One of the Best Desserts Ever – A Crowd-Favorite Layered Delight

 

Looking for the ultimate no-fail dessert that combines crunchy, creamy, chocolaty, and sweet layers all in one bite? This layered dessert is famously known as “One of the Best Desserts Ever” for a reason! With a graham cracker and pecan crust, a rich cream cheese layer, two types of pudding, and a whipped topping finish — it’s a no-bake (mostly!) dream dessert that’s perfect for gatherings, holidays, or anytime you need to impress.

 Ingredients

For the Crust:

• ½ cup margarine, melted
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

Cream Cheese Layer:

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Pudding Layers:

• 1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk

Topping:

• 3 cups whipped topping, thawed
• 1 oz square unsweetened chocolate, melted (for garnish)

 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine melted margarine, graham cracker crumbs, and chopped pecans.
3. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool completely before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer

1. In a clean bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping until well combined.
3. Spread this mixture gently over the cooled crust.

Step 3: Mix the Puddings

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together both chocolate and vanilla instant pudding mixes with 3 cups of cold milk.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken, then pour and spread evenly over the cream cheese layer.

Step 4: Add the Final Topping

1. Spread the remaining 3 cups of whipped topping over the top layer of pudding.
2. Drizzle or swirl the melted unsweetened chocolate across the top for a gorgeous finish.

 Chill & Serve

• Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
• For best results, chill for several hours or even overnight to let the layers set beautifully.

Pro Tip: This dessert also freezes well. Just pop individual slices into airtight containers and freeze for up to 1 month. Let thaw slightly at room temperature before serving.

 Why You’ll Love This Dessert

• Perfect make-ahead dessert for parties
• Delicious textural contrast between the crunchy base and creamy top layers
• Easily customizable – try different pudding flavors like butterscotch, pistachio, or banana!

 Nutrition (Estimated Per Serving – Serves 12)

• Calories: ~320 kcal
• Fat: ~18g
• Carbs: ~35g
• Protein: ~5g