Chocolate Cherry Lush

two image collage. layered dessert made with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. four layers on a white plate topped with chocolate shavings. Bottom image shows dessert in dish. center color block with text overlay.

This Chocolate Cherry Lush will quickly become a new family favorite! This dessert is so easy to make, can be made ahead of time and is perfect for holidays and parties!

Love cherry desserts? Make sure to try my Cherry Frosting and Cherry Oatmeal Crumble Bars!

Chocolate Cherry Layered Dessert

I have been dreaming of this dessert for two years now. I finally had the chance to make it and I’m kicking myself for not making it sooner. I am obsessed, OBSESSED with chocolate and cherry. Together they create the most beautiful magic in my mouth and I look for every opportunity to pair these two ingredients.

As you know, I am quite partial to my Grandma’s 4-Layer Dessert. I’ve done a peppermint version and a chocolate-caramel version that stills blows my mind ever time I think about it.

I grew up calling this a “Four Layer Dessert” but many of you know it as a lush. Because I didn’t want to freak you all out with a FIVE layer dessert, I went with Chocolate Cherry Lush for the title and lush it is!

Lush Layers

The first layer is a magnificent crust that the rest of this dessert is built upon. The foundation for greatness, really. I used pecans but I know almonds and cherry go together like bread and butter so use almonds – or any other nut – that you prefer. I’m just partial to pecans 🙂

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The second layer is cherry pie filling – use your favorite brand. My boys considered every bite that contained a cherry to be some sort of personal victory by the cheering that I heard going on while they were enjoying their dessert.

The third layer may be my favorite – cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Cool Whip. I could eat this stuff for breakfast.

The fourth layer is chocolate pudding but shoot, vanilla or whatever you’ve got on hand that you think would go well with cherries would be an excellent way to go.

The fifth layer is more Cool Whip which creates a beautiful canvas for whatever topping your heart desires: chocolate jimmies, chocolate curls, shaved chocolate, – just go with your gut on this one. I had a Hershey bar that was calling my name so yeah, that was kind of awesome.

I really don’t think you can go wrong here. And it tastes all KINDS of right. I love how easy this dessert is to make and it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for busy days. It would be beautiful for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, potluck or picnic – it’s just so darn versatile!

You can really lighten this recipe up using fat-free, sugar-free jello and lite Cool Whip.

More No Bake Desserts To Try

Banana Split Dessert

Raspberry Cheesecake

Easy No Bake Cookies

No Bake Lemon Pie

Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake

No Bake Banana Cream Pudding Cheesecake

How To Make Chocolate Cherry Lush

layered dessert made with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. four layers on a white plate topped with chocolate shavings.

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5 from 5 votes

This Chocolate Cherry Lush will quickly become a new family favorite! Easy to prepare, make it ahead of time for your chocolate and cherry loving friends and family!

Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword chocolate cherry layered dessert, chocolate cherry lush Prep Time 20 Cook Time 10 Total Time 30 Servings servings Calories 155kcal Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

First Layer

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup crushed nuts I like pecans
¼ cup sugar
8 tablespoons salted butter melted

Second Layer

21 ounces cherry pie filling 1 can

Third Layer

8 ounces cream cheese softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip 8 oz container

Fourth Layer

6.8 ounces chocolate instant pudding 2 packages
3 cups milk

Fifth Layer

Remaining Cool Whip from 8 oz container
½ cup chocolate shavings or chocolate jimmies optional

Instructions