Chocolate Lush Dessert

Dessert is full of layers of creamy, chocolaty goodness on top of a pecan shortbread crust. This throwback to the 70's dessert is a amusing choice for parties and potlucks. 

This recipe was all of the rage inside the 70’s, the last decade whilst quick and clean make-beforehand cakes surely took off. i discovered connection with it in family Circle magazine and that i’m certain similar recipes were published in maximum of the other girls’s magazines lower back inside the day. It additionally happens to be the last decade whilst Robert Redford changed into IT and even though i was a bit younger to be crushing on him on the time, i am getting it, I definitely get it.

INGREDIENTS

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 10 tablespoons butter melted
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 (8 ounce) package reduced fat (Neufchatel) or regular cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 (8 ounce) containers whipped topping (Cool Whip)
• 1 (5.1 ounce) package vanilla instant pudding
• 1 (5.9 ounce) chocolate fudge instant pudding
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 cup grated semi-sweet chocolate bar
• additional finely chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 13" x 9" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, melted butter, and chopped nuts until well combined and crumbly. Press into prepared baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around edges. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
3. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Fold in 1 container of Cool Whip and stir to combine well. Spread over cooled crust.
4. In a clean bowl, whisk both the vanilla and chocolate pudding mix with 3 cups cold milk. Whisk together until smooth and thickened and spread over cream cheese layer. Spread remaining container of Cool Whip over the top.
5. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Garnish with the grated chocolate and additional finely chopped nuts, if desired, before serving.
6. Garnish with the grated chocolate and additional finely chopped nuts, if desired, before serving.

Based on the recipe from https://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com/next-best-thing-robert-redford-dessert/