A Gift to all of You from Daniel

Many years ago, my mother learned this approximate recipe from her club, and it was a favorite of mine on birthdays and at Christmas through my teen years. (No, I am afraid bulemia was never a tendency of mine) After I had children and they grew enough for the pediatrician to ok the nuts and the chocolate, this became a favorite of theirs as well. Daniel was thrilled each Christmas when I would whip up a batch.
The recipe which follows is very close to the original, which was at one time on the side of a pudding box. However, now our family adds a few walnuts and skips the crust, along with using neufchatel (lower calorie) cream cheese, lite cool whip, and reduced fat milk. You could even try sugar free puddings. I promise the final product is still wonderful.

Daniel's Favorite Rich
FOUR LAYER PUDDING DESSERT

FIRST LAYER;
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 stick melted butter
Combine all ingredients in a bowl; scatter the crust mixture over the bottom of a 9x13 in baking pan and press together to form a crust. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool.

SECOND LAYER;
1 -8 ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar(optional)
8 ounces of whipped topping, thawed ( like Cool Whip)
Mix together the cream cheese and sugar; then fold in the whipped topping. Place spoonfuls of this mixture all over the cooled crust. Gently spread out the cream cheese to cover the crust, taking care to not break the crust.

THIRD LAYER;
2 packages of instant chocolate pudding (or other flavor of choice)
3 cups of milk
Combine pudding mixes and milk and stir until well blended and thick. Spoon pudding over cream cheese layer and carefully spread it out. (Try one chocolate mixed with one vanilla, for a milk chocolate taste)

FOURTH LAYER;
One regular package of thawed whipped topping or you could use half, to taste.
Add nuts, or chocolate to put on top, if desired
Spread topping evenly over the pudding layer. Top with nuts, chocolate shavings or sifted cocoa, if desired. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
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This is Andrew Gunadie and Julia Bentley, who are a known in the You Tube world as singular artists, Gunnarola and Honeychip.
This particular video was recorded just a couple of weeks after Daniel's passing.