Better Than Robert Redford Cake Or?

I have seen several of versions of this quintessential cake over the blogoshere, which jogged my memory. Back in the early 80's, when I was making this dessert, it was named for Robert Redford, the hunky guy at the time. There have been several names attached to this dessert, Better than Sex Cake,  Lush, etc.  Depending on your genre, you could call this cake Better than  Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling,  or you fill in the blank with your favorite hottie. Believe, back then hottie wasn't even a word. Which celebrity makes you drool?

This dessert is Oh My Goodness! good.  It has four layers of heavenly flavors and textures.  The first layer is a nutty, buttery crust,  The second layer is cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped topping, mixed together. The third layer is instant chocolate pudding made with less milk, so it is firmer. The final layer is more whipped topping and and garnished with mini chocolate chips, chocolate curls, or chopped nuts, to name a few. One bite of this luscious dessert will have you in another universe.

You can make this dessert ahead of time, and put it in the freezer.  I recommend putting the dessert in the freezer before cutting. As you will see my piece if the cake isn't perfect, because I didin't leave it in the freezer long enough before cutting.  I was in a hurry to take pictures, before the light was gone, and I was going to Bunco, too.  At night I dream of making perfect  stunning, desserts, but it never seems to happens,  I need to be more organized, and plan better, but that never seems to happen, either. Perfect or not, this dessert is out of this world.  You can change up the pudding flavors.  I used to make this with Pistachio pudding at Christmas, or Lemon pudding in the Spring.  This dessert with the lemon pudding was my Mom's favorite.  Whichever pudding you choose, you have to make this dessert, and savor every bite. Enjoy!

I had a PDF copy of the recipe from my old cookbook, but I couldn't convert it to aWord

document. 

Better Than Robert Redford Cake From Allstate Community Cookbook, Circa 1983

 Ingredients:  

 ***1^st  Layer, the crust ** 1 cup flour 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped 1/2 cup butter, softened i stick 

 ***2nd layer the cream cheese layer*** 1 package (8 ounce size) cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup Cool Whip 

 ***3 rd layer, the pudding layer***
2 small pkg Instant chocolate pudding., or flavor of your choice

3 cups milk I used Almond Milk 

 ***4^th layer. the topping *** 1 cup Cool Whip Mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or chocolate curls

 Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix ingredients for 1^st layer, the crust, spread on bottom of an ungreased 9 x13  baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool thoroughly.
Mix the ingredients for the 2nd layer the cream cheese layer,, and spoon on top of cooled crust. Mix the ingredients for the 3rd layer, the pudding layer, and spoon on Top of 2^nd layer.  Chill for 30 minutes

 4^th layer, top with a thin layer of Cool Whip, and garnish with grated mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or, chocolate curls.  Freeze or refrigerate overnight for easier cutting.   I would definitely recommend leaving in the freezer overnight for easier cutting.  I didn’t leave mine in the freezer long enough.

I linked up my recipe to Brandie@The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck #62
 Stop by and say Hi to Brandie!