This Better Than Robert Redford recipe has been around for a very long time!
I remember my mother making this when I was in high school. So somewhere along the line, someone created this recipe and they thought it was so delicious that they dubbed it as “Better Than Robert Redford.”
I guess Robert Redford was kind of a big deal back in the day. I’d personally call it “Better Than George Clooney.” I’m sure everyone has their own version.
It’s a simple layered dessert with a pecan shortbread crust. The layers are made of of pudding and a creamy no-bake cheesecake layer. If things like instant pudding and Cool Whip aren’t your thing, then this is not the dessert for you.
I must say… I served this recently at a summer barbecue, and every single bite was eaten up rather quickly. It’s an easy dessert recipe that everyone seems to love.
Better Than Robert Redford
Ingredients
CRUST
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
FILLING
- One 8 ounce package cream cheese
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- One 9 ounce tub Cool Whip
- Two 3.4 ounce boxes instant vanilla or French Vanilla pudding (prepare it as directed on the package)
- Two 3.4 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding (prepare it as directed on the package)
- 1 milk chocolate bar, grated
Instructions
CRUST
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, butter and pecans.
- Press into a 13x9 inch baking dish and bake 15 to 20 minutes, until set and lightly browned. Let the crust cool completely.
FILLING
- In a small bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese with the sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the Cool Whip.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust. Then spread the vanilla pudding. Then spread the chocolate pudding. Spread remaining Cool Whip on top.
- Sprinkle with grated chocolate and serve or refrigerate and serve later. It's best if served the same day it's made.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ok gurrrrl. This is grand! Im not a fan of box pudding so i made my own..OHHH YEAH
problem is husband loves it.
Kind of a pain stirring all that homemade pudding !!!! But its sooo worth it
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! My step mom used to make this for parties and I had totally forgotten about it. I cannot wait to have a reason to make it!
My mom has this recipe and we have always shortened the name to “robert redford”. If you have never tried it, you have to make this because it is awesome. This is what I ask for every year for my birthday instead of birthday cake and I have never seen someone share the recipe on a food blog. Great recipe!!
How fun to hear that you love it too. I made this a couple of weeks ago for a summer bbq with neighbors and it was devoured so quickly that I couldn’t even snap a photo!
Made this about 30 years ago (I’m dating myself.) I’m going to make this for my Bunco group. Can’t wait!