Food Friday - Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert

Peanut Butter Chocolate Desseret
adapted from Key Ingredient

 This dessert was a Ten!  For real!  Wow!  I'm a huge fan of the Chocolate pudding dessert with the layer of cream cheese goodness topped with chocolate pudding but this variation is even better.  The cool whip folded into each layer adds a lightness to it but the peanut butter, peanut butter cups and pudding mix add a richness that cannot be beat.  It is a top favorite in this house - even the boys loved it and they are not huge sweet eaters (they even licked the bowl after each layer ;-) ) 

 

Ingredients

20

chocolate cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, divided

2

tablespoons butter, softened

1

package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

½

cup peanut butter

1-½

cups confectioners' sugar, divided

1

carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

15

miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

1

cup cold milk

1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate fudge pudding mix Directions Crush 16 cookies; toss with the butter. Press into an ungreased 9-in. square dish; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter and 1 cup confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with peanut butter cups. In another large bowl, beat the milk, pudding mix and remaining confectioners' sugar on low speed for 2 minutes Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in remaining whipped topping. Spread over peanut butter cups. Crush remaining cookies; sprinkle over the top. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours. Yield: 12-16 servings.