The Ultimate No-Bake Butterfinger Lush: A Decadent, Easy Dessert!

June 18, 2025

Welcome to Clara's Recipes, where we celebrate delicious food that's easy to make and even easier to enjoy! Today, we're diving into a dessert that's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser: the No-Bake Butterfinger Lush. This spectacular layered treat brings together a delightful combination of textures and flavors, from a crunchy cookie crust to creamy, dreamy fillings, all topped with your favorite crisp, peanut-buttery candy.

If you're looking for a dessert that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum impact, you've found it. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or just a sweet indulgence after a long day, this Butterfinger Lush recipe is so simple to assemble, even beginner bakers will feel like pros. No oven required, just a bit of chilling time and a whole lot of delicious anticipation!

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love This No-Bake Butterfinger Lush

This isn't just another no-bake dessert; it's a symphony of flavors and textures designed to delight. Here's why this Butterfinger Lush will become a go-to in your recipe collection:

Effortlessly Easy: With no baking involved, most of the work is simply mixing and layering. It's perfect for warm weather or when you need a fantastic dessert without heating up your kitchen.
Decadent Layers: Each forkful offers a journey through a crunchy chocolate cookie crust, a tangy-sweet cream cheese layer, smooth vanilla and chocolate puddings, and a generous sprinkle of crushed Butterfinger candy.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This dessert needs time to chill and set, making it an ideal candidate for preparing a day in advance. This frees up your time when you're hosting!
Crowd-Pleaser: Who can resist the appeal of Butterfinger candy? This dessert is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, offering a nostalgic and incredibly satisfying flavor profile.

Ready to whip up this amazing treat? Let's get to the recipe!

Ingredients You'll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this layered masterpiece. You'll find most of these staples readily available at your local grocery store.

For the Crust:
24 chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
8 ounces thawed whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
For the Pudding Layer:
One 3.4-ounce package vanilla instant pudding mix
One 3.4-ounce package chocolate instant pudding mix
2¾ cups cold milk
For the Topping:
Remaining 8 ounces thawed whipped topping
1 cup crushed Butterfinger candy bars

Expert Tips for Success

While this recipe is straightforward, a few tips can elevate your No-Bake Butterfinger Lush from great to absolutely unforgettable:

Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. This will help you achieve a silky-smooth, lump-free cream cheese layer.
Chill Between Layers: Though the recipe specifies a main chilling time, a quick 10-15 minute chill after the crust and cream cheese layers can help them set slightly, preventing layers from mixing when you add the next.
Cold Milk for Pudding: Always use very cold milk for instant pudding. This helps it set quickly and properly.
Gentle Folding: When incorporating the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, fold gently to maintain its airiness. This keeps the layer light and fluffy.
Crushing Candy: For the best texture, don't crush the Butterfinger candy into a fine powder. Small, irregular chunks provide the most satisfying crunch. You can learn more about the iconic Butterfinger candy bar and its history.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This lush is best served chilled. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts for perfectly neat slices. You can garnish individual servings with extra Butterfinger crumbs or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. While it can be frozen for longer storage (up to 2 weeks), the texture of the whipped topping and crust may change slightly upon thawing. Thaw frozen lush in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

More No-Bake Delights and Layered Desserts

If you loved this No-Bake Butterfinger Lush, you're in for a treat! We have a fantastic collection of easy, no-bake, and layered desserts that are perfect for any occasion. For another fruity, creamy treat, be sure to check out our Fresh & Creamy Apple Salad, which brings a refreshing twist to dessert salads. Or, if you're a fan of citrus and cake, our Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake is another light and flavorful option that's incredibly simple to prepare.

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FAQs

Can I make this Butterfinger lush dessert gluten-free?

Yes, absolutely! To make this dessert gluten-free, simply substitute the chocolate sandwich cookies with a certified gluten-free alternative for the crust. Also, ensure that the instant pudding mixes you use are confirmed to be gluten-free.

What is the best way to crush Butterfinger candy bars evenly?

For the best results, place the Butterfinger candy bars in a sturdy, sealed plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to gently tap and crush them into small, even pieces. Aim for small chunks rather than a fine powder to retain that signature Butterfinger crunch in your lush.

How far in advance can I prepare this No-Bake Butterfinger Lush?

This dessert is fantastic for making ahead! You can fully assemble the No-Bake Butterfinger Lush up to 24 hours in advance. Just be sure to keep it covered and refrigerated. If you want the Butterfinger topping to have maximum crunch, you can add it just before serving.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of store-bought whipped topping?

Yes, homemade whipped cream works beautifully! For a stable whipped cream, combine 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. For extra stability, you can add about 1 teaspoon of cornstarch before whipping.