Sex in a Pan
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Sex in a Pan – crazy name for a dessert, but it’s one of the best desserts you’ll ever have, it’s mostly a pudding dessert with a crunchy pecan bottom crust.
Over 5 years ago I shared this amazing dessert with you and you guys loved it! It’s one of my most popular recipes on Jo Cooks and there’s a reason for that. It’s incredible, it’s decadent and luscious.
I thought it’s the perfect time to share this with you again with some updated pictures and a video. With Valentine’s day only a couple days away, I think this dessert will be spot on for that special day with a name like sex in a pan.
WHY IS IT CALLED SEX IN A PAN
The name itself is hilarious for a dessert, and hundreds of you have commented on here telling me all the other names that this pudding dessert goes by. I think it’s called sex in a pan because it’s six layers and from six layers in a pan it got it’s sex in a pan.
A long time ago, before I was married, my friend came over on a weekend and made this dessert for me. I had no idea what it was, but she promised me I was going to love it so we made it.
We did not come up with the name, that is the name that it was known to her and her mom had been making it for her for as long as she could remember. I think this dessert has really been around for decades but it still popular, not because of its name but because it really is incredible.
That first day we made this dessert I fell in love with it. I had never had anything like it before. It was so easy to make and so good.
WHAT IS SEX IN A PAN
Sex in a pan is a layered dessert. The bottom layer is the crust made with pecans, flour and butter. The next layer is a layer of cream cheese sweetened with powdered sugar and made fluffier with whipped cream. Then you have a layer of chocolate pudding, then another layer of vanilla pudding and top it off with whipping cream and then lastly you sprinkle it with chocolate. Does that not sound good?
And don’t worry about it looking perfect with perfect layers, this dessert is not about that. It will look sloppy with all the pudding and whipped cream layers. Nobody will care about how it looks like once they take a bite. It really is love at first bite.
I just had to share this wonderful dessert with you again because every single time I make it people fall in love with it and so many of them tell me it’s the best dessert they’ve ever had. Trust me, that’s the best compliment you can get for such a simple dessert. Have you guys had this before? Isn’t it to die for?
CRAVING MORE SEXY DESSERTS? TRY THESE:
- Better Than Sex Cake
- Tres Leches Cake
- Easy Tiramisu
- Apple Pie Cake
- No Bake Banana Pudding Dessert
- Luscious Lemon Pudding
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Sex in a Pan
Prep: 45 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 1 hr 5 mins
Serves: 12
Sex in a Pan – crazy name for a dessert, but it’s one of the best desserts you’ll ever have, it's mostly a pudding dessert with a crunchy pecan bottom crust.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Cream cheese layer
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup icing sugar use 1/2 cup for less sweetness
- 1 cup cool whip or whipped cream
Vanilla pudding
- 5.1 oz instant vanilla pudding
- 2 cups milk
Chocolate Pudding
- 5.1 oz instant chocolate pudding
- 2 cups milk
Toppings
- 2 cups cool whip or whipped cream
- shaved chocolate optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
- Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a mixer mix all the crust ingredients together and press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake it for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare the vanilla pudding as per the instructions on the package. As noted I used 2 cups of milk instead of the 3 cups on the package instructions to get a firmer pudding.
- Prepare the chocolate pudding as per the instructions on the package. As noted I used 2 cups of milk instead of the 3 cups on the package instructions to get a firmer pudding.
- In a mixer add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and the cup of whipped cream. Mix until light and fluffy.
- Let the crust cool. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust evenly. Spread the vanilla pudding over the cream cheese layer, then the chocolate pudding. Spread the whipped cream as the last layer then top with shaved chocolate if preferred.
- Refrigerate for a couple hours until it sets before serving.
Video
Recipe Notes
- I used 2 cups of milk for my pudding, because I wanted a firmer pudding for the layers here, but feel free to use 3 cups of milk just as the instructions say.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 446kcal (22%)Carbohydrates: 53g (18%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 24g (37%)Saturated Fat: 11g (69%)Cholesterol: 52mg (17%)Sodium: 359mg (16%)Potassium: 227mg (6%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 38g (42%)Vitamin A: 660IU (13%)Vitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 142mg (14%)Iron: 0.9mg (5%)
Products you’ll need:
Originally Shared March 2012:
Donna MacCullouch says
I really want to make this for Christmas family dinner. Can I make it ahead of time and freeze it? I am thinking yes, since you can freeze cheesecake but I need an expert opinion. Thank you
jo says
Yes, I have frozen this before and it holds just fine!
Teresa Dominici says
Such a great recipe, I made this so many times, it also works without the pecan crust, Instead I use the graham crackers and is still so yummy.
Debbie Leonard says
I made this dessert tonight for my little ol’ ladies Bunco party tomorrow. The recipe is so easy and the directions were written perfectly. (Special thanks for that, Jo). I did use a little more whip cream…..just because. I made a small one for hubby and he said it is delicious. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes and of course, I will sign up for your news letter.
Jo Cooks Team says
That’s great to hear! Sounds like a fun party 🙂
Marley Herrick says
Is there a way to make this for someone with a tree-nut allergy? Perhaps graham cracker instead of nuts?
Jo Cooks Team says
For sure!
Phil says
We have made this recipe since 1950 but called it Mississippi Mud.
Christina says
This was an amazing and simple dessert to make. The whole family loved it. I used sugar free pudding and 1/2 cup powder sugar and it was just sweet and rich enough for me. My family doesn’t eat sugar on a regular basis. Loved it and will make it again.
Beth Patras says
Can it be frozen?
jo says
Yes!
Cheri Marx says
I have had this recipe since the early 80’s. Always have lived it.
Jason t says
I used this recipe for a chocolate challenge baking competition at my work. Only 11 people signed up for it but it won 2nd place! I changed the pecans for walnuts since pecans are really expensive in my area. Thank you for the great recipe. Everyone that tried it loved it!
Jay H. says
Can you use something else instead of the cream cheese? For people with lactose issues, that is.
jo says
You can use a lactose free cream cheese or skip it and maybe just replace it with another pudding layer. There’s also lactose free milk you can use for the puddings.
Layla says
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans
Jo Cooks Team says
Yes you can 🙂
Layla says
Thank you
Melissa G Welch says
One of my favorites . My mother in law at the time gave me this recipe over 30 years ago . She called it chocolate heaven , I guess she was a little to religious to call sex in a pan…lol The best part is the crust , it amazes me how just 3 ingredients can taste so wonderful …I highly recommend this dessert .
Luana Brkic says
My pudding instructions say to use 2 cups. Do I need to cut it back even more?
Luana Brkic says
Ah I see your pudding boxes are bigger than mine. I guess I’ll have to make two and then measure out the right amount.
jo says
You could use the amount they require, but I just like the pudding here to be a bit firmer. Up to you though.
Liz says
I plan on making this for dessert Sunday. My husband hates cool whip, can I use cans of ready whip – whipped cream or do I need to actually whip the cream myself? And if I can use the cans, would the quantity be the same?
Joanna Cismaru says
I don’t think the cans of ready whipped cream would work, from my experience with it, it doesn’t hold too well. I would buy whipping cream and whip it myself.
Louise Bichler says
How’ve much whipping cream
jo says
You’ll need about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of whipping cream.