Puddin' Bars

You will dirty a lot of dishes with this recipe, but it is easy and wonderful.  I love the fact that you can make it your own by adding the flavors you like best, like your favorite candy bar, your favorite fruit, nuts, texture or smooth.  You can also lighten it up if you like with diet puddings and light whipped cream. What ever your heart desires.  

Crust

1 cup pecans, chopped

3 tbsp white sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 cup flour

Cream cheese layer

1 8 oz package cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup whipped cream or cool whip

Vanilla pudding layer

1 package of instant vanilla pudding (5.1 oz.)

3 cups milk

Chocolate Pudding layer

1 package of instant chocolate pudding (5.1 oz.)

3 cups milk

Top layer

2 cups whipped cream or cool whip

Shaved chocolate or your favorite crushed candy bar

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

Spray a 9 × 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix all the crust ingredients together and press the mixture into the sprayed 9 X 13 pan.

Bake it for about 20 minutes.

Prepare the vanilla pudding as per the instructions on the package. 

Prepare the chocolate pudding as per the instructions on the package.

Using a hand mixer add the room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar and the cup of whipped cream. Mix until light and fluffy.

Let the crust cool. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust evenly.

Spread the chocolate pudding over the cream cheese filling, then the vanilla pudding over the chocolate.

Top with the whipped cream and sprinkle with your favorite crushed chocolate candy bar.

Refrigerate for a couple hours so that it sets.

Variations – You may change up on the puddings.  Try banana pudding and top with sliced banana keeping the chocolate pudding layer in or strawberry pudding and top with strawberries. 

Leave out the chocolate layer and flavor your vanilla pudding with a little cherry juice from Marciano cherry jar (replace some of the milk with the juice) and top with cherries and nuts. 

I love the texture of tapioca pudding.  Try a layer of vanilla and chocolate tapioca pudding and swirl them together for a marbled look.

Do you like mint?  Andes makes creme De Menthe baking chips.  Add a little mint extract to the chocolate pudding and then sprinkle the baking chips on the top.  

Walk the pudding isle and start looking at the flavors.  Create your own puddin’ bar. 

Jello makes:

Candy Cane

Ginger Bread

Oreo Pudding

Butterscotch

Coconut Cream

Sugar Free

Pistachio

Think of German Chocolate cake with coconut and pecans.   Think S’mores and make a graham cracker crust and put a layer of marshmallow fluff as a layer instead of whipped cream.

Try replacing the chocolate with butterscotch and drizzle the top with caramel sauce. Chop up a Heath candy bar and sprinkle on top.  My mind just goes crazy with the possibilities.  

Have a great Friday.  Weather is making want to be outside so that is my plan.  Be happy and may God bless you and yours.