Chocolate Delight is the ultimate layered dessert that’s as easy as it is irresistible! With a buttery pecan crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, rich chocolate pudding, and a fluffy Cool Whip topping, it’s a hit at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday parties. Perfect for chocolate lovers, this crowd-pleaser will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Layered chocolate delight topped with chocolate curls, served on stacked plates.

Our recipe for Chocolate Delight cake is a family favorite that has stood the test of time. It is loved for its flavor combination and variety of textures. This classic layered chocolate dessert combines the sweet taste of a chocolate cream pie with the tang of whipped cheesecake and assembles the layers like my chocolate lasagna.

With its signature pecan shortbread crust, sweetened whipped cheesecake filling, chocolate pudding layer, and cool whip covering, this chocolate pudding dessert recipe is one you don’t want to miss. Simple steps to satisfy your soft and crunchy cravings; it’s called chocolate delight for a very good reason!

Chocolate Delight Ingredients

All purpose flour: You can use 1 to 1 gluten-free flour or ground pretzels for the shortbread cookie crust if you prefer.
Finely chopped pecans: Pistachios and walnuts are great nut alternatives.
Unsalted butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature.
Cream cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before starting. Softened cream cheese is easier to mix with the powdered sugar and Cool Whip and will give you a smooth filling. I also recommend using full fat cream cheese for the richest results.
Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar): Sweetens and stabilizes the cream cheese layer.
Almond extract: Vanilla extract is another alternative. You can also use peppermint extract if you want to change the flavor profile.
Frozen whipped topping or Cool Whip: This adds the light, airy texture; homemade whipped cream can be used for a richer, fresher alternative.
Milk: I like using whole milk in my chocolate pudding desserts, but you can also try half and half in the pudding layer as it creates a thicker, richer texture.
Chocolate instant pudding: Make sure you use instant pudding mix, not the cook-and-serve kind. Feel free to make a homemade pudding if you prefer. You can also use one box of instant chocolate pudding and one box of instant vanilla pudding or even all vanilla pudding for a different flavor profile.
Chocolate shavings

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Chocolate Delight

Create The Crust: Pinch the flour, pecans, and butter together with your hands and press the mixture into the prepared pan.
First Layer: The Base – Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes until the crust has set. Cool completely.
Second Layer: Cream Cheese Mixture – Using an electric mixer beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and almond extract together until light and fluffy. Fold in the Cool Whip and spread over the cooled crust.
Third Layer: Pudding Layer – Whisk together the milk and chocolate pudding. Spread the mixture over the cream cheese layer (I find it easiest to spread using an offset spatula).
Chill: Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to allow the layers to set up.
Top Your Treat: Cover the chocolate layer with the remaining whipped topping and garnish with chocolate shavings.
Serve: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight for best results. Serve and enjoy!

Create the crust and bake the base. Make the cream cheese mixture and spread the mixture over the cream cheese layer.

Serving Suggestions

Layered dessert recipes make a light and refreshing treat that’s cool for summertime snacking but can be easily be enjoyed during any season. It’s the perfect dessert for holidays, special occasions, family gatherings, and potlucks.

Serve your slice with a cup of coffee, a mug of hot chocolate, or a cold glass of milk; they all pair perfectly whether you want a bitter contrast, to refresh the palate between bites, or double down on the chocolate!

A tray of chocolate delight topped with chocolate curls, with a corner slice removed to reveal the dessert layers.

Tips & Recipe Variations

Grab Gluten Free Ingredients: To make this dessert gluten-free, you will need to switch the all-purpose flour for a 1 to 1 gf option or use gf pretzels ground up. Most pudding mixes are gluten-free, but you will need to read the ingredients to be sure they are gluten-free.
Set Before You Spread: To keep the layers separate, place the dish in the freezer for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for one hour before adding the next layer so that each layer can set up some first. This will keep them from blending as much and give you a cleaner look when it is cut.
Create The Crust: You can make a graham cracker crust by combining graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and a bit of sugar for a slightly sweet base. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a baking dish, bake for 10 minutes at 350ºF, cool, then follow the recipe as written.
Set Before Serving: Chill the chocolate-layered pudding dessert for at least 6 hours before serving. This allows the layers to set, so you get nice, clean layers when the 4-layer chocolate dessert is cut. I like to make this dessert the day before serving it.
Pick Another Flavor Profile: Once you’re comfortable with this recipe, it is easy to customize with your favorite flavors. Try some butterscotch or banana pudding.
Decorate Your Dessert: Decorate your chocolate pudding delight with chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips, Oreo cookie crumbs, crushed shortbread cookies, chopped nuts, or chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

Proper Storage

To Store: Chocolate delight should be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To Freeze: You can freeze chocolate delight dessert for up to 1 month and thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. Cover with plastic wrap first and then add a layer of foil before placing it in the freezer.
Make Ahead: Chocolate delight can be made a day ahead and kept cold in the fridge so that it has more time to set up.

A slice of layered chocolate delight on stacked plates, topped with chocolate curls, with the full tray in the background.

How Do I Make Chocolate Shavings

The best way to make chocolate shavings is to use a giant chocolate bar and grate it on your grater. You can also take a knife and cutting board and chop it up fine, or buy pre-cut curls at most craft stores or big box stores like Walmart.

Chocolate delight topped with chocolate curls, served on a plate with golden forks and pecans in the background.

More Layered Dessert Recipes

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