If you love layered desserts loaded with chocolate, cream cheese, pudding, and whipped topping, this legendary Robert Redford Dessert is about to become your newest obsession.

With its buttery pecan crust, creamy cheesecake-style filling, rich chocolate and vanilla pudding layers, and fluffy whipped topping, every bite is smooth, decadent, and completely irresistible.

This vintage dessert recipe has been a potluck favorite for decades — and after one taste, it’s easy to understand why. It’s rich without being too heavy, incredibly easy to make, and always the first dessert to disappear from the table.

Whether you know it as Robert Redford Dessert, Chocolate Lush, or the famously nicknamed “Sex in a Pan,” one thing is certain: this dreamy layered dessert is pure comfort food perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Robert Redford Dessert

Four Incredible Layers

Every layer brings something delicious:

Buttery pecan crust
Creamy cheesecake filling
Chocolate and vanilla pudding
Fluffy whipped topping

Perfect for Parties

This dessert feeds a crowd beautifully, making it ideal for holidays, potlucks, birthdays, and family gatherings.

Easy to Make Ahead

It actually tastes even better after chilling for a few hours, making it the perfect make-ahead dessert.

No Fancy Baking Skills Needed

If you can layer ingredients in a pan, you can make this dessert successfully.

Rich, Creamy & Chocolatey

Every bite is smooth, silky, crunchy, and completely satisfying.

Why Is It Called Robert Redford Dessert?

Robert Redford inspired the name because this dessert became wildly popular during the 1970s — around the same time the actor became one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs.

Originally, the dessert had playful names like:

“Almost Better Than Robert Redford”
“Next Best Thing to Robert Redford”

Eventually, it became simply known as Robert Redford Dessert.

Over the years, it has also been called:

Chocolate Lush
Sex in a Pan
Chocolate Lasagna
Better Than Sex Dessert
Chocolate Pie Squares

No matter what you call it, the layers of creamy chocolate goodness speak for themselves.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crust

All-Purpose Flour

Creates the buttery shortbread-style base.

Butter

Adds richness and helps bind the crust together.

Chopped Pecans

Give the crust delicious crunch and nutty flavor.

For the Cream Cheese Layer

Cream Cheese

Creates a smooth cheesecake-like filling.

Powdered Sugar

Sweetens the mixture while keeping it silky smooth.

Whipped Topping

Makes the layer fluffy and light.

For the Pudding Layers

Chocolate Pudding

Rich, creamy, and deeply chocolatey.

Vanilla Pudding

Balances the chocolate with sweet vanilla flavor.

For the Topping

Whipped Topping

Adds the final light and fluffy layer.

Chopped Pecans & Grated Chocolate

Perfect finishing touch for flavor and texture.

How to Make Robert Redford Dessert

This layered dessert is surprisingly simple to prepare and looks impressive every single time.

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy.

Gradually mix in:

Flour
Chopped pecans

Press the mixture firmly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Bake for about 15 minutes until lightly golden.

Allow the crust to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Layer

In a medium bowl, beat:

Softened cream cheese
Powdered sugar

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Fold in half of the whipped topping until light and fluffy.

Spread evenly over the cooled crust.

Step 3: Add the Pudding Layers

Prepare both puddings according to package directions.

Spread the chocolate pudding over the cream cheese layer.

Then gently spread the vanilla pudding on top.

Step 4: Finish with Whipped Topping

Spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the pudding layers.

Top with:

Grated chocolate
Chopped pecans

Step 5: Chill

Refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours before slicing.

This helps the layers fully set and makes serving easier.

Tips for the Best Robert Redford Dessert

Chill Between Layers

Freezing the dessert for 10–15 minutes between layers makes spreading easier and cleaner.

Use Softened Cream Cheese

Room-temperature cream cheese prevents lumps.

Don’t Skip the Chill Time

The dessert needs time to firm up properly.

Use Instant Pudding

Instant pudding works best and saves time.

Make Homemade Whipped Cream

For extra richness and flavor, homemade whipped cream is amazing here.

Add Cocoa Powder to the Crust

A tablespoon of cocoa powder creates a richer chocolate base.

Fun Variations to Try

Oreo Version

Swap the crust for crushed Oreo cookies.

Peanut Butter Twist

Mix peanut butter into the cream cheese layer.

Pistachio Lush

Use pistachio pudding instead of chocolate.

Mint Chocolate

Use mint Oreos and garnish with crushed mint candies.

Lemon Lush

Replace chocolate pudding with lemon pudding for a bright citrus version.

Individual Parfaits

Layer the dessert into small glasses for elegant single servings.

Can You Make It No-Bake?

Absolutely!

Instead of the baked pecan crust, use:

Crushed graham crackers
Oreo cookie crumbs

Mix with melted butter and refrigerate until firm.

This creates an easy fully no-bake version perfect for summer.

How to Store Robert Redford Dessert

Refrigerator

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze individual slices for up to 1 month.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes! It’s actually better after chilling overnight.

Can I use Cool Whip?

Definitely. It works perfectly and keeps the recipe easy.

What pudding works best?

Instant pudding mixes give the best texture and quickest results.

Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely. Walnuts work beautifully in the crust and topping.

Why are my layers mixing together?

The crust may not have cooled fully, or the layers may need chilling between additions.

Why Everyone Loves This Dessert

Robert Redford Dessert has stood the test of time because it delivers everything you could want in a layered dessert:

Crunchy crust
Creamy cheesecake filling
Rich chocolate pudding
Light whipped topping

Every bite is cool, creamy, chocolaty, and completely irresistible.

It’s nostalgic comfort food at its absolute best.

More Creamy Desserts You’ll Love

Banana Cream Cheesecake
Cherry Yum Yum
Dream Whip Pie
Banana Split Cake

Robert Redford Dessert Recipe Card

Ingredients

Crust

½ cup butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans

Cream Layer

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 container whipped topping, thawed

Pudding Layers

2 cups chocolate pudding
2 cups vanilla pudding

Topping

Extra whipped topping
Chopped pecans
Grated chocolate

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
Mix butter, flour, and pecans for crust.
Press into pan and bake 15 minutes.
Cool completely.
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
Fold in whipped topping and spread over crust.
Add chocolate pudding layer.
Add vanilla pudding layer.
Spread remaining whipped topping on top.
Garnish with chocolate and pecans.
Chill 3–4 hours before serving.