I wish there was a way to make trumpets sound when this page is opened.  This dessert recipe is hands down the favorite of the Earnest household.  My step-dad's mom made this when I was a kid and I remember wanting to steal it and run away to have it all to myself.  Not because I had serious issues, but because she would serve us about a 3" square.  WOMP WOMP WOMP.  I swore one day when I had my own family I would serve ridiculously huge portions and I am proud to say I have lived up to that.  I won't lie, this one isn't the quickest recipe and it's a mess in the kitchen but I promise it's worth it!

Four Layer Delight
serves from 1-10 people depending on who's eating it

Ingredients

Layer 1

• 1 1/2 cups of white flour (any kind is fine)
• 1 stick of salted butter - softened
• 2 cups of chopped pecan pieces

Layer 2

• 2 - 8 oz blocks of cream cheese - room temperature
• 1 Large tub of cool whip - thawed
• 1 cup of powdered sugar

Layer 3

• 2 small boxes of instant or quick chocolate jello pudding mix (NOT the kind you have to cook!)
• 3 1/2 cups of cold milk

Layer 4

• 1 large tub of cool whip - thawed
• 1/2 cup of chopped pecan pieces

Directions

Layer 1

• Pre-heat oven to 350°
• Mix flour, butter and pecan pieces
• In a casserole dish press flour mixture into bottom of pan
• Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes, watching closely.  It will be done when edges are golden brown.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool completely, you can also place in fridge to speed cooling up.

Layer 2

• Beat cream cheeses, cool whip and powdered sugar on high until completely mixed and fluffy.
• Once cooled add many heaping spoonfuls of layer 2 onto crust.  (like dots) Be very careful not to spread layer two too roughly as it will destroy layer one.  You can avoid this by placing many "blobs" of the cream cheese layer onto the crust.

Layer 3

• In a clean bowl mix chocolate pudding and cold milk on high until thickened.  Start by adding a little milk at a time so you can be sure to not make this layer too runny but also not too thick.
• Using the same technique and care as with layer 2, add blobs of the chocolate pudding mixture onto the white cream cheese layer, gently spreading to cover.

Layer 4

• Spread cool whip
• Sprinkle with pecan pieces

Chill for several hours before serving and then bask in the glow of the love everyone has for you for making it.

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With love and second helpings,

Without a doubt, this recipe for no-bake cookies is a family favorite, if not THE family favorite.
I believe Nana gave me this recipe years ago. To be honest I just google it each time I make it because it's such a common recipe.  This version is from food.com

Chocolate No-Bake Cookies - AKA Dump Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions

• In a medium sized pot melt butter and stir in sugar, milk and cocoa powder.  Once mixture comes to a boil allow to boil for 1 minute stirring constantly and then remove from heat.
• Stir in oats and add creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
• Spoon cookies onto wax or parchment paper and allow to cool before devouring.

Love,