This is a creamy pudding-like pie. It has a thick chocolate filling, thick cream cheese filling, a butter/nut crust, and is topped with whipped cream. Definitely not for those who are on a diet.
The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford 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 fun choice for parties and potlucks.
This make-ahead dessert consists of five delicious layers not counting the nut and chocolate garnish. When cut into squares, note the walnut crust, the cream cheese layer, the vanilla pudding, the chocolate pudding, and the creamy whipped topping.
There are lots of names out there for this lovely layered dessert. Most frequently you’ll see it referred to as Chocolate Lush. Then there are the flavor varieties like Lemon Lush or Strawberry Lush (and on, and on, and…), but it’s entirely more fun to say “I’m bringing Robert Redford to the party” than “I got the Chocolate Lush”. So, Redford, it is.
Ingredients :
Crust:
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) Kerrygold butter, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 cup Gold Medal flour
- 1 cup finely chopped or blended chopped pecans or walnuts
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups Domino powdered sugar
- 12 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups Borden heavy whipping cream + 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Pudding Layer:
- 4 cups Jello chocolate pudding
Extra:
- Reserved whipped cream and chocolate curls for garnish
Instructions:
- For the crust, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the flour in a medium bowl and cut in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped nuts. Press the crust into a 9X13-inch aluminum or glass pan and bake for 8-10 minutes until set. Remove the pan to a wire rack and let it cool completely before proceeding.
- For the cream cheese layer, in a medium bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream and 1/4 cup powdered sugar and whip at high speed until stiff peaks form. In another large bowl, whip together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Fold in about 3/4 of the sweetened whipped cream and mix until blended, taking care to mix gently so as not to deflate the whipped cream. Set aside both the cream cheese mixture and the remaining sweetened whipped cream.
- To assemble, spread the whipped cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust. Top the cream cheese layer with the chocolate pudding, spreading all the way to the edges of the pan. Top with the remaining sweetened whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut into slices and top with chocolate curls or shaved chocolate, if desired.
Source: 77kitchen.com