It was the name that got your attention, right?
"Sex, in a pan? What the heck is that?" you ask.
I've actually heard this dessert called a few different names.....
Robert Redford Dessert
Better Than Anything Dessert
Chocolate Dream Dessert
etc...etc...
In our house it only goes by one name...the TRUE name of this dessert....
Sex In A Pan.
I know...I know...not exactly a kid-friendly dessert title.
I first tasted this many, many moons ago and since then have made it a million times. Well, maybe not quite a million but pretty close I'm sure. It is one of those desserts that is great for any occasion. And, if you truly can't bring yourself to call it "Sex In A Pan" when people are asking you "What is this deliciousness called?", then you call it whatever you like.
Heaven On A Plate might be a good back up name.
Sex In A Pan
Ingredients
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 cup icing sugar
8 oz cream cheese
large tub of Cool Whip
2 cups milk
1 6 oz pkg instant chocolate pudding
1 6 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 9 X 13 pan with cooking spray.
In medium bowl, mix together flour, pecans, and butter to form coarse crumbs. Press firmly in to the 9 X 13 pan. Bake in 350 oven for 10 - 15 minutes, until just showing brown.
Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes or more. (I usually place mine in the freezer while I do the next step)
In the same bowl you used for the crust, beat together icing sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in 1/2 the tub of Cool Whip until well combined.
Spread carefully over the pecan crust. Place in fridge to continue cooling while you proceed with the next step.
Using the same bowl again, dump in both pudding powders and whisk with 2 cups of milk until smooth. Spread over cream cheese layer.
Take the remaining 1/2 tub of Cool Whip and spread over pudding layer.
Sprinkle with a few extra chopped pecans or chocolate slivers. Chill until ready to serve.
I try not to make this too often anymore as I think I could get a spoon and just sit and eat the entire pan. If you are so inclined, you can use reduced fat cream cheese and Cool Whip and the no sugar pudding, and skim milk and it won't really change the taste or texture TOO much. It's still delicious.
Oh! I get this question all the time...
"Do I use 2 cups of milk PLUS the milk that the pudding box calls for, or is it just 2 cups of milk, period?"
You only use 2 cups of milk. That's it. The puddings blend together and are quite thick. That's what you want to happen. You don't want it to be "pudding-y".
You can also make this with different pudding flavors if you want to, as long as you use 2 - 6 oz boxes of instant pudding. You could try butterscotch, only chocolate, only vanilla, banana, etc..
I have made it with pistachio pudding for St. Patrick's Day and it was really tasty.
See...it's pretty and St. Patrick's Day-y
Just remember...it's called Sex In A Pan.
I love telling people the name of this dessert. It has started some really interesting and sometimes hilarious conversations.
I cannot tell a lie, this is one of my favorite all-time recipes. I've been making it for 20+ years. . .first had it as a teenager. YUM YUM YUM. Tomorrow, my family plans to try your pieorgi casserole . . .can't wait. Looks like comfort food at it's finest. Thanks for the great blog and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favorite's too! (Jo)
DeleteSue doesn't like pudding because she's odd....
I hope you like the pierogi casserole :) It can be addicting.
You should try this with butterscotch pudding. Definitely my favorite.
DeleteI have to say this is also one of my favorite all time recipes too and I've posted about it a couple of times myself. In my family we call it "4 layer delight" because it has 4 layers. At least that's what it was called 25 years ago. LOL! But like you say I've heard it called many different names. I haven't made it in a few weeks so I shall have to pull out the pudding mix. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you tried it with different flavors of pudding? Or do stick with one kind? I LOVE the chocolate/vanilla combo but would like to try it with butterscotch for something different one day :)
DeleteRu sure it is 6 oz each of pudding seems like that is a lot of pudding!?
DeleteReally it is very sex pan! It is all time my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about making a version of this that my mom used to make aaaaaaages ago, but when she looked up the recipe, it was titled "Cheese Lush." Eeeew. I like the name you use better. Waaaaaaay better.
ReplyDeleteI agree, "cheese lush" is a little eeew! :)
Deletei got a question on that instead of peacans cause i am involved in group people are elergic to nuts instead of nut i can use gramecrackers right
ReplyDeleteA graham cracker crust will change the taste of this dessert but it will work just fine!!
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking of a different crust, changing it to a brownie crust,although I know the original recipe is good. Any feedback?? Thanks
ReplyDeleteA brownie crust would be incredibly decadent. A small piece would be all you need! It would be totally amazing though :) Let us know if you make it with the brownie crust - I'd love to know how it turned out.
DeleteI've used chocolate chip cookie dough as crust.
DeleteWe call it Better Than Sex Cake....
