A layered pudding dessert with a shortbread type crust, topped with a peanut butter cream cheese layer, then pudding and topped with whipped topping.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Layered Dessert
I'm pretty sure the dessert was born out of the 70s, and like all the other layered desserts, it has the press in crust, the layers of cream cheese and pudding and topped with whipped cream. The one difference is that this one has peanuts and peanut butter and if you love peanut butter, you will adore this version.
Perfect for big events, parties, potlucks and the like, back in the day it was known as Jimmy Carter Cake. If you're not a fan of the namesake, don't let that discourage you from trying this dessert, because frankly it is awesome. Just name it something else!
I don’t really know why these types of desserts have been referred to over the years as a "cake" because there isn't anything cakey about it, although a version has popped up in more recent years that does include an actual cake layer now, instead of the classic shortbread type crust. That of course is marvelous, so I've included that one as well. It's a delicious dessert, perfect any time of the year, so let's get started making it shall we? Here's how.
Chop up 2/3 cup of peanuts, mix them with a cup of flour and cut in a stick of cold butter, press that into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool completely. This produces a very thin bottom crust. If you like your crust a bit more substantial, and especially if your pan is slightly larger, you will probably need to make a 1-1/2 to double bottom crust.
Cream together a cup of peanut butter, a block of cream cheese and a cup of powdered sugar and layer that on top of the crust. Don't you just want a spoon of that peanutty goodness right there? Guess what? You can! This actually makes a great dip for fruit. Loosen it up with a little cream, half and half of milk to desired consistency then serve with some cut up fruit. Yummy!
Whisk the two puddings together and then whisk in the milk. Spread that on top of the peanut butter layer. I forgot to grab a picture of that peanut butter layer by itself...oops! But you get the picture, right?
Spread that pudding layer completely out over that peanut butter layer. (Don't you hate how grainy looking instant pudding can be?)
Now, whip up the heavy cream - or use Cool Whip - and spread that creamy, sweet decadence all over the top of that pudding layer.
Sprinkle some extra chopped nuts all over the top.
Use a microplane grater to finely grate some good dark chocolate on top.
Scatter some cherries around on top if you like. Go ahead, do it. You know you want to. They look too cute! You can use a variety of garnishes with this too of course - coarsely chopped mini peanut butter cups are cute, but chocolate curls, grated chocolate, chocolate or peanut butter chips - let your imagination run with it!
Stick the whole thing in the fridge to set and chill for several hours before serving. If you can stand it. I'll bet you won't be able to.
For more of my other favorite layered desserts, check out the collection on my Pinterest page!
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