Description
Peanut Butter Layered Delight is a no-bake, multi-layered dessert featuring crunchy peanut butter sandwich cookies, creamy layers of cream cheese and whipped topping, a rich peanut butter pudding mix, and a decadent peanut butter chip topping. Perfectly chilled and slightly frozen before serving, this treat delivers a luscious peanut butter experience with a delightful texture contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer
- 16 ounces peanut butter sandwich cookies (approximately 22 cookies)
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping
Peanut Butter Pudding Layer
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup whipped topping
Topping
- 2 cups whipped topping
- 0.5 cup peanut butter chips
- 8 reserved whole peanut butter cookies, chopped
- 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch glass baking dish and set aside.
- Base Layer: Arrange a single layer of peanut butter sandwich cookies evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish; reserve remaining cookies for topping.
- Make Cream Cheese Layer: Beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 cup whipped topping until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Cream Cheese Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cookie base, then chill in the freezer for 15 minutes to set.
- Prepare Pudding Layer: Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with whole milk until it begins to thicken.
- Combine Peanut Butter & Whipped Topping: Fold creamy peanut butter and 1 cup whipped topping into the pudding mixture using a whisk or hand mixer until fully incorporated.
- Spread Pudding Layer: Spread the peanut butter mixture over the chilled cream cheese layer and return to the freezer for an additional 15 minutes to firm up.
- Add Final Toppings: Gently layer the remaining 2 cups whipped topping on top, then sprinkle with peanut butter chips, chopped reserved cookies, and drizzle with melted creamy peanut butter.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate for 30 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes prior to serving to achieve optimal texture and flavor melding.
Notes
- Use a glass baking dish to monitor chilling layers effectively.
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cream cheese layer.
- Instant pudding mix thickens quickly; prepare right before use.
- For best texture, chill the layers as directed rather than skipping straight to refrigeration.
- Peanut butter chips add a crunchy contrast but can be substituted with chopped peanuts or chocolate chips if desired.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow the dessert to sit at room temperature 10 minutes before serving if refrigerated for firmer spoonability.
