The Best Robert Redford Dessert
Robert Redford Dessert (Next Best Thing)
We were saddened to learn of the passing of legendary actor Robert Redford on September 16, 2025, at age 89. I’ve always loved Robert Redford movies—my personal favorite is The Way We Were—so sharing this nostalgic Robert Redford dessert (also known as the Next Best Thing to Robert Redford) feels extra special today.
What Is Robert Redford Dessert?
This creamy, layered pudding dessert became famous as The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford. My husband’s family introduced it to me and, after that, no holiday was complete without it. When we shared it with readers back in 2012, we learned it’s known nationwide by many names: Better Than Anything Dessert, Almost Better Than Sex Dessert, Chocolate Lush, Lemon Lush, and Four-Layer Dessert. Whatever you call it, the combo of a nutty shortbread crust, sweetened cream cheese, chocolate-vanilla pudding, and fluffy whipped topping is pure nostalgia—and it always disappears fast at potlucks.
Ingredients & Other Names
We grew up calling it Four-Layer Dessert (we joked it was “For Later” because our parents made us wait for it to chill!). Some readers love a lemon version (often called Aileen Torte or Lemon Lush) by swapping chocolate pudding for lemon pudding. Either way, the classic Robert Redford dessert recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for potlucks, BBQs, holidays, and birthdays.
Read more about Robert Redford’s life and legacy.
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Preparing the Crust
Chop pecans (by hand or in a food processor) and mix with flour and softened butter until crumbly. Press into a greased 13×9 pan. Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
Tip: The crust mix is sticky—spray your spatula with cooking spray so it spreads easily. While the crust cools (about 45 minutes), prep the next layers.
Adding the Cream Cheese Layer
Beat softened cream cheese with sugar and half a carton of whipped topping until smooth and fluffy. Spread over the cooled crust.
Adding the Pudding Layer
Whisk chocolate and vanilla instant pudding mixes with cold milk until thickened. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the dry chocolate pudding for dusting. Spread the pudding mixture over the cream cheese layer; chill the mixture briefly if it needs to set up more. It should be thick but spreadable
Adding the Final Layer
Spread the remaining whipped topping on top. For a pretty finish, dust with the reserved chocolate pudding and add chocolate curls (use a veggie peeler).
How to Make Robert Redford Dessert (Step by Step)
- Crust: Pecans + flour + butter → bake 15–20 minutes at 350°F; cool completely.
- Cream cheese: Cream cheese + sugar + whipped topping → spread over crust.
- Pudding: Chocolate + vanilla instant pudding + cold milk → whisk, thicken, spread.
- Topping: Whipped topping + optional cocoa/pudding dust + chocolate curls.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate 2–4 hours for clean slices.
Serving Ideas
- Holidays: The classic showstopper on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dessert tables.
- BBQs & potlucks: Serve chilled in squares with extra chocolate curls or mini chips.
- Make it fancy: Pipe rosettes of whipped topping and add a few crushed pecans on top.
Storage & Freezing Tips
- Fridge: Cover tightly and refrigerate for 3–4 days. Layers firm up and slice cleaner on Day 2.
- Freezer: Not ideal due to pudding texture, but you can freeze tightly wrapped slices for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge; expect a softer texture.
- Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance; add curls/dusting just before serving.
Tips, Swaps & Make-Ahead
- Lower sugar option: Use sugar-free pudding mixes and light whipped topping to reduce sugar without losing the creamy layers. You can also use a low-sugar cookie crust instead of the traditional flour and pecan crust.
- Nut-free: Swap pecans for crushed shortbread cookies or graham crackers (no nuts).
- Lemon lush: Use lemon pudding in place of chocolate + vanilla.
- Clean slices: Chill well and wipe the knife between cuts.
FAQ
Why is it called “The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford”?
It’s a playful nickname from decades ago because the dessert is irresistibly good—fans gave it a Hollywood spin. You’ll also see it called Chocolate Lush or Four-Layer Dessert.
Can I make Robert Redford dessert without nuts?
Yes. Replace the pecan crust with a graham cracker or shortbread cookie crust.
How long does it last?
Covered in the fridge, it keeps 3–4 days. The layers actually slice cleaner on Day 2.
