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Chocolate Delight Recipe

4.6 from 142 reviews

Chocolate Delight is a layered no-bake dessert featuring a buttery pecan crust, creamy sweetened cream cheese, rich chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped topping. This easy-to-make treat combines textures and flavors into a decadent, chilled dessert perfect for parties and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 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)

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 and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and grab a 13×9-inch rectangular baking dish to prepare the crust.
  2. Make Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, softened butter, 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is clumpy and loosely sticks together. You may use a food processor for ease.
  3. Press and Bake Crust: Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden brown. Remove carefully and allow it to cool completely.
  4. Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: Using a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined.
  5. Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread this cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust to form the second layer of the dessert.
  6. Make Chocolate Pudding Layer: With an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the instant chocolate pudding mixes and whole milk for about two minutes until the pudding is fully combined and starts to set.
  7. Spread Pudding Layer: Spread the chocolate pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer to create the third layer.
  8. Add Final Whipped Topping and Garnish: Spread the remaining 8 ounces of whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer, then sprinkle the top with the reserved chopped pecans for crunch and visual appeal.
  9. Chill the Dessert: Refrigerate the layered dessert for 2 to 3 hours to allow it to chill and set properly before serving.
  10. Serve and Store: Serve immediately after chilling. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Ensure the crust cools completely before spreading the cream cheese layer to prevent melting or mixing layers.
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
  • Use whole milk for best pudding texture; low-fat or non-dairy milk may affect firmness.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or use crushed graham crackers in the crust.
  • Make sure cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.

Keywords: chocolate delight, layered dessert, no-bake chocolate pudding dessert, pecan crust dessert, creamy chocolate dessert