February 02, 2011

LUSH Dessert

Now back to my regularly scheduled pre-Valentines Day program......

This dessert is nothing short of dreamy. The perfect treat for those you love. Lush Dessert will cause your taste buds to do the Macarena. It's heavenly. OK now that I have totally built this dessert up to be the greatest thing next to sliced bread, let me tell you it's also super easy to make. It takes a bit of assembly, but other than that it's easy, and everyone always loves it. It can be prepared a day ahead. If you are entertaining, it's always a bonus to be able to prepare ahead of time!



That's what I'm talkin bout!

I am salivating more than a St. Bernard right now.

This recipe is from memory. The mother of a long lost friend of mine used to make this. I loved it. Somewhere along the way not only did I loose touch with this friend but I lost the recipe!

UGh!!

So I took a cookie recipe of my Grandmas and used it as the crust, because I always remembered the crust tasted like Grandma's Almond Snowball Cookies. And then the layered fillings I figured out on my own. Don't go thinking I am too culinary or anything. It was pretty easy. As you will see...



Lush Dessert
Crust:
2 1/4 cups All-purpose Flour
1/4 cups Powdered Sugar
3/4 cups Ground Almonds
1/4 teaspoons Salt
1 cup butter

Cream Cheese Filling:
1 package (8ounce) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

Chocolate Pudding Filling:
2 packages (6-1/2 cup serving) Instant Chocolate Pudding
3 cups milk

Whipped Topping:
1 1/2 cups Heaving Whipping Cream
1 tablespoon Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Slivered Almonds(optional)

Combine the crust ingredients together in mixing bowl, mix until combined.


Dump dough in to a 9x13 baking pan, and press evenly into bottom of pan.


Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool while you prepare the fillings.




Instant pudding is my friend. It's a beautiful thing. It makes everything better. Whip up two 6 serving packages of Instant Chocolate Pudding with 3 cups of milk. Put prepared pudding in refrigerator until you are ready to assemble.



Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy whipping cream on medium to high speed. This will become smooth and creamy. Control yourself. You will want to stick your finger in this more than once and have a little taste test.


When the crust is completely cooled, spread cream cheese filling evenly on top.





Now pull the chocolatey pudding out of the frig, and spread evenly over cream cheese filling.



I bet you're thinking, "she had me at chocolate pudding".


Now we're almost there. I told ya it's easy.


Whip up the 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, with sugar and vanilla, until peaks form.



Spread over top of chocolate pudding layer. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Cut into generous squares, and garnish with slivered almonds if you like that sort of thing.



That's it! Simple. Now you just need to go get yourself a fork.



Have yourself a seat, and dig in!



OPEN WIDE!



Oh don't think I stopped at just one bite. No I was just savoring my Heav-EN-leeeee moment!


Are you wondering WHY it's called Lush Dessert? I am thinking it's short for luscious. Because that's what this is LUSHous!

Hope you enjoy.


I LUV Ya!

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7 comments:

  1. Sheila, it looks sooo yummy! I loved the "salivating more than a St. Bernard"! That gave me a visual and made me smile! Enjoy our Snowtacular Day!

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  2. Mmmm! My mother-in-law makes one similar to this and it's always good. I like your addition of almonds, though. And the heart strawberry on the last picture. =)

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  3. It's not good to enjoy food blogs when one is TRAPPED inside their home due to 5" of ice on their driveway.... and unable to get to the store for ingredients. I am super anxious to try your recipe, it's very similar to my Grandma Nini's version: http://quiteatingout.blogspot.com/2010/12/pudding-cake.html. Except your pictures rock and mine don't. :-) {Hugs}

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  4. I love, love, love this stuff! It is our "funeral" dessert at church. So I forget about unless I have to make it for a funeral lunch. Have had it made with butterscotch, lemon and coconut puddings as well! Might have to make this for super bowl sunday!

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  5. I have been looking for this recipe for years now. I am beyond excited you shared it. Can't wait to make it now!

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  6. I just came across your blog and I am not sure my waistline will be happy I did. This dessert looks way to good and easy. Might have to make a list and go to the grocery store real soon. I think this is the first time I have seen a recipe like this, thanks for sharing

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  7. My in laws make this exact same thing, but use CoolWhip instead of making the whipping cream and call it Mississippi Mud Pie...whatever you call it, it's DELICIOUS!!!

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