half & half and 1/4 tsp almond extract. Whip until thickened but still pourable. Spread over the cherries.
Spread the top with the remaining cool whip or 4 cup sweetened fresh whipped cream. Garnish with maraschino cherries, remaining crushed 1/4 cup Oreos and grated chocolate, if desired. Chill for at least 4 hours until set or overnight before cutting. Yield: 16-20 servings
- 3½ cup Oreo cookie crumbs, divided
- ½ cup butter, melted [1 stick]
- 2 [8] oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 [8] oz cool whip or the equivalent of fresh whipped cream
- 2 [18] oz cans cherry pie filling
- 2 [3.4] oz instant chocolate fudge pudding
- 3 cup cold whole milk or half & half
- ¼ tsp pure almond extract
- grated chocolate
- marachino cherries for garnishing
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spritz the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Sift together the 3¼ cups of Oreo cookie crumbs with the melted butter. Press firmly onto the bottom of the baking dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Cool completely.
- Whip together 2 softened cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar for 2 minutes or until fluffy and smooth.
- Whip in [1] 8 oz cool whip or 2 cups sweetened fresh whipped cream. Spread evenly over the cooled crust.
- Spread the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer.
- Whip both packages of chocolate fudge pudding with 3 cups of cold whole milk or half & half and ¼ tsp almond extract. Whip until thickened but still pourable. Spread over the cherries.
- Spread the top with the remaining cool whip or 4 cup sweetened fresh whipped cream.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries, remaining crushed ¼ cup Oreos and grated chocolate, if desired. Chill for at least 4 hours until set or overnight before cutting.
Oh my Melissa, this treat is a party in your mouth….airy whipped cream and chocolate pudding sprinkled with cherries…just passed the KP with a plateful and told him you can’t ruin my day no matter what after this…Thanks again! Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying it!
Hi Melissa I made this recipe for my friend potluck the flavor no doubt were amazing but my Oreo crust became really hard . Where I went wrong I followed the recipe step by step. I ll appreciate your help.
Hi Sidra, you may not have done anything wrong. It sounds to me as if your oven runs a bit hot and the crust dried out just a tad too much. In that case, you probably need to bake it for a few minutes less than what I recommend. It’s not unusual at all for ovens to vary in temperature. Keep baking, don’t give up!