Decadent Chocolate Layer Dessert
This Decadent Chocolate Layer Dessert is chocolate from the crust to the topping. It starts with a thick oreo crust, chocolate cream cheese, chocolate ganache, chocolate pudding, chocolate whipped cream, and finally mini chocolate chips. It’s a real death by chocolate dessert and oh so delicious.

What is the difference between chocolate layer dessert, chocolate delight, chocolate lasagna, and chocolate lush?
They’re all the same dessert or variation of dessert, just different areas of the country use different terminology for it. They’re all a rich, decadent dessert with several creamy layers.
In fact I have a few posted myself such as… Strawberry Crunch Layer Dessert, Mint Chocolate Layer Dessert, Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert (super popular), Lemon Delight, Cherry Delight, Chocolate Lasagna, etc.
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
- Oreos - Leave the filling in the Oreos for this recipe.
- Cream Cheese - Use full-fat cream cheese for this recipe.
- Semi-sweet baking chocolate - The baking chocolate adds a rich chocolate flavor to the dessert.
- Powdered Sugar - This sweetens the cream cheese layer as well as helps thicken it so it holds its shape when the dessert is sliced.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - This gives the extra boost of chocolate flavor to the cream cheese layer as well as helps thicken the layer.
- Heavy whipping cream - This has two jobs in this dessert. First is to be combined with the chocolate to melt into a creamy ganache and the second job is to be whipped into a whipped cream to cream a light and fluffy cream cheese layer as well as a chocolate whipped cream topping.
- Pudding mix - Use the family size instant chocolate pudding mix for this recipe.
- Powdered Sugar - This is used to sweeten different components like the cream cheese layer and the chocolate whipped cream.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use any flavor Oreo you would like or even store-brand chocolate sandwich cookies instead of Original Oreo cookies..
- You can substitute the semi-sweet baking chocolate for milk chocolate baking chocolate, dark chocolate baking chocolate, bittersweet baking chocolate or the same variety but in chocolate chips.
- You can switch the flavor of pudding with any other flavor as long as the package is the correct size and it’s instant pudding mix.
NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations
How to Make Chocolate Layer Dessert

Step 1 - Start by making the crust. You’ll add the Oreos to a food processor and pulse until the crumbs are very fine. Pour into a bowl or leave in food processor.
Pour the melted butter in with the crumbs and stir or pulse until the crumbs are coated with butter.
Step 2 - Dump the crumbs out into a 9x13 pan and firmly and evenly press into the bottom of the pan.
Pop the pan in the fridge while you work on the next layer.

Step 3 - Next up is the cream cheese layer. Add the baking chocolate and some of the heavy whipping cream into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short intervals and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
(Pictured) Add the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat until smooth and creamy.
Step 4 - Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cocoa powder. Beat until completely incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the pan and mix in any remnants.
Step 5 - Add the cooled chocolate mixture and the remaining heavy whipping cream. Beat until the cream cheese mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 6 - Add the cream cheese layer on top of the chilled oreo crust and spread out evenly using an angled spatula. Pop back in the fridge.

Step 7 - Time to work on the pudding layer. Add the dry pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl.
Step 8 - Whisk until the mixture becomes thick. There may be some small lumps left but that’s okay.
Step 9 - Pour the pudding mixture on top of the cream cheese layer and spread out using the angled spatula. Pop back in the fridge.
Step 10 - Add a layer of chocolate ganache next. You’ll do this by first adding the chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream into a microwave-safe bowl. You can use the same one as you used earlier.
Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir after each interval until the ganache is smooth and creamy. If it took more than 1 minute, you may need to let the chocolate ganache cool a bit before adding it on top of the pudding.
(Pictured) Pour the ganache on top of the pudding and spread evenly out. Pop back in the refrigerator.

Step 11 - In a clean large mixing bowl, add in the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Beat on low speed until soft peaks form. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Step 12 - Turn the mixer up to medium/high and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
Step 13 - Add dollops of chocolate whipped cream on top of ganache. Using an angled spatula, spread the whipped cream out.
Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top as a garnish if you have any.

How to Store/Freeze
Store this dessert covered with a lid or plasti wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The dessert will start to get weepy as the days go on.
This chocolate layer dessert freezes great! Cover it with two layers of plastic wrap and a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can then place it in the fridge overnight to thaw completely.

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Chocolate Layer Dessert
Ingredients
Chocolate Cookie Crust
- 40 Oreos
- ½ cup butter melted
Chocolate Cream Cheese Layer
- 12 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate chopped
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream divided
Chocolate Pudding
- 5.85 ounce instant chocolate pudding
- 2 cups whole milk
Ganache
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
Chocolate Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips optional as a garnish
Instructions
Crust
- In a food processor, add in the Oreos with the filling still in them. Pulse until the cookies are fine crumbs.
- Pour in the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are coated with the butter.
- Pour the crust mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Firmly and evenly press the crust down into the bottom of the pan.
- Place in the fridge to firm up while working on the next layer.
Cream Cheese Layer
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add in the chopped semi-sweet baking chocolate and ¼ cup of the heavy whipping cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir after each interval until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the cream cheese. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until the cream cheese is smooth.
- Add in the cooled chocolate heavy cream mixture to the cream cheese. Beat on medium speed until combined.
- Add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Beat until incorporated. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix in any remnants.
- Add in the remaining 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract.
- Beat on low speed until the mixture is incorporated.
- Once incorporated, turn mixer up to medium/high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Evenly spread the mixture on top of the chilled crust using an angled spatula. Don’t pull straight up when pulling the spatula up, it will pull up the crust. Gently pull up while still moving the spatula so it comes up at an angle.
- Place the dessert back in the fridge.
Ganache
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add in the chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir after each interval until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, pour evenly on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Place the dessert back in the fridge until the ganache is set up.
Chocolate Pudding
- In a large bowl, add in the instant pudding and milk. Whisk until thickened.
- Spoon the pudding on top of the ganache and spread out evenly with the angled spatula.
- Place the dessert back in the fridge.
Chocolate Whipped Cream
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Beat with the hand mixer on medium speed until the whipped cream reaches soft peaks. Turn the mixer to high and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Spoon the whipped cream on top of the dessert and spread out evenly.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of the whipped cream and place in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours but preferably overnight.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)