Chocolate Delight Recipe: Creamy Layered Dessert with Pecans Recipe

BySarah Summers
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Introduction

Creamy, dreamy, and irresistibly nostalgic, this Chocolate Delight is the perfect layered dessert for potlucks, holidays, or any sweet craving. Easy to make and absolutely crowd-pleasing, no one can stop at just one slice.

A square slice of dessert on a white plate has four distinct layers. The bottom layer is a crumbly, light brown crust with bits of nuts. Above it, there is a smooth, creamy light beige layer. The third layer is a rich, dark chocolate pudding, thick and glossy. The top layer is fluffy white whipped cream sprinkled with chopped nuts in light and dark brown shades. The background is a white marbled texture, and there is a larger dish of the same dessert blurred in the back. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided
  • Pinch of salt (skip if using salted butter)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 16 ounces whipped topping (Cool Whip), divided
  • 2 boxes (3.9 ounces each) instant chocolate pudding
  • 3 cups whole milk

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare a 13×9-inch baking dish.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, and a pinch of salt until mixture is clumpy and sticks together. A food processor can be used for easier mixing.
  3. Step 3: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until light golden brown. Remove and let cool completely.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping gently with a spatula until combined.
  5. Step 5: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust layer.
  6. Step 6: In another bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding mixes with the milk using an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes until thickened.
  7. Step 7: Spread the chocolate pudding evenly over the cream cheese layer.
  8. Step 8: Top the pudding layer with the remaining 8 ounces of whipped topping, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans over the top.
  9. Step 9: Refrigerate the dessert for 2 to 3 hours to chill and set before serving.
  10. Step 10: Serve chilled. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips & Variations

  • Use salted butter to skip adding extra salt to the crust.
  • For a nut-free version, replace pecans with crushed graham crackers or omit them entirely.
  • Try swapping instant chocolate pudding with vanilla for a different flavor twist.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps.

Storage

Store any leftover Chocolate Delight covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To serve, take it out of the fridge and enjoy as is—no reheating needed since it’s best served chilled.

How to Serve

A square dessert bar with four visible layers sits on a white plate against a white marbled texture background. The bottom layer is crumbly and light golden-brown, with a rough texture. Above it is a smooth, creamy off-white layer. Next is a thick, dark chocolate layer with a shiny, smooth surface. On top is a thick, fluffy white layer, sprinkled with chopped pecans that are light to dark brown and add a crunchy texture. In the background, a larger dish of the same layered dessert is partially visible, slightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, Chocolate Delight can be prepared a day ahead. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld and layers to set fully.

Can I use low-fat milk or a dairy-free alternative?

You can substitute whole milk with low-fat milk, almond milk, or oat milk; however, texture and taste may slightly vary. Make sure to use a compatible instant pudding mix if choosing dairy-free.

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Chocolate Delight Recipe: Creamy Layered Dessert with Pecans Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 87 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
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Description

Chocolate Delight is a creamy, dreamy, and irresistibly nostalgic layered dessert perfect for potlucks, holidays, and sweet cravings. It features a buttery pecan crust, a smooth cream cheese and whipped topping layer, rich instant chocolate pudding, and a whipped topping finish sprinkled with pecans. Easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided
  • Pinch of salt (optional if using salted butter)

Layers:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 16 ounces Whipped Topping (Cool Whip), divided
  • 2 (3.9 ounce) boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 cups whole milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F and prepare a 13×9-inch rectangular baking dish.
  2. Prepare crust mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, softened butter, 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, and a pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter). Mix until the ingredients form a clumpy, slightly sticky dough. You can use a food processor for easier mixing.
  3. Bake crust: Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust turns a light golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool completely before proceeding.
  4. Make cream cheese layer: Using a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 8 ounces of the whipped topping using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until fully combined.
  5. Assemble cream cheese layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust to form the second layer of the dessert.
  6. Prepare pudding layer: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and whole milk using an electric mixer at medium speed for about two minutes until the pudding is well combined and starts to set softly.
  7. Add pudding layer: Evenly spread the chocolate pudding over the cream cheese layer, creating the third layer.
  8. Top with whipped topping and pecans: Spread the remaining 8 ounces of whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Sprinkle the reserved chopped pecans on top for garnish.
  9. Chill dessert: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for 2 to 3 hours to allow it to chill and set properly before serving.
  10. Serve and store: Serve the Chocolate Delight immediately after chilling. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Use salted butter to skip adding extra salt in the crust.
  • Allow the crust to cool completely before adding the creamy layers to avoid melting them.
  • For best results, chill for the full 2 to 3 hours to allow proper setting.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
  • You can finely chop pecans by hand or use a food processor for convenience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate Delight, layered dessert, easy chocolate dessert, pecan crust dessert, instant pudding dessert, creamy dessert, no bake pudding

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