Delightful Dessert Alert

A few posts ago, I promised to share a recipe with you.

I thought I'd make good on that vow in case you were casting about for something new to make for your Fourth of July celebrations.

No; it isn't a red/white/blue dessert. There is no red jello and no strawberries or blueberries. I regret to say, there is no watermelon in this dish.

You'll have to get your watermelon fix somewhere else. As I will be doing -- straight out of the watermelon.

This is a chocolate dessert, the formal name of which is Chocolate Delight.

Joyce, my good friend at church, shared this recipe with me. She reports that she is not allowed entrance to any family gathering unless she brings a big old dish of Chocolate Delight.

Her sons especially demand it. And while that may or may not be the acid test, it was good enough for me.

So I made it for Memorial Day and all I can say is, yes. We'll put this one in the rotation.

For years, on account of Andrew's love for it, I frequently made Pretzel Salad (a deceptive name) for the big family parties where a jello-type offering was appropriate.

With its crust of crushed pretzels and butter turning crunchy-golden and nut-like in taste, and its layers of Cool Whip mixed with cream cheese and sugar, and strawberry jello crammed with frozen strawberries, it's a winner and there are never any leftovers. 

Or if there ever were, I'd send them home with Andrew. He will testify that it's a dessert he cannot resist.

Chocolate Delight is every bit as good, in a different way. Whereas Pretzel Salad is cool and tart and sweet, this is all decadent chocolate creaminess with the sweet.

And the crust is killer. It's central to this dish so do it exactly as I tell you.

Here's the recipe:

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CHOCOLATE DELIGHT

For Crust:

1 and 1/2 sticks butter, melted

1 and 1/2 cups plain flour

3/4 cup chopped nuts*

Mix blended ingredients and pat smooth in 9x13 baking pan (preferably glass), then bake in 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until crust begins to turn golden brown.

* Look. Trust me. Use either sliced almonds or finely-chopped pecans, and do not measure. Just throw in a generous handful. You'll see what I mean. The result is like a giant shortbread cookie. Try not to eat it before it has its fill of filling.

For Filling:

8 oz. full-fat cream cheese

1 cup confectioners 10X sugar

1 8-oz. tub Cool Whip Extra Creamy

Mix cream cheese and sugar well, then add the Cool Whip and mix it all together.

Spread this mixture over the cooled crust.

For Topping:

2 small (3-oz.) packages instant chocolate pudding*

3 cups milk (not 4 cups as would be called for if prepared by box instructions)

1 8-oz. tub Cool Whip Extra Creamy

Mix dry pudding mix with the milk and blend as if for pudding.

Pour the pudding over the cream cheese/Cool Whip layer.

Top the whole thing with the second tub of Cool Whip Extra Creamy.

Refrigerate for at least three hours before serving.

* I used Godiva Chocolate Caramel instant pudding and I highly recommend this.

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If you want, for the patriotic holiday you could top all of this with red/white/blue sprinkles. 

Or plant tiny American toothpick flags across the snowy Cool Whip landscape.

But I stayed true to the vision and garnished the top of mine with about half a bag of Toll House Semi-Sweet Mini Morsels.

I didn't know that these tiny pieces of chocolate were so adorable, or so delicious.

As I've said before, I'm not necessarily one to reach for the chocolate desserts first (with the possible exception of homemade chocolate cake with chocolate icing).

But this one is so silky-smooth, so light, so cold, so creamy, and the tiny morsels on top just enough of a chocolate experience, to make this dessert unique and very special.

If you make it for your people, let me know and tell me what you (and they) think of it.

I don't plan to make Chocolate Delight again for a while, because it's one of those desserts that I cannot resist. It's not time for a treat of this magnitude again, quite yet. 

We must pace ourselves.

Perhaps I'll trot this one out again for Labor Day, when we'll mark the almost-end of summer and celebrate our Stephanie's birthday.

Meanwhile, whatever your menu and however laid-back or elaborate the plans for your family's Independence Day observance and celebration, as always, may the Fourth be with you.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Friday :: Happy Weekend

Comments

[Nancy]

Thanks for stopping by!! You look like you love cooking....
Blackberry pie should totally be a part of your creative juices....
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

[Mari]

Yum! This looks fabulous - something Bob would love I think. So, I'll add it to things I have to try. I still have to try the Lemon Blender pie too! I love Pretzel Salad (yes, it's a deceptive name) but can you believe Bob doesn't like it? He's wonderful, but something is wrong with him!
PS - Love the Glory, Hallelujah on your sign. Perfect!!!

[Nana Diana]

OMGOSH! I think I gained 5 pounds just reading this post. I saved this over to my recipe file and it sounds delicious!!!!!
Have a blessed Sunday night- xo Diana

[sally]

Now, that is something I could get my teeth into. Looks so good! :)

Our mother used to make a three tiered chocolate pie that I wish I'd gotten her recipe. It was so good also!

(I'm laughing at Mari, what she said about Bob. lolol)

Enjoy your day tomorrow, Jenny

xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Nana ... Try it! You will not be sorry. It's excellent. Now I am drooling xoxo

@Sally ... I know, right? I can see Bob's eyes lighting up. He's so special and so is Chocolate Delight. You have a lovely Fourth too! xoxo

[Donna (Texas)]

Oh!! You mean Zebra Cake! I've been making this since 1972...NEVER gets old and the kids demand it on holidays. Now, I need some...Girlchild!!Hahaa
Happy Independence Day!!
hughugs

[Liberty Belle]

That really looks good. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

[Nancy]

Jenny....glad you stopped by my blog...hope you try the tomato jam...
This dessert of yours is to die for....but now I am on a diet....
take care, Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... This is no stripe of a cake (see what I did there?) but that sounds good too! Haahaha xoxo

@LB ... You're welcome and you're welcome! xoxo

@Nancy ... I'm on a perpetual diet too. Three bites of this are good for the soul, though! And everyone else enjoys it so much. xoxo

[Barb]

My grandkids will think I was taken over by the dessert fairy if I make this (which I will). I can see how it might be only a once in awhile dessert - decadent! I like your story board quote.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... this is definitely a not-above-twice-a-year treat ... too much sugar ... but SO good for morale! They and you will love it. It's special. Are you loving your story board? xoxo

[Mari]

Guess what I made this weekend? It's yummy and has won approval over here. I put the mini chips on top and decided I would like it better without them, but Bob says "Thanks Jenny - it's perfect!"

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... you tried it! Yay! I am so glad! Awesome that Bob liked it. I'll be making it again soon too. You can put something else on top! xoxo