Delightful Chocolate

This chocolate dessert is fun to make and simple to do. It is made of layers of goodness: a crust made of pecans butter and flour, a filling of cream cheese and whip cream, a layer of chocolate milk pudding, and another layer of whipped cream for an unforgettable treat. You can use premade chocolate pudding bought from the store or grocery or make one from scratch at home. There are many ways to enjoy this delectable treat. On its own, indulge in it during afternoon tea or serve it with coffee and enjoy with friends. Of course, this is an irresistible gourmet snack recipe for kids of all ages.

While this is not a healthy gourmet recipe, it is one of the most luscious and delightful. You can top this chocolate dessert with fresh fruits for a more colorful and elegant treat. Slice fresh strawberries, kiwis, bananas, peaches, currants, raspberries, or mandarin oranges and decorate this chocolate dessert. You can use one fruit two, three or more to make a medley that is a pleasure to the eyes as much as it is a pleasure to the palate and the tummy.

Another way of enjoying this rapturous dessert is to serve it with vanilla or peppermint ice cream and garnish it with mint leaves for a fancy touch. You can also decorate the top with nuts. Since the crust contains pecans, you can decorate the dessert with whole pecans or with almonds, cashews, or walnuts for a crunchy contrast. Fruit and nut also makes a wonderful combination and go excellently with chocolate.

If you want to go totally out on this, drizzle this gourmet snack recipe with some cherry or strawberry syrup. Whisky or rum sauce also goes well with this for strictly adult guests. Serves as many as sixteen to twenty, or as few as three if you guests or family have a big appetite for chocolate.

Ingredients

Combine

1 cup flour

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 stick butter, at room temperature

Press evenly in a 9- by 13-inch glass baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until light brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Combine

8 ounces cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup Cool Whip

Spread onto cooled crust.

Mix:

2 small boxes instant (can substitute any flavor)

3 cups milk

Beat 2 minutes. Spread on top of cheese mixture. Spread 1 cup of Cool Whip over top. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.

1. In a bowl, mix flour, pecans, and butter. Press evenly in a 9- by 13-inch glass baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until light brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

2. In another bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Cool Whip. Spread onto cooled crust.

3. In a saucepan mix chocolate pudding and milk. Beat 2 minutes. Spread on top of cheese mixture. Spread 1 cup of Cool Whip over top. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.

4. Cut into squares and serve.