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Monday, July 2, 2012

Four Layer Delight

When I think of the 4th of July, I am reminded of the many summers I spent in Mississippi as a child. Every year my parents shipped my brother and I off to Lucedale Mississippi, a small southern town near the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. We would spend the entire summer with our grandparents.  I am grateful for those times because I had the opportunity to get to know my grandparents and extended family.  I spent the summer playing with cousins and running around my grandparent’s small farm.  We would spend the 4th shooting fireworks, eating barbeque, fried catfish, potato salad and plenty of desserts, like Four Layer Delight. 
Four Layer Delight is one of the desserts that evokes fond memories for me. And like its name, it is delightful. It has a pecan crust, with layers of sweet cream cheese, vanilla pudding and Cool Whip…yummy!  My grandmother would often make this during the summer because it was light and cool; perfect on a hot summer day. Every time I make a four layer delight I am reminded of those summers.



Four Layer Delight
Servings: 15
Calories: 294   Fat: 13.7   Carbohydrates: 35.5g   Protein: 5 g
Weight Watchers Points+: 9

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup margarine, softened
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 (8 ounce) package fat free cream cheese, brought to room temperature
  • 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups 2% milk

Directions
Crust:
In a bowl, cream together margarine, flour and pecans. Press into 9x13 pan. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes at 375 degrees or until very lightly browned. Cool completely.



2nd Layer:
In a bowl, cream together until smooth cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 heaping cup of the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust.

3rd Layer:
Whisk 2 boxes pudding mix and milk and allow to set up slightly. Spread over cream cheese layer.
4th Layer:
Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Keep refrigerated.

What food or dish reminds you of your childhood?

9 comments :

  1. Hi, I'm one of the cousins she would spend those summers with (Cousin Tonya). Because this dish is so light you have to eat it big bites at a time. It's delicious and it goes fast. Make yours this summer and begin making memories. Let's make new memories. Love T.

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  2. Hi Singrit. First off, you have such a lovely and different name. Second off, I am your food swap partner for July! I will be sending you an e-mail in a few minutes to find out about your likes and dislikes! I love the desert you just posted about. It looks really yummy!

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  3. Looks so good! Thanks for posting this. Can't wait to try it.

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  4. So delicious!! -- Karen

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  5. I put shredded coconut on top of the cool whip, OMG, it is so wonderfully delicious.

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    Replies
    1. That's sounds delicious, adding shredded coconut is a great idea.

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  6. my mother used to make this all the time when I was a little girl, and it reminds me so much of summertime fun anf family get togethers on Lake Michigan.,thanks for the memories,

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome!! It's wonderful how recipes and food can invoke memories from the past.

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