This luscious layered dessert features a buttery pecan crust, several layers of creamy filling, and rich chocolate as well as vanilla pudding for a deliciously decadent treat. Chocolate Pecan Delight is a crowd-pleease that’s fantastic for get togethers or special occasions and so simple to whip up, and even simpler to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Dessert:
Layered Texture and Flavor: From the nutty crunch of the pecan crust to the fluffy Cool Whip topping, each bite has a combination of textures.
These Mini Mushroom Quiches: These are surprisingly easy to make, with pantry staples and low prep, but pack that “wow” factor.
Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert, served cold, win big at potlucks, holiday gatherings and family dinners. It’s like pecan pie meets chocolate mousse!
Key Ingredients:
Flour and Butter for the Crust: The flour and butter make a lovingly tender, crumbs-a-flyin’ crust. Use a quality butter—preferably something Good. For a gluten-free version, just replace with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Brown Sugar: Gives the crust a light caramel sweetness that complements the pecans. Any light or dark brown sugar (dark will add some deeper molasses notes) works here.
Pecans: The main ingredient in the crust and topping. Finely chopped pecans add a buttery crunch to the crust, and the chopped pecans on top make for a gorgeous finish. You can use walnuts instead if necessary.
Cream Cheese: The cream cheese layer is creamy and slightly tangy and balances the sweetness of the other layers. Just be certain it’s completely softened so you can easily mix it.
Cool Whip: This whipped topping brings a little lightness to the party, and ensures that the filling and topping layers are silky smooth. You can replace it with homemade whipped cream or anything else you want for a less processed option.
Instant Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding Mixes: Mixing these two pudding mixes creates deliciously complex chocolate flavor with a hint of vanilla. It’s fast, fail-safe and sets beautifully in the dessert layers.
Milk: Milk now, cold milk, activates the pudding mix to become a smooth and creamy layer. Whole milk will give you the richest flavor, but any milk will do.
The recipe card below has the full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions
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Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preheat and Prep
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will help your crust bake thoroughly.
Grease a Baking Dish: Butter or spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. That makes it easier to serve the dessert later.
Prepare the Crust
Mix Together: In a small bowl, whisk together:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Make the Crust: Using your hands, mix these ingredients until crumbly.
Press and Bake: Press this mixture evenly across the bottom of your greased baking dish. Bake in the oven until light golden, about 15 minutes.
Allow to Cool Completely: Take the crust out of the oven and allow it to cool completely. This will keep the layers from mixing together.
Mix the Pudding Layer
Mix Pudding Mixes with Milk: In a large bowl, whisk together:
1 pkg instant chocolate pudding mix
1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
Wisk until it is completely smooth and mixed.
Fold in Cream Cheese Mixture: Add the following to pudding mixture:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup thawed cool whip
Whisk until mixture is smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Layers
Make The Pudding Layer: After the crust has cooled all the way down, add the pudding mixture on top of the crust. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Cool Whip Layer: Spread 2 cups of thawed cool whip over the pudding mixture.
Garnish and Chill
3 Add Pecans: 3 tablespoons of chopped pecans on top of the cool whip layer gives it a nice crunch, and decoration.
Cover: Wrap the baking dish well in the plastic wrap or foil and chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight so the flavors meld and the dessert can set.
Serve and Store
Chill to Serve: For the best texture, slice and serve the Chocolate Pecan Delight directly from the fridge.
Store Leftovers: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness.
Serving Suggestions:
Presentation Tips: Arrange slices on dessert plates and top with a few extra pecans or a sprinkling of cocoa powder for a beautiful presentation.
Served with: A hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk go perfectly with this rich dessert. For a holiday vibe, pair it with a peppermint mocha or spiced hot chocolate.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips:
Storage: This dessert will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just ensure it’s covered so it doesn’t dry out.
Make-Ahead: The dessert can be prepared a day in advance. Chilling overnight will not only develop flavor, but it also helps the layers hold firm.
Freezing: You can freeze this dessert for longer storage, but the texture may alter slightly when thawed. Wrap with plastic wrap and foil and freeze up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before serving.
Variations:
Nut-Free Version
Skip the pecans if you have a nut allergy or want a nut-free dessert. Use crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits for added texture.
Healthy Caramel Chocolate Pecan Delight
Drizzle caramel sauce on top of the Cool Whip topping before adding that final layer of pecans, for a decadent caramel-chocolate twist. This is so lovely for autumnal gatherings!
Mocha Layered Delight
For a mocha-flavored twist, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the chocolate pudding mix. The coffee flavor really brings out the chocolate, which deepens the richness.
Gluten-Free Version
Replacing the all-purpose flour in the crust with a gluten-free blend will make this dessert gluten-free. Be sure that the other ingredients are all gluten free too.
Conclusion:
Chocolate Pecan Delight is one of those irresistible desserts that layers flavor upon texture upon nostalgia. This dessert is delicious enough to eat just because, but may be even better for parties! Whether you’re preparing it for your family for dinner or for a special occasion, it’s sure to impress. And, please, spoil yourself and your friends with a slice (or two) of this layered pleasure — you’ll be glad you did!
Chocolate Pecan Delight
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour for crust
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature, for crust
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup pecans finely chopped, for crust
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 cups milk for pudding layer
- 3.9 oz instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cool whip thawed, divided
- 3 tablespoons pecans chopped, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, room temperature butter, brown sugar, and finely chopped pecans. Use hands to mix until crumbly, then press into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until light golden. Let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix, vanilla pudding mix, and milk until smooth. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 cup of thawed cool whip. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Once the crust is fully cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture over it. Next, layer the pudding mixture on top, spreading evenly. Top with remaining cool whip.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cool whip layer. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
- Slice and serve chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.