Description
Cool “Pina Colada Lush” dessert whisks Caribbean paradise onto your plate with creamy pineapple and coconut layers. Smooth spoons of tropical bliss promise sweet memories and delightful indulgence you’ll savor to the last dreamy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (354.88 ml) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup (236.59 ml) crushed pineapple
- 8 ounces (226.80 grams) cream cheese
- 4 ounces (113.40 grams) whipped topping
Crust and Sweeteners:
- ¼ cup (59.15 ml) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons (89.87 ml) unsalted butter
- 1 box (3.4 ounces/96.39 grams) instant coconut pudding mix
Toppings and Extras:
- 1 cup (236.59 ml) milk
- ½ cup (118.29 ml) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (118.29 ml) toasted coconut
- Maraschino cherries (optional)
Instructions
- Transform graham crackers into a fine, sandy texture by pulverizing them thoroughly, then amalgamate with melted butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a cohesive consistency.
- Compress the crumbly foundation meticulously into an 8×8-inch glass vessel, ensuring an even, compact layer that will serve as the dessert’s structural base.
- Whip cream cheese with whipped topping, powdered sugar, and well-drained pineapple fragments until the mixture becomes silky smooth and completely integrated.
- Delicately distribute the cream cheese blend across the graham cracker foundation, creating a uniform layer that blankets the crust entirely.
- Combine coconut pudding powder with milk, whisking until the mixture reaches a velvety consistency, then fold in the remaining pineapple fragments for added texture and flavor.
- Allow the pudding mixture to slightly thicken for a few moments, then carefully spread it over the cream cheese stratum, maintaining a level surface.
- Crown the dessert with the remaining whipped topping, ensuring complete coverage of the pudding layer.
- Embellish the top with a delicate sprinkle of toasted coconut, adding a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of four hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
- Before serving, optionally adorn with vibrant maraschino cherries for a festive and classic tropical presentation.
Notes
- Crush graham crackers thoroughly to create a uniform, compact base that holds together when sliced.
- Add extra butter to the crust mixture if it seems too dry, ensuring it compacts well in the baking dish.
- Toast coconut flakes in a dry skillet for deeper, nuttier flavor before sprinkling on top for enhanced texture and taste.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham crackers with gluten-free cookie cr
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg