Blackberry Lime Lush Recipe
When life gives you limes and blackberries, you make a Blackberry Lime Lush so good, you’ll be the talk of every potluck and picnic—seriously, get ready to be asked for this recipe on repeat! 🍇🍋
Presenting my recipe for Blackberry Lime Lush! The zesty flavor of fresh, tangy lime and the sweetness of blackberries make this dessert sing.
Creamy layers of softened cream cheese and vanilla pudding, a buttery graham cracker crust, and a sprinkling of powdered sugar make it refreshing, yet rich.
Ingredients
- Crushed Graham Crackers: Provide a sweet, crumbly base with carbohydrates and fiber.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and holds the crust together; source of fat.
- Cream Cheese: Creates creamy texture and tangy flavor; provides protein and fats.
- Lime Zest and Juice: Contribute fresh, tangy citrus flavor; source of vitamin C.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds creaminess and fluffiness; rich in fats.
- Fresh Blackberries: Provide natural sweetness and antioxidants; high in fiber and vitamins.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups fresh blackberries, divided
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cups cold milk
How to Make this
1. In a bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Press the mixture into the base of a 9×13-inch pan to form the crust. Chill while preparing the next layers.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the creamy cream cheese, powdered sugar, lime zest, and lime juice. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the whipping cream with an electric mixer at high speeds until stiff peaks form. Combine it with the cream cheese mixture and fold until fully incorporated. Ensure that you do this step in two parts—combine half of the whipped cream with the cream cheese mixture first; then, and only then, combine the second part.
4. Evenly sprinkle the cream cheese mix on the graham cracker crust, spreading it out with a spatula to smooth the top. Return the dish to the refrigerator to help the filling firm up.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the instant vanilla pudding and cold milk. Whisk it together until it thickens. You can prepare this ahead of time as well.
6. Evenly distribute the pudding over the cream cheese layer in the pan.
7. Distribute half of the fresh blackberries evenly over the pudding.
8. In a clean bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with the granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
9. Evenly spread the sweetened whipped cream over the blackberry layer.
10. Layer with the leftover blackberries and cool in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours before serving. Savor your delicious Blackberry Lime Lush!
Equipment Needed
1. Mixing bowls
2. 9×13-inch pan
3. Spoon or spatula
4. Whisk
5. Electric mixer
6. Measuring cups
7. Measuring spoons
FAQ
- Q: Can I use frozen blackberries instead of fresh?A: Yes, you can use blackberries that have been frozen. Thaw them and drain them well, using them promptly in your recipe, to keep moisture levels in check.
- Q: Can I substitute the graham crackers with another type of crust?Absolutely, you’re free to use crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers in place of graham crackers.
- Q: How long can the Blackberry Lime Lush be stored in the refrigerator?A: For storage in the refrigerator, it can last 3 days. Ensure either plastic wrap or a lid covers the container snugly.
- Q: Can I prepare this dessert in advance?A: Yes, it is an ideal dessert to prepare ahead of time. You can make it a day before you plan to serve it, and let it sit in the refrigerator so the flavors have time to meld.
- Q: Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?A: Yes, it is possible to utilize substitutes for whipping cream that contain no dairy, such as coconut cream, and cream cheese that is plant-based.
- Q: Can I use lemon instead of lime?A: Yes, lemon is a great substitute for lime and will provide a slightly different yet still delicious citrus flavor.
Blackberry Lime Lush Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Graham cracker crumbs: Use whichever you can find. You can also buy them pre-crushed most places that sell graham crackers, and they’re definitely more ubiquitous than whatever weird delicacy you found at the store.
Unsalted butter: Use coconut oil or margarine as a dairy-free alternative.
Cream cheese. Use Greek yogurt or mascarpone for a lighter texture.
Citrus Juice: Fresh lemon juice or orange juice can be used to give a slightly different citrus flavor.
Blackberries, fresh: If using frozen blackberries or raspberries, be sure to thaw and drain them before using.
Pro Tips
1. Freeze the Crust: Before adding the cream cheese layer, place the crust in the freezer for about 10–15 minutes. This will ensure it sets better and holds up when cutting into bars.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother and creamier texture with no lumps.
3. Stabilize the Whipped Cream: To prevent the whipped cream from deflating, you can add a teaspoon of powdered gelatin dissolved in warm water to the cream before whipping it into stiff peaks.
4. Enhance Lime Flavor: For a more intense lime flavor, add a couple of teaspoons of fresh lime juice to the instant pudding mixture. This will tie the flavors together throughout the dish.
5. Chill Overnight: For best results, let the dessert chill overnight in the refrigerator. This allows all the layers to properly set and the flavors to meld, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful dessert.
Blackberry Lime Lush Recipe
My favorite Blackberry Lime Lush Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Mixing bowls
2. 9×13-inch pan
3. Spoon or spatula
4. Whisk
5. Electric mixer
6. Measuring cups
7. Measuring spoons
Ingredients:
- 2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups fresh blackberries, divided
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cups cold milk
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Press the mixture into the base of a 9×13-inch pan to form the crust. Chill while preparing the next layers.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the creamy cream cheese, powdered sugar, lime zest, and lime juice. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the whipping cream with an electric mixer at high speeds until stiff peaks form. Combine it with the cream cheese mixture and fold until fully incorporated. Ensure that you do this step in two parts—combine half of the whipped cream with the cream cheese mixture first; then, and only then, combine the second part.
4. Evenly sprinkle the cream cheese mix on the graham cracker crust, spreading it out with a spatula to smooth the top. Return the dish to the refrigerator to help the filling firm up.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the instant vanilla pudding and cold milk. Whisk it together until it thickens. You can prepare this ahead of time as well.
6. Evenly distribute the pudding over the cream cheese layer in the pan.
7. Distribute half of the fresh blackberries evenly over the pudding.
8. In a clean bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with the granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
9. Evenly spread the sweetened whipped cream over the blackberry layer.
10. Layer with the leftover blackberries and cool in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours before serving. Savor your delicious Blackberry Lime Lush!