The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford

I think I've found my new favorite dessert, it's from itsy bitsy foodies.  I made this layered pudding dessert to take to my dad's for his birthday/Christmas eve get together.  My entire family raved.  My brother-in-law and sister both asked for the recipe.  I hope you go and make this ASAP!  I've seen this recipe with Cool Whip substituted for whipped cream...your call.  I prefer whipped cream and now that I have this,

      

it takes no time at all.

I'm still in shock!!  I've been coveting a KitchenAid Stand Mixer for 5+ years now.  Mike surprised me on Wednesday with my very own stand mixer!  EEEEEEKKK!!!!  I had about 15 minutes of "Oh my god! Oh my god!  Oh my god!"  Then another 2 days of "I can't believe I have a stand mixer!" and squealing every time I look at it.  I may have kissed it a few times too.

Doesn't she look like she's always belonged on my counter?

I'm still freaking out!  I wanted to tell everyone, but had to keep things on the DL for a few days.  It was so hard to not tell.  Mike had the best idea ever.  His friend Kyle works for a company that does vinyl wrapping.  I've seen stand mixer decals like these, but with Kyle's hook-up  could take any picture or design and have them wrap the entire mixer.  I'm on the hunt for the perfect picture.


Okay.  Focus Julie.  Focus.  You made dessert.

The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford
From Kelsey Hilts {Itsy Bitsy Foodies}

Ingredients:

Bottom Layer
1 cup unsifted flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Middle Layer
1 - 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
4.5oz homemade whipped cream, by weight*

Top Layer
1 large package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 large package instant chocolate pudding mix
3 cups cold milk

Garnish Layer
Roughly 4.5oz homemade whipped cream, by weight*
Chocolate shavings


Directions:

Bottom Layer

1. Mix together the flour, butter and chopped nuts until the dough is crumble-like.
2. Press the mixture into a greased 9" x 13" pan.
3. Bake the cookie crust at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes of until lightly golden.
4. Let the cookie crust cool.

Middle Layer

1. Beat the sugar into the cream cheese until it is smooth.
2. Fold in the whipped cream.
3. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust.

Top Layer

1. Beat the milk into the pudding mixes until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
2. Spread the pudding over the middle layer.

Garnish

1. Spread whipped cream over the top and sprinkle the dessert with grated chocolate candy bar, such as Baker's Real Semi-Sweet Chocolate Shavings.
2. Cover the layered dessert and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve it.

*The whipped cream recipe below will make enough for this dessert.  Just use half for the middle layer an half for the garnish layer.


Whipped Cream


Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Whip all ingredients together until soft peaks form.