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Easy No-Bake Pineapple Lush Dessert

Easy no-bake pineapple lush dessert with coconut is a wonderful and refreshing treat that is not only easy to make but budget-friendly and perfect for spring and summer.

The lush recipe features graham cracker crumbs smothered in butter and topped with fresh pineapple, fluffy whipped cream topping, and plenty of coconut.

Just Like A Pina Colada

Pineapple lush on a blue and white plate

If you love piña coladas, you will love this recipe. The creamy summer dessert fresh, perfect for family gatherings, and is an easy recipe.

The no bake dessert recipe is a dreamy pineapple delight. It’s similar to what people call a dessert lasagna with the layers.

Plus, it’s one of those beautiful desserts that people love to see at parties.

Growing Pineapples

A couple of years ago, our former neighbor gave us the crown of a pineapple and my husband, John, decided to plant it in the backyard.

Much to our happiness, the pineapple grew and John continued to plant more. On occasion, he’d replant a pineapple and the top would grow two more!

You can see in the pictures below that the pineapples grow out of the top of the plant. We have a couple planted in planters on the back patio, and some in the backyard.

Check out John’s YouTube video on How to Grow Pineapples at Home

Watch How To Make The No Bake Pineapple Cream Dessert

How Long Does it Take To Grow a Pineapple?

Pineapples take about one year to grow and the leaves grow dark green, are thick, and can be sharp on the edges. They are almost serrated on the edges. We’ve learned that little critters, like rabbits running through the yard, like two chew on the leaves.

The pineapple also goes through several different colors before turning yellow and ripening.

When planting pineapples, the first plant will grow one pineapple, and when you plant the top of the pineapple, sometimes the next plant will grow two!

Pineapple growing on a plant

The pineapple pictured above is now ready to pick and eat.

Pineapples growing on a plant in a pot

Two pineapples grew out of this planter from one crown.

A pineapple sitting on top of a cutting board

The pineapple is ripe and ready to eat!

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Pineapple Lush Dessert?

(Full recipe and printable instructions listen at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.)

  • Cream cheese
  • Whipped topping
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Powdered sugar
  • Shredded coconut
  • Chopped Pecans
  • Graham crackers
  • Butter
Pineapple lush on a white plate with a casserole dish, pineapple top, and silverware on a counter

How To Make No-Bake Pineapple Dessert?

  1. Crush the graham crackers in a bag, measure them out, and pour them into a greased 8″ x 8″ casserole dish.
  2. Pour the melted butter into the dish and mix with the graham crackers until they are covered, and press into the bottom of the baking dish.
  3. In a medium-sized bowl, add the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar, and mix until well combined and creamy.
  4. Add the crushed pineapple, whipped topping, and half of the coconut and mix well. Spread over the top of the buttery graham cracker crust.
  5. Top with cubed pineapple, the other half of the shredded coconut, and the chopped pecans.
  6. Refrigerate the easy no-bake pineapple lush dessert for several hours to firm up.
Pineapple lush on a white plate with a casserole dish

Step-By-Step Instructions for Making No-Bake Pineapple Lush Dessert

Cut up pineapple on a wooden cutting board

Start by cutting off the pineapple crown and skin.

Chunks of cut pineapple on a cutting board

Cut the pineapple into small pieces so you have some chunks for the top of the dessert. Next, crush some pineapple to add to the cream cheese mixture and set aside.

Graham crackers crushed and pressed into a casserole dish

Crush the graham crackers and place them into an 8″ x 8″ casserole dish.

Melt the butter and pour it into the dish and make sure all of the graham crackers are covered, and then press them into the bottom of the pan.

Cream cheese and powdered sugar in a glass bowl

In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar and mix together until creamy with an electric mixer or in a stand mixer.

Crushed pineapple, cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar mixed up in a bowl

Add half of the whipped cream, crushed pineapple, and the shredded coconut and mix well.

Pineapple lush in a casserole dish with chunks of pineapple on top

Spread the cream cheese mixture into the pan on top of the graham crackers.

Place the pineapple chunks on top.

Pineapple lush dessert in a casserole dish

Finally, sprinkle the chopped pecans and the remainder of the shredded coconut on top and refrigerate for several hours to help firm it up.

Pineapple lush on a blue and white plate with a casserole dish

Optional Ingredients

  • Maraschino cherries
  • Walnuts
  • Vanilla wafers for the crust instead of graham crackers.
  • Fresh berries

How To Store No Bake Pineapple Lush

Store the dessert in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Tips for Growing Pineapples:

  • Pineapples grow best in warm environments
  • Thailand grows most of the pineapples in the world.
  • Pineapples grow in the ground (and little critters love them), or you can use a large planter.
  • To grow a pineapple, you must plant the crown of the pineapple.
  • Pineapples take at least one year to grow and ripen, sometimes even longer!
  • Pineapples are a pretty hearty plant but are susceptible to scales–or a bug–and the best solution for getting rid of them is a little bit of dish soap and some water. The bugs suck the nectar out of the plant and the leaves, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as you spot them.
  • Water them about three times a week and fertilize every couple of months.

More Delicious Desserts

Pineapple lush on a white plate with a casserole dish

Be sure to get a copy of the easy pineapple dessert recipe below. This is a great make-ahead dessert that is perfect for any time of year.

Pineapple lush on a blue and white plate with a casserole dish

Easy No-Bake Pineapple Lush Dessert

Yield: 9
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Easy no-bake pineapple lush dessert with coconut is a wonderful and refreshing treat that is not only easy to make, but budget-friendly. 

Ingredients

Lush

  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz. whipped topping
  • 1 pineapple (1/2 chunks and 1/2 crushed) OR 8 oz. crushed and 8 oz. canned cubed pineapple
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/8 + 1/8 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Crust

  • 1-1/2 cups graham crackers, crushed (about one sleeve)
  • 1 stick butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Crush the graham crackers and add to an 8" x 8" casserole dish.
  2. Add the melted butter to the graham crackers, mix, and press into the dish.
  3. In a large bowl, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and mix until creamy.
  4. Add the crushed pineapple, whipped, topping, and half of the coconut and mix well. Spread over the graham crackers.
  5. Top with the cubed pineapple, chopped pecans, and the remainder of the shredded coconut.
  6. Refrigerate for at least four hours.

Notes

You can crush the graham crackers in a ziplock bag or a food processor.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 514Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 255mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 4gSugar: 44gProtein: 5g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

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I made it today. It was easy and very yummy. My husband loved it. Thank you for sharing

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Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing that.

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