I am a fan of cold cakes. For one, cold cakes are easier to make than the usual sponge cakes. And two, cold cakes are needed to be served chilled because it’s made of the creamiest layers. I just really love the taste of cream in my mouth. It’s like eating ice cream and cake at the same time, but without the feeling of being extra full.
Our friend Brenda Score from The Pioneer Woman has this to say about this recipe:
“If you’re looking for a recipe that works extra well to make the day before, this layered chocolate pudding dessert is a great one. I actually prefer to make it in advance, as the extra time in the refrigerator allows the whole pan to chill thoroughly and firm up. Just make sure that the pan can remain chilled until it’s ready to serve!”
You’re a lifesaver, Brenda! Thank you for sharing this recipe to us. I’m the queen of impromptu get-togethers and creating last-minute desserts is my usual problem that you just solved. This recipe is a winner dessert recipe!
Ingredients
FOR THE SALTED PECAN CRUST:
1-1/2 cup Gold Medal All-purpose Flour
1/2 cup Packed Domino Brown Sugar
3/4 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1/3 cup Finely Chopped Pecans
9 Tablespoons Cold Kerrygold Unsalted Butter
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE LAYER:
12 ounces, weight Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Softened
1-1/2 cup Domino Powdered Sugar
12 ounces, weight Cool Whip, Divided (1 1/2 Cups For Cream Cheese Layer, Remaining For Cool Whip Layer)
FOR THE CHOCOLATE PUDDING LAYER:
2 boxes (3.9 Oz. Size) Jell-o Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
4 cups Cold Borden Whole Milk
FOR THE COOL WHIP LAYER:
Remaining Cool Whip From Cream Cheese Layer
2 ounces, weight Shaved Dark Chocolate From A Hershey’s Bar
Instructions
For the salted pecan crust:
Preheat oven to 325° F.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, salt, and pecans. Cut in butter with a rigid pastry cutter or a fork until crumbly. Press mixture evenly onto bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until crust is set and slightly browned. It should smell nice and toasty, buttery and nutty. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.
For the cream cheese layer:
With a blender, whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until completely smooth. With a rubber spatula, fold in 1-1/2 cups of Cool Whip from the 12-ounce container until combined. Spread mixture onto cooled crust. Refrigerate while preparing the next layer.
For the chocolate pudding layer:
In a medium bowl, whisk pudding with milk for 2 minutes. Pudding will become more and more thick as you whisk. Spread pudding evenly over cream cheese layer.
For the Cool Whip layer:
Evenly spread remaining Cool Whip from the 12-ounce container over chocolate pudding layer. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate. (I use a vegetable peeler, running it down the sides of a chocolate bar.) Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours or overnight before serving.
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Quick Tip: Always serve this dessert chilled.
Thanks again to The Pioneer Woman for this amazing recipe.