Decadent Butterfinger Lush: A Cool and Creamy Dessert Dream
Dessert lovers, get ready for an indulgent treat that combines rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a delightful crunch—meet the Butterfinger Lush! This dessert is everything you could ask for in a sweet: it’s creamy, crunchy, cool, and totally irresistible. The layers of flavor and texture come together in a way that makes each bite a truly heavenly experience. With a simple combination of ingredients and minimal prep time, this Butterfinger Chocolate and Peanut Butter Lush will quickly become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, holiday party, or just because you deserve something sweet, this dessert is sure to steal the spotlight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes (prep only)
- Yield: 18 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, No-Bake Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Layering
- Cuisine: American, Sweet Treats
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 32 Oreo Cookies: These cookies form the foundation of the dessert with a sweet, chocolaty, and crumbly crust. They add the perfect contrast to the creamy layers that follow.
- 5 Tablespoons Butter (melted): This ingredient binds the crushed Oreos together to form the crust, giving it richness and a buttery flavor.
- 1 (8-ounce) Package Cream Cheese (softened): The cream cheese creates the smooth, velvety texture of the peanut butter layer, while adding a mild tanginess that balances the sweetness of the dessert.
- 1 Cup Confectioners’ Sugar: This sweetens the cream cheese mixture, making it indulgent without being overpowering.
- 3/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the dessert, the peanut butter layer brings in a creamy, nutty flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate and Butterfinger candy.
- 1 Bag Mini Butterfingers: Crushed into the peanut butter layer and used as a topping, these mini Butterfingers deliver the signature crunch and flavor that gives the dessert its name.
- 1 (16-ounce) Container Cool Whip (divided): Cool Whip adds a light, airy texture to the dessert. It’s spread on top of the peanut butter and pudding layers to create a smooth and fluffy topping.
- 1 (5.9-ounce) Box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: The chocolate pudding layer is smooth, creamy, and chocolatey, creating a perfect contrast to the peanut butter layer.
- 2 Cups Milk: The milk is needed to prepare the chocolate pudding mix, giving it the right consistency and a creamy texture.
Instructions
- Prepare the Oreo Crust: Begin by crushing the Oreo cookies. You can place them in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin, or use a food processor for a finer texture. Once they’re crushed into crumbs, place them in a medium-sized bowl and mix with the melted butter. Stir until the mixture is well combined and moist. Then, transfer it to a 9×13-inch baking dish, pressing it down evenly to form the crust. Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the other layers.
- Make the Peanut Butter Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, continuing to mix until everything is well combined. Next, beat in the creamy peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip and 6 crushed mini Butterfingers. The peanut butter mixture will be thick and rich, with little bits of candy for that extra crunch. Spread this mixture evenly over the Oreo crust, pressing it down slightly to ensure it sticks.
- Prepare the Chocolate Pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and milk. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes to thicken before pouring it evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Top with Cool Whip: Once the pudding layer is set, spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the chocolate pudding layer. This will create a fluffy, light topping that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the other layers.
- Garnish with Butterfingers: Finally, crush the remaining mini Butterfingers and sprinkle them generously over the Cool Whip layer. The crushed Butterfingers add both flavor and texture, creating that satisfying crunch with every bite.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Butterfinger Lush for at least 2 hours before serving. The layers will set, and the dessert will become firm and easier to slice into bars. For best results, you can refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to serve, slice it into 18 squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Crust: If you’re not a fan of Oreos, you can substitute with graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or even chocolate chip cookies for a different flavor base.
- Peanut Butter: If you’re allergic to peanuts or prefer a different nut butter, feel free to swap the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter.
- Butterfingers: While Butterfingers are the signature candy for this dessert, you could try using other candies like Snickers, Milky Way, or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for a different twist on the recipe.
- Pudding Flavor: Switch up the chocolate pudding with butterscotch or vanilla pudding for a fun variation of the dessert.
- Cool Whip: For a more homemade touch, you can make your own whipped cream by whipping heavy cream with a little sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.