Fat Man’s Delight-luscious layers of cheesecake filling, chocolate pudding and cool whip all on top of a pecan crust. Can easily be made low sugar/calorie.
We have to talk about this dessert. I can’t stand the name, Fat Man’s Delight. Honestly, I feel like I’m being insulting, so everyone, please do not take offence. I tried to think of a better name for this dessert. 4-layer delight. Cheesecake, Pudding, Coolwhip Dessert?
The name couldn’t just have chocolate in the name. It’s so much more than chocolate. And it couldn’t just be about the cheesecake, although I do love the cheesecake layer.
What makes this dessert so good is how all the flavors blend together in your mouth, not overpowering each other, fighting for the attention of your taste buds. So I just left the name alone. It’s what we’ve always called it.
You wanna know the real surprise flavor in this dessert? It’s the crust. No sugar in it so it completely balances the sweetness from the other layers. Those crunchy pecans are the perfect foundation to build this dessert on.
You can easily make this dessert a dieter’s dream. Just a few simple substitutions. Use sugar free pudding mix and the lower fat cream cheese and cool whip. Change out the powdered sugar for artificial sweetener and no one will ever notice the difference.
recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.comFat Man’s Delight
Ingredients
for the crust
cheesecake layer
pudding layer
Instructions
Notes
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Eldonna Ashley says
July 22, 2013 at 8:52 pmWe call the first dessert “Lucky if There is Any Left.” I have also heard it galled “Lush.” It is delicious made with lemon pudding, homemade butterscotch pudding, and even pistachio pudding. I use the pistachio pudding for St. Patrick’s Day. It is an excellent dessert.
Joan Hayes says
July 22, 2013 at 11:09 pmOMG! I love the idea of the Lemon Pudding!
Kalamity Kelli says
July 24, 2013 at 7:20 amThis is one of my all-time favorite desserts! I remember the first time I ever had it when my aunt brought it to a family gathering during the hot summer. I’m so happy you made it Lighter!!
Rita Abfall says
July 29, 2013 at 11:56 pmOMGoodness!!! I make this exact same recipe but instead of pecans I use walnuts. My Dad gave me the recipe when I first got married (11 years ago) and have made it on several occasions for extended family get togethers, or for friends. Always gotten rave reviews on this super yummy desert. I’ve never seen another person who had the same recipe….we call it Louisiana Yummy. No clue where then name came from, but since you don’t like the “Fat Man’s Delight” you could always use the name I’ve always called it. This made my evening! Thanks for the smiles! 🙂
Joan Hayes says
August 2, 2013 at 10:43 pmRita, I’m loving hearing all the different names for this recipes! One thing’s for sure, everyone agrees it’s yummy!
Marcia says
August 18, 2013 at 12:14 amWe call it Better Then Sex Cake
Tracy says
January 25, 2015 at 8:44 pmWe have always called it, “3 steps to Heaven”. 🙂 Been in the family for close to 40 years.
Joan says
September 5, 2013 at 6:25 pmI have been making this for 34 years and we have always called it “Almost Heaven”
Joan Hayes says
September 5, 2013 at 9:12 pmI like that name!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
July 30, 2013 at 2:37 pmI’ve made the ‘better than sex’ variations of this and it’s wicked good. I really don’t care what you call it, just give it to me!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
August 2, 2013 at 6:27 pmThat looks like something I could eat an entire pan of. Yum!!!
Barbara Hamilton says
August 16, 2013 at 9:22 pmI made this a couple of weeks ago from a recipe I got off the internet. Their’s was named “Chocolate Eclair Cake” and it was really good.
Holly says
August 17, 2013 at 12:48 pmI always knew this recipe as :” Four Layer Dessert”, cause it has four layers of absolute heaven, that blend perfectly together, and are magic when they reach your mouth!!
Angie Peterson says
April 25, 2014 at 8:50 pmI grew up eating this dessert and we always called it Barbara Mandrell’s Four Layer Cake! It is so good!!
Liz says
August 18, 2013 at 12:15 pmOh, my. Joan, this is one extraordinary dessert! Who cares what it is called as long as it’s on MY plate!
Ruby Brown says
August 23, 2013 at 1:34 amI did like you said I made it sugar free and fat free and calling it “Thin Persons Delight.”
Love, Ruby
Joan Hayes says
August 23, 2013 at 7:05 amLove it Ruby!
Connie Brennan says
September 2, 2013 at 10:18 pmI’ve made the first dessert for many years and I called it Striped Delight. I love all your recipes.
Joan Hayes says
September 3, 2013 at 11:28 amI like that name Connie!
Judi Hayes says
September 5, 2013 at 8:15 pmI love this! Maybe we should call it Hayes delight since we both have that last name. LOL
Joan Hayes says
September 5, 2013 at 9:11 pmSounds good to me!
Ingrid says
September 17, 2013 at 12:08 pmIn parts of Canada, this dessert is called ” Sex in a pan.”
