No Bake Layered Dessert (Printable Version)
Creamy layers of crushed cookies, whipped cream and vanilla pudding—no oven needed; chill and slice.
# What You Need:
→ Base Layer
01 - 7 ounces graham crackers or digestive biscuits, crushed
02 - 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Cream Layer
03 - 1 2/3 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
04 - 1/3 cup powdered sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Pudding Layer
06 - 1 package (3.5 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
07 - 1 2/3 cups cold whole milk
→ Topping
08 - 1/3 cup chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine the crushed graham crackers with melted butter in a mixing bowl until uniformly moistened. Firmly press the mixture into the base of a 9x9 inch baking dish to form an even layer.
02 - In a separate bowl, beat the cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form.
03 - In another bowl, whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with cold whole milk for 2 minutes. Allow the pudding to stand for 5 minutes to thicken.
04 - Spread half of the whipped cream evenly over the prepared cookie base.
05 - Gently spoon the vanilla pudding on top of the whipped cream layer and smooth evenly with a spatula.
06 - Top with the remaining whipped cream, spreading to cover the pudding layer completely.
07 - Sprinkle chocolate shavings or dust with cocoa powder over the top layer if desired.
08 - Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the layers are set.
09 - Slice into portions and serve chilled.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Assembling it is as soothing as eating it—no oven, no fuss, just layers of comfort in a dish.
- The flavor combinations are endlessly adaptable, making it a hit every single time it appears at the table.
02 -
- Impatience will cost you—a warm dessert won’t slice cleanly and the layers will blur into one another.
- Switching to chocolate pudding on a whim made it an instant crowd-pleaser at my last dinner party.
03 -
- Chill your whisk and bowl before whipping cream for the fastest, fluffiest peaks.
- Use real vanilla extract, not imitation—it’s the ingredient that brings the whole thing together.