Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush
Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush is a delightful dessert that brings a taste of the tropics to your kitchen. It’s a layered treat filled with creamy goodness, fruity flavors, and a crunchy crust. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or just a sweet craving at home, this luscious dessert will surely impress family and friends.
Why Make This Recipe
If you are looking for a no-bake dessert that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious, Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush is the right choice. It combines sweet and tangy pineapple with creamy layers and crunchy coconut. This dessert not only tastes amazing but also looks beautiful on any table. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of Hawaii any time of the year.
How to Make Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups Vanilla Wafer Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Macadamia Nuts, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup Sweetened Flaked Coconut, divided
- 1/2 cup Butter, melted
- 2 (8 oz) packages Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 (8 oz) can Crushed Pineapple, drained
- 1 (16 oz) container Frozen Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
- 2 (3.4 oz) boxes Instant Coconut Pudding Mix
- 4 cups Whole Milk or Half & Half
- 16 Maraschino Cherries with Stems
Directions
Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium mixing bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs, macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips, 1/4 cup of flaked coconut, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool.
Toast the Coconut: Increase the oven temperature to broil. Spread the remaining flaked coconut on a baking sheet and broil for 4-5 minutes, stirring until golden brown. Cool completely.
Assemble the Layers: Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Stir in drained crushed pineapple and fold in 1/3 of the whipped topping. Spread this over the cooled crust.
Add the Pudding Layer: Whip together pudding mix and milk until thickened but pourable. Evenly pour over the cream cheese-pineapple layer.
Top it Off: Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer. Garnish with toasted coconut and maraschino cherries.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set before slicing into squares.
How to Serve Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush
Serve the Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush chilled. Cut it into squares and enjoy as a refreshing dessert. You can serve it on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
How to Store Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days. Make sure to cover it to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Tips to Make Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush
- Make sure to let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for a bit before mixing. This will make it easier to beat to a smooth consistency.
- If you want an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a few drops of coconut extract to the cream cheese filling.
- For a fun twist, try adding chopped fresh pineapple on top for garnish.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by using different flavors of pudding mix, like vanilla or chocolate. You can also swap out the macadamia nuts for other nuts like pecans or almonds, depending on your taste preference.
FAQs
1. Can I make Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush ahead of time?
Yes! This dessert is perfect for making ahead of time. Just prepare it the day before and let it chill overnight.
2. Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple works great, just make sure to finely chop and drain it before using.
3. What if I can’t find instant coconut pudding?
If you can’t find coconut pudding, you can use vanilla pudding instead. The dessert will still be delicious!
Enjoy making and sharing this Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush with your loved ones!
Print
Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Lush
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful no-bake layered dessert filled with creamy pineapple and coconut flavors, perfect for potlucks and barbecues.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups Vanilla Wafer Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Macadamia Nuts, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup Sweetened Flaked Coconut, divided
- 1/2 cup Butter, melted
- 2 (8 oz) packages Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 (8 oz) can Crushed Pineapple, drained
- 1 (16 oz) container Frozen Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
- 2 (3.4 oz) boxes Instant Coconut Pudding Mix
- 4 cups Whole Milk or Half & Half
- 16 Maraschino Cherries with Stems
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs, macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips, 1/4 cup of flaked coconut, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Allow to cool.
- Increase the oven to broil. Spread remaining flaked coconut on a baking sheet and broil for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
- Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in drained crushed pineapple and fold in 1/3 of the whipped topping. Spread over the cooled crust.
- Whip together pudding mix and milk until thickened, then pour over the cream cheese-pineapple layer.
- Spread remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer. Garnish with toasted coconut and maraschino cherries.
- Refrigerate for at least 240 minutes to set before slicing into squares.
Notes
For added flavor, consider adding coconut extract to the cream cheese filling. This dessert can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Hawaiian dessert, no-bake dessert, pineapple dessert