Brownie Delight

Short on time, but still want to make something exciting for a party? This brownie delight checks both boxes. It starts with a brownie base made from a box mix, then tops it with three distinct layers of sweetened cream cheese, instant chocolate pudding and whipped topping, then a flourish of pecans. It’s so easy to put together, offering a “semi-homemade” dessert option that looks and tastes impressive. This is one of our favorite ways to make boxed brownies taste better with hardly any extra effort.

Ingredients for Brownie Delight

• Brownie mix: Using one of the best brownie mixes keeps this recipe quick and easy.
• Cream cheese: Remove the cream cheese from the fridge 30 minutes beforehand so it can soften. Softening the cream cheese allows it to be whipped up easily, knocking out lumps and fluffing up without resistance.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar dissolves easily and without heat, so it’s a great sweetener for the cream cheese layer.
• Whipped topping: Find whipped topping in the frozen aisle and let it thaw before use.
• Milk: Cold 2% milk activates the instant pudding mix. You can use whole milk instead, but I’d avoid using anything with a lower fat percentage than 2% or the pudding might be runny.
• Instant pudding mix: It’s imperative you buy “instant” pudding mix, not “cook-and-serve” pudding mix. The latter must be cooked for it to set up, and it doesn’t develop the same consistency as instant pudding.
• Pecans: I always like to take the time to toast nuts to bring out their sweet butteriness. Allow them to cool completely before sprinkling them onto the whipped topping, or they will melt it.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the brownies

Prepare and bake the brownies according to the package directions. Cool the brownies completely to room temperature on a wire rack.

Editor’s Tip: Avoid adding any of the other layers until the brownies are fully cooled to room temperature. Even the slightest hint of warmth will melt the additional layers.

Step 2: Add the cream cheese layer

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until they’re smooth and creamy.

Fold in 2 cups of the thawed whipped topping.

Use a mini offset spatula, the back of a spoon or a butter knife to spread the cream cheese layers over the brownies.

Step 3: Prepare the pudding

In a small bowl, whisk together the cold 2% milk and the dry instant pudding mix for two minutes. Refrigerate the pudding for five minutes, then spread it evenly over the cream cheese layer.

Step 4: Finish with the whipped topping and nuts

Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer, then decorate the top with the pecans.

Chill the brownie delight until you’re ready to serve it.

Editor’s Tip: Keep the brownie delight covered in the fridge. The whipped topping is prone to absorbing lingering fridge smells.

Brownie Delight Variations

• Change the pudding: For an easy flavor change, replace the chocolate pudding with vanilla, pistachio, banana, butterscotch or white chocolate pudding. Always make sure you’re using instant pudding mix, not cook-and-serve.
• Use homemade brownies: Have a favorite brownie recipe? Use it! Just make sure it makes a tray of 13×9-inch brownies. If the recipe only makes enough for an 8×8-inch pan, double it.
• Try a blondie base: Blondies are reminiscent of a chocolate chip cookie without the chocolate chips. They have notes of caramel, vanilla and butter, and make a great base for this brownie delight. Be sure the blondie recipe makes enough to fill a 13×9-inch pan. If you want to make this recipe completely chocolate-free, omit the chocolate pudding for vanilla, pistachio, banana, butterscotch or white chocolate instant pudding mix.
• Include mix-ins: Feel free to add all sorts of mix-ins to this recipe. Try mini chocolate chips, banana slices or chopped candy bars like Reese’s or Snickers. Fold them into the cream cheese layer just after mixing it and before spreading it onto the brownies.

How to Store Brownie Delight

Brownie delight can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to three days. You can keep it in its pan or, if only a few bars are leftover, transfer slices to an airtight container to make room in the fridge.

Can you make brownie delight ahead of time?

Yes, you can make brownie delight ahead of time. Either fully assemble the dessert the day before serving it, or just bake the brownies ahead of time and add the other layers the day of serving. A fully assembled brownie delight must be kept covered and refrigerated, but the baked brownies can be kept covered at room temperature for two to three weeks.

Brownie Delight Tips

Can you make brownie delight in a different-sized pan?

Yes, you can make brownie delight in a different-sized pan. Instead of a 13×9-inch pan, bake the brownies and build the layers evenly between two 9-inch round cake pans.

How do you make brownie delight gluten-free?

To make brownie delight gluten-free, simply replace the brownie mix with a gluten-free brownie mix, or make gluten-free brownies from scratch. (If you want, use our gluten-free brownie recipe; just be sure to double it so it bakes in the 13×9-inch pan). For anyone particularly sensitive, ensure all the packaged goods, like the pudding mix and whipped topping, are certified gluten-free, too.

How do you serve brownie delight?

Serve brownie delight chilled from the fridge. If desired, add a little chocolate sauce or hot fudge to each slice. Red wines like sweet sherry, port or dry merlot are lovely pairings, as are white dessert wines like sauternes or moscato d’Asti.