Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert

The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert is full of layers of creamy, chocolaty goodness on top of a pecan shortbread crust. This throwback to the 70's dessert is a fun choice for parties and potlucks.

Prep time: PT20M

Cook time: PT25M

Total time: PT45M

Rating

4.85 stars (139 reviews)

Keywords

robert redford dessert

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
10 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
8 ounces 1/3 less fat (Neufchatel) or regular cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 ounces whipped topping (2 8-ounce containers) (like Cool Whip)
5.1 ounces vanilla instant pudding
5.9 ounces chocolate fudge instant pudding
3 cups milk
¼ cup grated semi-sweet chocolate bar
additional finely chopped nuts (for garnish (optional))

Cuisine

American

Steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, melted butter, and chopped nuts until well combined and crumbly. Press into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around edges. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Fold in 1 container of Cool Whip and stir to combine well. Spread over cooled crust.
In a clean bowl, whisk both the vanilla and chocolate pudding mix with 3 cups cold milk. Whisk together until smooth and thickened and spread over cream cheese layer. Spread remaining container of Cool Whip over the top.
Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Garnish with the grated chocolate and additional finely chopped nuts, if desired, before serving.
Garnish with the grated chocolate and additional finely chopped nuts, if desired, before serving.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 477 kcal
Carbohydrates: 60 g
Protein: 7 g
Fat: 24 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Cholesterol: 46 mg
Sodium: 504 mg
Sugar: 41 g

Reviews

Karen H on 2025-07-02 (5 stars):
This Recipe is delicious! I will make it again for sure!
Laney on 2025-03-04 (5 stars):
I was blown away by this dessert! Recipe was perfect!
Rick on 2024-12-06 (5 stars):
This is a classic, my family has made it since we were introduced to it in the early 90's. I'm preparing to make it for my unit as part of a special Christmas meal/holiday party at our deployment location. Only problem is that I can't get any Cool Whip out here. I'm planning to *attempt* to scratch-make some by making whipped cream and adding whipped cream stabilizer (gelatin) to it. Do you have any better suggestions for a Cool Whip substitute?
Bill on 2024-03-30 (5 stars):
I made it but the crust kept coming off the dish when I was spreading the cream cheese mixture. Was it underdone?
Sarah Hembree on 2023-11-27 (5 stars):
Love this recipe so much I request it each year for my birthday for the last five years!!
Merlin on 2023-09-30 (5 stars):
This is such a great dessert! I have made it many, many times. Am making today for a carry in at church tomorrow.
Granny62 on 2023-06-23 (5 stars):
My mother in law made this in the early 70’s and it was (and still is) wildly popular. In addition to the chocolate I’ve made it substtuted with lemon, butterscotch and the very best of all, PUMPKIN! So the reason it called Better Than Robert Redford Cake is because it was more polite than the “actual” tiile: Better Than Sex Cake! How sex got substituted with Robert Redford, I can only imagine…😉 bon appetit!