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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert

    Published: Mar 31, 2021 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    This Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert is layers of chocolate lush with a pecan crust that’s so satisfying and delicious!

    Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert

    This classic layered dessert that’s been around many years as far back as the 70’s has lots of names such as Better than Robert Redford Dessert, Chocolate Lush, Chocolate Delight and more. Growing up we’ve always called it Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert. I don’t know why we called it this, we just did and got so excited when my mom made it for dessert.

    how to make Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert

    A dessert that is so simple and tastes like you slaved in the kitchen for hours is great for potlucks, cookouts, holidays, get togethers and more. Even though, chocolate is a favorite flavor for this decadent dessert, there are plenty more variations you can make using different flavors and such. My second favorite is lemon lush. YUM!! However, you make it, it will sure be a favorite for all to enjoy.

    Recipe Tips & Variations

    • Can substitute the pecan crust for crushed graham crackers or crushed walnuts.
    • Want to try a different flavor? Swap out the chocolate and vanilla pudding for lemon or even butterscotch.
    • Make it sugar free by using sugar free cookies with pecans ,butter, sugar free cool whip, sugar free pudding mix and low fat cream cheese. 

    Ingredients

    For the crust:

    1 cup flour
    1 stick butter, melted
    1 cup chopped pecans

    For the cream cheese layer:

    8 oz cream cheese, softened
    1 cup powdered sugar
    8 oz Cool Whip

    For the pudding layer:

    1 large box instant chocolate pudding
    1 large box instant vanilla pudding
    2 cups milk

    How to Make Robert Redford Dessert

    Make the Crust

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the crust (flour, butter and pecans). Press into a 9X13 inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes and allow to cool completely.

    Prepare the Filling

    In a bowl mix together the cream cheese layer ingredients (cream cheese, powdered sugar and cool whip) and spread half of the mixture over cooled crust. Save the remaining half for the topping. 

    In a bowl, beat together the pudding layer ingredients (instant chocolate pudding, instant vanilla pudding and milk) until firm. Spread over top of cream cheese layer. 

    Add the Topping

    Spread the remaining cream cheese filling on top of the pudding filling and grate a chocolate bar over top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Chocolate Lush Dessert

    More Delicious Desserts

    • Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
    • Banana Pudding Cheesecake
    • Strawberry Lemon Dream Dessert
    • Quadruple Chocolate Poke Cake
    • Cherry Sheet Cake
    • S’mores Dump Cake

    Recipe

    Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert

    EverydayShortcuts.com
    This Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert is layers of chocolate lush with a pecan crust that's so satisfying and delicious!
    4.34 from 12 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American

    Ingredients
      

    For the crust:

    • 1 cup flour
    • 1 stick butter melted
    • 1 cup chopped pecans

    For the cream cheese layer:

    • 8 oz cream cheese softened
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 8 oz Cool Whip

    For the pudding layer:

    • 1 large box instant chocolate pudding
    • 1 large box instant vanilla pudding
    • 3 cups milk

    Instructions
     

    • Make the Crust
    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the crust (flour, butter and pecans). Press into a 9X13 inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes and allow to cool completely.
    • Prepare the FillingIn a bowl mix together the cream cheese layer ingredients (cream cheese, powdered sugar and cool whip) and spread half of the mixture over cooled crust. Save the remaining half for the topping. 
    • In a bowl, beat together the pudding layer ingredients (instant chocolate pudding, instant vanilla pudding and milk) until firm. Spread over top of cream cheese layer. 
    • Add the ToppingSpread the remaining cream cheese filling on top of the pudding filling and grate a chocolate bar over top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @everydayshortcuts or use #everydayshortcuts on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram to let us know!

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    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kt

      August 09, 2023 at 12:18 pm

      Hi is a large box of pudding the 5.9 oz one?

      Reply
      • Alison

        August 10, 2023 at 10:21 am

        Yes!

        Reply
    2. Jane

      November 22, 2023 at 9:22 pm

      Awful recipe. Add more butter for the crust. Add more milk for the pudding. Just bad instructions

      Reply
      • Alison

        January 09, 2024 at 10:50 pm

        Add more butter to crust if you’d wish but I would not add more milk or it will be a soupy mess. The 2 cups of milk is one cup per pudding box. It’s the same ingredient amounts as what’s on the pudding box.

        Reply
        • Shari

          February 15, 2024 at 8:39 pm

          It’s actually 2 cups of milk for the large pudding size.

          Reply
    3. Dawn

      September 05, 2024 at 10:44 am

      Horrible recipe! 2 cups of milk for two lg boxes of pudding produced a sickeningly over sweetened glob of a mess. As stated above by the author, incorrectly, 1 cup of milk is not the directions on the each box. More milk is ABSOLUTELY NEEDED. Since I had already mixed the pudding I had to fold in some extra cool whip to try and save the dessert. This recipe should be corrected or removed!

      Reply
    4. Trish

      December 22, 2024 at 4:35 pm

      This recipe is wonderful if you buy SMALL packages of instant pudding. Also, I bake the crust longer. I spread all of the cream cheese mixture on it when it is cooled, then the pudding mixture, then straight up cool whip. Chill overnight, or make it way ahead and freeze it.

      Reply
    4.34 from 12 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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