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–+ servings
A slice of a rich chocolate layered Thanksgiving dessert, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Foolproof Thanksgiving Dessert

This recipe creates a delicious, no-bake Thanksgiving dessert that is easy to make and sure to impress your guests. It features layers of creamy filling and a nutty crust.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Refrigeration Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 477
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 10 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
For the Cream Cheese Layer
  • 8 ounces 1/3 less fat (Neufchatel) or regular cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 container whipped topping (like Cool Whip) from 2 8-ounce containers
For the Pudding Layer
  • 5.1 ounces vanilla instant pudding
  • 5.9 ounces chocolate fudge instant pudding
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 container whipped topping (like Cool Whip) remaining from 2 8-ounce containers
For Garnish
  • 1/4 cup grated semi-sweet chocolate bar
  • additional finely chopped nuts optional

Equipment

  • 13 x 9 inch baking dish
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Clean bowl

Method
 

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

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 7gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 504mgPotassium: 275mgFiber: 2gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 527IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 1mg

Notes

If you prefer less whipped topping, you may choose not to use the entire second container for the top layer. Optionally, you may substitute one (12-ounce) container of whipped topping, using half for the cream cheese layer and the remaining half for the top layer.

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