My husband doesn't like cake. I know, crazy, right? I guess what he says is that he "isn't a big fan." Either way I'm offended. When his birthday rolls around I ask him what he wants for his dessert, seeing as how he doesn't like cake. Last year he asked for Texas Sheet Cake (delicious!) and this year he wanted Million Dollar Dessert. His mom makes this dessert and it is fabulous. All of the different levels work so well together with all the flavors and textures going on...Yum! My family got to eat this for the first time when I made this for a birthday party for Tyson at my parents' house. And of course it was a big hit. So for all of you kids that don't like cake on your birthday, here is another yummy option for you!
Million Dollar Dessert
What's Cookin'???
- 3/4 c. nuts, chopped fine, plus a little extra pieces that haven't been finely chopped to sprinkle on top (I used walnuts)
- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 3/4 c. butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 c. powdered sugar
- 1 c. cool whip, plus extra to spread on top
- 1 lg. pkg. instant chocolate pudding
- 3 c. milk
- one 2-pint container of whipping cream (optional) This is for the top layer so you can use the rest of the cool whip leftover in the container or you can whip some cream to put on the top. We use the whipping cream.
- Begin by chopping up the nuts. I chose walnuts for this dessert.
Mix the finely-chopped nuts, flour, sugar, and butter together in your mixer. Then taste it. You know, just to make sure it tastes ok. You may want a spoonful to really make sure.
Press the mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let it cool completely before adding the other layers.
Fold in the cool whip with a spatula or wooden spoon right into the cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture.
Onto the next layer! Mix together the box of instant chocolate pudding and milk. Follow the instructions on the box and whisk for as long as it says.
Then spread it over the cool whip layer. Don't let it sit for too long in the bowl or it will set up and be a little tricky to spread on the rest of the dessert.
After the pudding is on, spread what's left of the cool whip over the top, or the whipping cream, whichever you prefer.
After the pudding is on, spread what's left of the cool whip over the top, or the whipping cream, whichever you prefer.