What Our Readers Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “That crust was amazing! I’ve never made a pecan crust before & we all loved it! Plus the thick layers were very indulgent, yet easy. Thanks for such a wonderful dessert!” – Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Have been enjoying this Robert Redford dessert since the 1970’s! Truly indulgent. Nothing is better, especially at Thanksgiving. Variations sound interesting (except for peanut butter one…..yes I do like peanut butter) but I am not really into changing Robert Redford. It is a classic and a tradition for us! Enjoy! It’s worth the calories! 😊😜😊” – Reader Review
Peanut Butter Variation
If you’re a peanut butter lover, try a playful twist: use peanut butter pudding instead of the chocolate/vanilla layer, then garnish with chopped peanut butter cups or a warm peanut butter drizzle. It’s not the classic, but it’s a fun take for peanut butter fans.
Watchable recipe
Printable recipe
The Next Best Thing To Robert Redford
Equipment
- 9x13-inch pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup butter or margarine softened
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 package 3.4 ounce vanilla instant pudding
- 1 package 3.9 ounce chocolate instant pudding, with 1 teaspoon reserved for garnish
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 chocolate bar grated (optional, but makes it look pretty!)
Instructions
- Mix flour, butter, and pecans until crumbly and use a spatula sprayed with cooking spray to press into a greased 9x13 baking pan (see notes).
- Bake at 350°F/175°C for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside to cool (about 45 minutes).
- In the meantime, beat cream cheese, sugar, and half container of cool whip until smooth.
- Spread over cooled crust.
- Reserve 1 teaspoon of chocolate pudding mix to sprinkle over the top of finished dessert.
- Combine both the vanilla and chocolate pudding powders with 3 cups cold milk. Blend until smooth and thickened. Spread over cream cheese layer.
- Spread remaining cool whip over the top and sprinkle with reserved chocolate pudding mix and the grated chocolate bar.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
This classic Robert Redford dessert—the beloved Next Best Thing to Robert Redford—is creamy, nostalgic, and always a hit. It’s a sweet way to remember one of Hollywood’s greats while sharing something special with the people you love. If you make it, tell us what you call it and leave a rating—your comments help other readers!
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Hmmm, looks yummy enough but I don’t think anything can be better than Robert Redford!!!
I would have to name it “Next best thing to Steve Young” lol
That is what our family calls Chocolate Delight. It’s a REQUIREMENT that we have this at every thxgvng n Christmas gathering on my moms side of the family. I like it with Graham cracker crust myself.
We call it Chocolate Delight, too! 🙂 AND, I also started using graham cracker crust instead. I like it better that way. Too funny!
It is one of my favorite desserts. I could eat the whole pie.
We make it with a crushed Oreo crust. It’s truly sinful.
I have substituted lemon pudding for the chocolate, and it’s called “Lemon Delight.”
THANK YOU for this. I was looking for something new and simply and I do believe this is the winner. Can’t wait to eat it. My thighs thank you too.
We’ve been making this for years and love it. For a great variation use 2 pkgs. Pistachio pudding. Lemon is also wonderful. We like it slightly frozen too. Yummy.
Oh My Gosh!!! I love this dessert!! We make it every year!
We have always called this 4 layer dessert..but I prefer your name so much better…lol…This is awesome with butterscotch pudding!!
My mom makes this with sugar free stuff. It’s great for people who can’t have sugar in their diet.
This is a holiday staple at our house…. with the same name, I might ad! EVERYONE should take the time to try this dessert…. or not, if you are dieting! LOL
Oh this is what we call better than sex cake. A staple at our house for
new years parties!
My husband’s family calls this recipe husband’s delight
We call this recipe “Chocolate Pie Squares.” I guess Chocolate Pie Squares is easier to say than Chocolate Pudding Squares! I have made this for years and it always gets rave reviews!
My cousin makes a lemon version of this called Lemon Lush, with the pecan nut crust. Oh boy, is it luscious! This chocolate version looks yummy too. I’ll have to try it. I have cream cheese just waiting in my fridge.
No one makes this better than my mom! 🙂
Yum!
I’d call it “The Next Best Thing To Brad Pitt”!
Our very old recipe says it’s called “Four Layered Dessert”, but our family renamed it “Texas Yum Yum”
My mom made this pie every once in a while when i was a kid. So yummy!
