ZOMG!!! This recipe!!! This is one of those things that just came together perfectly the first time I made it. I had never even heard the term 'lush' applied to a dessert before recently, but when I did, I knew I had to try making one.
A lush dessert is a layered dessert with graham cracker or cookie crust, an unbaked cheesecake layer, some type of pudding, and whipped cream. It's also known as a dessert lasagna or a layered pudding dessert.
I had never seen anyone make a keto lush dessert, so I decided to throw my hat in. I decided the ideal combo would be keto-friendly strawberries, with a cheesecake pudding layer (vanilla would work too, but I had cheesecake pudding on hand) on top of the cheesecake layer, on top of a shortbread cookie layer. The roasted pecans on top added a nice crunch along with the freshly ground nutmeg to give it a subtle spicy finish. Everyone loved it so much that it was gone the very evening I made it. :)
Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Lush Recipe
Crust Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups almond flour
- 3 tablespoons erithrytol, powdered in a spice/coffee grinder
- 20 drops liquid stevia, vanilla-flavoured
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink sea salt
Cheesecake Layer Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon gelatin powder
- 2 tablespoon warm water
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons erithrytol, powdered in a spice/coffee grinder
- 10 drops liquid stevia, vanilla-flavoured
- 1 cup keto whipped cream, divided (¼ cup, ¼ cup, ½ cup)
- 1 small box instant pudding, cheesecake-flavoured (*Vanilla pudding will also work. This stevia-sweetened one would be healthier.)
- 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon erithrytol, powdered in a spice/coffee grinder
- 1½ teaspoons lemon juice (fresh is best)
- 5 drops liquid stevia
- ¼ cup roasted pecans, chopped
- Ground nutmeg, (freshly grated if possible) or cardamom powder (for garnish)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Melt the butter in the microwave or a small saucepan. Add the almond flour, sweetener, salt and vanilla extract, stirring until fully combined. Press into the base of a 2-quart casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool fully.
In a small mixing bowl, stir together warm water and powdered gelatin with a fork. Set aside and allow to bloom.
In a medium mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and powdered erithrytol. Fold in ¼ cup whipped cream until fully incorporated. Spread evenly over cooled crust.
Stir together cheesecake pudding mix and almond milk. Fold in ¼ cup whipped cream until fully incorporated. Spread evenly over cream cheese layer in pan.
Toss sliced strawberries with powdered eritrytol, lemon juice, 5 drops liquid stevia and gelatin mix. Spread evenly over pudding layer.
Top strawberry layer with remaining whipped cream. Grate nutmeg or sprinkle cardamom powder directly over top the whole dessert. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top then serve.
Have you ever tried making a lush dessert before? What did you think of this keto strawberry cheesecake lush? Please share your thoughts in the comments. Or if you share pics on Instagram, tag me so I can see your creation. Enjoy! I know we did. :)
