No Bake Butterfinger Lush is a decadent, layered dessert that combines rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter and crunchy Butterfinger candy. This no bake treat delivers bold flavour and texture without turning on the oven, making it perfect for parties or potlucks. With a crisp cookie crust, smooth cream cheese peanut butter layer, chocolate pudding middle and whipped topping crowned by chopped Butterfingers, each bite is a delightful indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it’s incredibly simple to assemble yet impressively decadent. All the layers come together without baking, and the combination of chocolate, peanut butter and crisp candy is irresistibly good. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, the textures and flavours here hit the sweet spot: crunchy cookie crust, velvety peanut butter cream, lush chocolate pudding, soft whipped topping and crisp candy on top. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure.
Ingredients
- 30 chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, melted
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar
- 4 cups whipped topping (eg. Cool Whip), divided
- 1 box (5.1 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 6 mini Butterfinger candy bars, chopped
Step by Step: How to Make Butterfinger Lush
- In a food processor (or by crushing in a plastic bag with a rolling pin) crush the 30 cookies until fine crumbs form.
- In a bowl, mix the cookie crumbs with the melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×9 inch baking dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Fold 2 cups of the whipped topping into the cream cheese peanut butter mixture. Spread this mixture evenly over the prepared cookie crust.
- In another bowl whisk together the instant pudding mix and the 2 cups of milk until smooth (and it begins to set). Spread this pudding layer carefully and evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Spread the remaining 2 cups of whipped topping over the pudding layer.
- Chop the mini Butterfinger bars and sprinkle them over the very top of the dessert.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 2 hours (or until set) before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your peanut butter layer.
- Use instant pudding mix (not cook and serve) so the dessert sets properly.
- Press the crust firmly into the dish so it stays together when you cut and serve.
- For uniform slices, chill thoroughly until the dessert is well set.
- If you crush the Butterfinger bars while still in the wrapper (by lightly tapping or rolling) you’ll have less mess.
Substitutions And Variations
- Cookie crust: You can use a different cookie base — e.g., chocolate peanut butter cookies, peanut butter cookies, or even gluten free sandwich cookies.
- Peanut butter: If you prefer a crunchier texture, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
- Whipped topping: You could substitute homemade whipped cream (lightly sweetened) in place of store bought whipped topping for a fresher flavour.
- Candy topping: Instead of Butterfinger, you might swap with chopped Snickers, KitKats, or other favourite candy bars for variation.
- Pan size: If you use a larger dish (such as 9×13 inch) you’ll end up with thinner layers (or you can double the recipe for the same thickness).
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze the dish, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months; thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving. Note: texture may change slightly upon thawing.
Nutritional Information
Here’s an approximate estimate (per serving if the dish is cut into about 9 pieces):
- Calories: ~700 kcal
- The dessert is rich in fat (thanks to cream cheese, peanut butter, butter, whipped topping) and sugar (cookies, pudding mix, powdered sugar, candy).
If you need more precise macros (carbs, protein, fat) consider inputting all brand specific ingredients into a nutrition calculator.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled straight from the fridge for best texture.
- Garnish each slice with a little extra chopped Butterfinger on the plate for visual flair.
- Provide coffee or milk alongside — this dessert is rich and pairs nicely with a cold glass of milk or a strong coffee.
- For a gathering, cut into small squares (bite size) so guests can enjoy a taste without it being too heavy.
- You could also present it in a trifle-style bowl (layered) if you prefer a more elegant presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterfinger Lush
Do I need to remove the cream filling from the Oreos for the crust?
No, you don’t need to remove the cream from the cookies before crushing. Many recipes use the whole cookie (cream included) for the crust, so it adds flavour and helps hold the crust together.
What if I can’t find mini Butterfinger bars?
You can use standard Butterfinger bars and chop them into smaller pieces yourself — aim for the same total weight. The chopped candy is sprinkled into the layer and on top.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — in fact making it ahead (even the night before) helps the layers set and the flavours meld. Just keep it covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
What if I use cook and serve pudding mix instead of instant?
That is not recommended — cook and serve pudding requires heating and won’t set properly in this no bake layered dessert. Make sure you buy the instant (ready to mix) version.
Can I halve the recipe or use a different size pan?
Yes — you can adjust the quantities and use an 8×8 or 9×9 inch dish for a smaller batch. If you use a larger pan (9×13) with the same recipe, the layers will be thinner, so you might consider doubling the recipe for thicker layers.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for choosing this No Bake Butterfinger Lush recipe — I hope you enjoy making it as much as you enjoy eating it! It’s one of my favourite dessert treats: easy to assemble, no oven required, and bursting with flavour in every layer. I hope it becomes a go to for your gatherings, celebrations or just an indulgent sweet moment. Enjoy the rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, crisp candy and cool whipped topping. Happy cooking and thank you for being part of this food loving community!
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No Bake Butterfinger Lush
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes chill time)
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
No Bake Butterfinger Lush is a creamy, layered dessert made with chocolate cookies, peanut butter, pudding, and candy. No oven required, just chill and serve!
Ingredients
30 chocolate sandwich cookies
½ cup butter, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
4 cups whipped topping, divided
1 box (5.1 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
6 mini Butterfingers, chopped
Instructions
- In a food processor (or by crushing in a plastic bag with a rolling pin) crush the 30 cookies until fine crumbs form.
- In a bowl, mix the cookie crumbs with the melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×9 inch baking dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Fold 2 cups of the whipped topping into the cream cheese peanut butter mixture. Spread this mixture evenly over the prepared cookie crust.
- In another bowl whisk together the instant pudding mix and the 2 cups of milk until smooth (and it begins to set). Spread this pudding layer carefully and evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Spread the remaining 2 cups of whipped topping over the pudding layer.
- Chop the mini Butterfinger bars and sprinkle them over the very top of the dessert.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 2 hours (or until set) before serving.
Notes
Use any peanut butter cookie or chocolate peanut butter cookie for the crust. Chill well before slicing. Store covered in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 36 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Protein: 8 g