We call this Fat Man Pie!!!! Now I want one but no time to make it 🙁
My mother-in-law makes this and she calls it “Plush”. We love it. Over the years she has modified it some. In my favorite version she completely cuts out the pudding and adds fresh sliced sugared strawberries. Absolutely delicious!
wow! my family calls this Michigan dessert too! how weird is that. so glad you posted this =)
WE MAKE THIS! It is delicious and this is what we call it too! ive never known anyone to have any idea what we are talking about!
Also named “Republican Dessert” – I grew up on this dish at church potlucks and it was ALWAYS one of the first dishes to get eaten up! Making it for Christmas this year and can hardly wait…. 🙂 🙂
Oh how I love this dessert!! I never knew so many people knew about it hahaha we call it three layer dessert…… not counting the crust I suppose… not sure but my mom made it my entire life for all holiday events 🙂 it is so awesome to see everyone’s names and different variations 🙂 love ♥
This is so good! We call it “Arizona Yum Yum” over here. And we use the graham cracker crust.
When I was a kid I remember it being called “Better than S-E-X dessert,” said just like that because my mom, grandmother, aunts, etc. always spelled it out and blushed when they said it! Jello used to make a Butter Pecan pudding and that is still my favorite variation aside from pistachio, which is a close second.
Our family has been making this since the 70’s and we also call it next best thing to Robert Redford. You are the first ones that I have found that call it the same thing! Its one of my favorites. Its also really good it you use thickened fresh raspberries instead of the chocolate pudding.
My husbands family calls this Dallas Delight and no holiday is complete without it.
We call it Aileen Torte and make it w/chocolate & lemon. My absolute favorite dessert!!!!!!!!!!!
Better than sex is what I’ve always heard it called. This is what I served at my wedding reception 24 years ago.
so excited to make this! there is no such thing as a “6 3/4 oz. box of pudding.” does this recipe use 2 large or 2 small pudding boxes…thanks!
We call it “better than sex cake” it’s very good…I don’t agree with the statement though lol!
Better than Sex in a Pan, YUM!
My friend’s mom used to make this, but I never had the recipe till now, so thanks! I’d call it “The Next Best Thing to Ryan Gosling.” ;o)
I have a question about the recipe! I am allergic to nuts, so what do I need to do in relation to the crust? Will it turn out too mushy or soft w/o the nuts?
Wow! This desert not only looks like it tastes really good, but sounds rather versatile and easy, and it has even started a whole conversation about itself. lol Can’t wait to try this easy recipe with the kids! Maybe the next one we can add our of tweaks to it.
I love this Texas Yum Yum, but have also heard it called “Hippo Delight”
Call it what you will, OH MY GOODNESS, it’s rich, and thick and chocolatey…
Ooh, I can try it with cherries, im sure someone will eat it 😀
My mom also made it with pistachio pudding and it was my favorite!
Do you use real sugar or powder sugar!! ??? I saw one Receipes used the powdered sugar!!
Hello. Has anyone tried this using a peanut butter/chocolate version? 😊
Oh man, I’ve never heard of a chocolate/peanut butter version but that sounds divine! I’m assuming you’d just melt the peanut butter and pour it in the poked cake? OR do you mix peanut butter with the sweetened condensed milk?
Have been enjoying this Robert Redford dessert sine the 1970’s! Truly indulgent. Nothing is better, especially at Thanksgiving. Variations sound interesting (except for peanut butter one…..yes I do like peanut butter) but I am not really into bastardizing Robert Redford. It is a classic and a tradition for us! Enjoy! It’s eorth the calories! 😊😜😊
You actually need 2 SMALL boxes of pudding, not the 5 ounce boxes indicated in the recipe. That would make it way too thick and dried out. I’ve made this recipe like a hundred and fifty times. Lol. My favorite dessert ever!!!
That crust was amazing! I’ve never made a pecan crust before & we all loved it! Plus the thick layers were very indulgent, yet easy. Thanks for such a wonderful dessert!
Hi SG! So glad you loved it! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! 🙂
Fabulous dessert! I just made it for a Father’s Day and used butterscotch pudding! So yummy!
Nice variation there, Judy! Thanks for sharing – glad you enjoyed!
My mother called it next best thing to Clark Gable, it’s always Good !!!