ReplyDeleteWe call it better then sex cake or ice box pie and have been making it for years also, other versions we tried especially for the nut allergy ppl is to use cookies for the crust or just leave out the nuts, which is my preferred version, the cookie is oreos crushed with melted butter and cook the same as above. save a few crushed oreos to sprinkle on top. Great for holidays when the ones with colored cream come out.
ReplyDeleteNew names for a dessert I've loved for years. I've only ever heard it called Chocolate Delight....and I could also eat the entire pan. In a pinch I have used the pecan shortbread cookies as the crust. Thanks for the tip about the pistachio for St Patty's...great idea.
ReplyDeleteLove this dessert! I make it with butterscotch and vanilla pudding with crispy crunch crumbled on top! Delicious!
ReplyDeleteHave used a ginger crunch dough with good results (NZ edmonds cook book), tho here in oz we dont get cool whip, so have used whipped cream instead
ReplyDeleteMy mom has been making this for over 20 years and it's always been known as "The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford" dessert. No matter what you call it it's a hit every time. In fact sometimes she makes two so everyone gets to have some before it's gone. My grandparents have 8 kids, 16 grandkids and 23 great grandkids (not including those who've married into the family) so we have quite the crowd at the holidays! If anyone is considering making this, do yourself a favor and make it, it's well worth the time and effort!
ReplyDeleteYou could call it "Cellulite in a pan" lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm making this for Easter dessert tomorrow! I've been making this for years and typically stick with the chocolate/vanilla mix or lemon, but I'm using Oreo cookies and cream pudding for tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteDumb Question..What is icing sugar?
ReplyDeletePowdered sugar :)
DeleteI love this dessert. I am 60 years old and I have been making this dessert for at least 35 years. Back then, it was known as The refrigerator dessert or icebox pie. Through the years many Versions have been made. Including, the Jell-O Striped Delight with a graham cracker crust. I have made with the graham cracker crust, The shortbread crust, and with Oreo cookie crust. No matter how it's mud, it's always a hit.
ReplyDeleteIve had this before, with a church group. Of course they didnt call it Sex in a Pan....LOL! Its delish. Thanks for posting the recipe. I cant wait to make this for my family. :)
ReplyDeleteI like using banana cream pudding, cheesecake pudding, and a graham cracker crust. But no matter what you call it. It's amazing, my family loves this desset.
ReplyDeleteI used an Oreo crust and made it non-dairy with almond milk (a little extra corn starch added to pudding mix), vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, and So Delicious brand Coco Whip with chocolate chips on top. It was a huge hit at my potluck! Thanks for the inspiration for a delicious recipe!
ReplyDeleteMy family has been making this for years. The only difference is we add a can of cherry pie filling on the top instead of nuts.
ReplyDeleteChocolate Lush is what we called it, and it is my 'go-to' for Easter gatherings. (Lemon Lush is also good in the summertime). And only the shortbread crust will do. without it....it is a different dessert. YUM!
ReplyDeleteJust finished putting this together for cards tonight . Tasted as I went and it did earn it's name . I had to wait until the cool whip thawed a little more so it would spread easier for the last layer . Thank you for bringing this back to my desserts.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it Jane! :) Thank you
DeleteWe have been making this dessert in our family for well over 50 years. At the time that a favorite aunt of ours gave my Mom this recipe, it was called "Jo's Chocolate Pie", but we never knew who "Jo" was. However, one of my S I L's gave it the name "Sin", because she said that it tasted so good that it must be sinful -- LOL! I have already made this recipe with the pistachio pudding, and it is very refreshing in the summer. I've also made it with French's Lemon Pudding, and the person who gave me that recipe called it "Lemon Lush." Whatever names you call these desserts, they are so delicious that anyone could easily eat the whole thing all by themselves.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering should the butter be room temperature or cold.
DeleteI just heard about this cake today. Catchy name I have to admit. After all the raving reviews Will have to make it real soon.
ReplyDeleteI find myself in a predicament this year when wanting to make this lovely dessert. The version that my Mom always made had chocolate and pistachio pudding in it. Always instant, of course, except that this year the only thing I could find was the cooked type of pudding. Any suggestions as I haven't worked with cooked pudding for years and this can't go into the recipe dry. Please help, Christmas is only 5 days away!! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I'm not much help. I've never worked with the cooked pudding :(
DeleteMy grandma always called it granny's dessert. She made it her whole life
ReplyDeleteI have also heard it called ice box cake but never this title lol
When I started making it, we called it Charlie Brown dessert used a chocolate pudding layer and vanilla pudding layer like his shirt. Yum to any flavor used, I like them all.
ReplyDelete