Looking to up your dessert game and want to stray away from traditional cookies, brownies, and cakes? Girdle Busters are a sinfully decadent dessert with layers of flavors and textures that are good on their own, but layered together with flavors so satisfying you'll want to eat until your waist busts open in the middle – you know, if we still wore creepy contraptions. This cool, layered dessert is perfect for any summer get-together but is perfectly satisfying in the middle of winter with all this delicious creamy goodness.
Want to try another easy-to-make dessert that's just as waist-busting? try us Chocolate TiramisuOr mix it with our fruity freshness Cherry Delight.
Why our recipe?
- A decadent 9×13 cold dessert that's sure to please a crowd.
- Perfect for making a day ahead.
- No fancy equipment needed, just a hand mixer – or a whisk and some upper arm strength.
This dessert was inspired by those who like to eat dessert, sometimes before dinner. Chopped pecans add a perfect crunch to this otherwise creamy dish, starting with a thick bottom crust that resembles pecan sandwiches. The second layer brings a cheesecake-like consistency, rich and smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. Feel free to lick the spatula after spreading this layer, it's better than licking a cake batter bowl! This is followed by a classic chocolate pudding that keeps things from being too bougy but adds the perfect amount of richness. We add a light and fluffy look and texture with a final layer of homemade whipped cream. Consider sprinkling some finely chopped pecans over the whipped cream to really round out the textures, bringing some crunchy goodness to the top of all those delicious layers.
Material notes
- Salted Butter: It gives the crust the salt it needs without using an extra ingredient. If you want to cut sodium, substitute unsalted butter.
- Flour: The base provides structure and binds the other three elements together.
- Pecans: Finely chopping these bad boys gives the whole dish a nice crunch. But, of course, if you want a simple shortbread crust, the nuts can be omitted entirely.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to the base.
- Heavy whipping cream: The higher fat content makes the whipped cream more stable.
- Sugar: The second level provides us with dessert.
- Vanilla: Why don't you add vanilla? It is the best addition to any dessert and enhances the overall taste.
- Cream Cheese: Gives the second layer a thicker consistency than the pudding layer, keeping each part of this dessert separate from the next.
- Milk: Whole milk is best for instant pudding mix.
- Instant Pudding Mix: Mixing chocolate and vanilla is our little secret. This takes the subtle vanilla flavor from the second level to the third level. Don't forget to buy the instant kind!
Layering
The bottom crust begins to bake to give it a brown crusty texture. Our second layer is rich and smooth that tastes like cheesecake, and then the chocolate pudding flavor mixes with the cream cheese layer to kick things up a notch. The final layer is a simple but delicious homemade whipped cream.
chopped pecans
Chopping pecans will create a variety of textures, especially if you chop a bit finely and leave some more chopped. Use a knife, nut chopper (these things are a fun way to get kids to help) or food processor to chop your pecans.
Sprinkle any remaining chopped pecans on top of the whipped cream layer to bring the crunch to the top.
The chef's secret
Why in the world did you mix together a box of chocolate and vanilla pudding in this recipe? Shit! It's our little chef's secret. This takes the subtle vanilla flavor from the second level to the third level.
Want more chocolate?
This recipe calls for 2 packages of instant pudding mix, but feel free to use two chocolate pudding mixes for a stronger chocolate flavor. Seriously, who doesn't love more chocolate?
Storage instructions
go ahead Combine the first 3 layers, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Add the final layer before serving.
Keep in fridge Leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
freeze Store leftovers in an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