Elizabeth says
November 1, 2013 at 6:17 pmSo instead of calling this desert Fat man’s delight, why not call it.. Chococheese delight, or Chocolate Cheese delight?
Tanya says
January 1, 2014 at 4:57 pmLiving up in Buffalo, New York we always called it “slush” cake because it reminds you of the winter slush that always happens. Plus you can than eat anytime and not just for holidays. What ever it’s called it sure is yummy and a staple at every family gathering. Have made it with several different puddings and also several different nuts in crust. All are delightful.
Laura Singleton says
January 11, 2014 at 11:24 amMy very large extended family from the Louisville, Ky / Southern Indiana area has always called this the
“Better than Sex Dessert or Robert Redford Dessert”
Jenny S says
January 12, 2014 at 8:40 pmI’ve seen this called Chocolate Lasagne and the first time I encountered it, I made it at work. It had yet another name and it was called Robert Redford. It was about 20 years ago. And I was told that it was called that because Robert Redford was “so yummy”.
Steffire says
January 21, 2014 at 10:57 amOne of the best desserts around! Around here it’s known as Sex in a Pan or Six Layer Desert for the conservative. 🙂
Dawn Cacioppo says
January 22, 2014 at 9:59 pmIn Mississippi we call it Mississippi Mud 🙂
Beverly says
January 27, 2014 at 10:15 amWe call this dessert “Georgie Porgy”. Not sure where the name originated but it is the exact recipe. Absolutely delicious.
Cathy says
January 27, 2014 at 12:23 pmWe have made this for many years and just call it a Delight. (using whatever flavor pudding)….chocolate delight or butterscotch delight or lemon delight.. You get the idea 🙂
Pam Bernard says
January 27, 2014 at 12:54 pmI make this all the time. It’s the one everyone ask for. We always called it Mountain Momma. Lol funny but the only difference is I use pecan sandies for the crust.
Kathy Pumeo says
May 26, 2014 at 5:50 amLOVE the idea for using Pecan Sandies and would like that recipe for the crust! We have made this in my family for years and have always known it as Chocolate Lush or Lemon Lush, whatever anyone calls it doesn’t really matter as long as you MAKE it! It’s simply De-LUSH-ious! I like to add chocolate curls to the top of the Cool Whip layer for a bit of extra eye appeal. Pam, you MUST be from West Virginia, as I was, with calling it Mountain Momma, lol!
Jeremiah says
January 28, 2014 at 3:08 pmMy sister found this recipe years ago in a magazine. There it was called “Brain Pudding.” I have no idea how it got such a terrible name! 😉
Sue says
January 28, 2014 at 9:17 pmI have been making this for about 36 years. But we call it “Texas Yum-Yum.” The only thing I do different is make a layer with the chocolate pudding and another layer with the vanilla pudding. The rest is all the same as yours. This past Christmas I made it with pumpkin pudding and vanilla pudding. Everyone love it.
Kelli says
February 9, 2014 at 11:52 amWe make this every Christmas for our Christmas dinner dessert. It’s that good!! A friend in college gave me the recipe originally, but called it Better than Sex Cake/Robert Redford Cake. Have to admit, many a serving have been eaten as leftovers for breakfast the morning after Christmas! It is wonderful!
Julie says
February 11, 2014 at 11:09 pmAt our house we call it Charlesdessert after my husband because the rest of the family is lucky to get any of it.
Lisa says
March 16, 2014 at 1:27 amHi Joan,
Stumbled onto your site and love it! I can remember as a child the first time my Mama made this and she called it Chocolate Sin. Needless to say it was a big hit with all our family and became a tradition at all the family potlucks. After now being married myself over 30 years, it’s been a favorite go-to dessert in my family too. Have really enjoyed seeing all the different names from all over.
Linda says
March 18, 2014 at 3:07 amInstead of Fat Man’s Delight, how about “I’ve Died and Gone to Heaven” or “Chocolate and So Much More”? As a fat woman, I know there must be another way to describe and enjoy it. 😎
Stephanie @ Plain Chicken says
March 18, 2014 at 9:34 amI have a recipe that is very similar. I was actually planning on making it this weekend. Your version looks delicious!!
Jovanna says
March 18, 2014 at 1:11 pmWhat can I use instead of pecans some of family members have nut allergy.
Penny says
June 12, 2015 at 11:54 amoptions for those with nut allergies:
Graham cracker crust.
(above made substituting your favorite crushed cookie-( Oreos. Vanilla Wafers, Oatmeal cookies, etc)
Coconut crust: mix 1 1/2 Cups flaked coconut & 3 Tbsp melted butter – press into pie pan, bake 15 min at 350 allow to cool before adding filling.) _ can also use your favorite flavor of Macaroons
Ritz cracker crust – follow recipe for graham cracker crust but substitute Ritz crackers. I use this for desserts that are complimented by something salty
Brownie crust ( a thin layer of brownies)
Homemade Chocolate chip cookie crust (a thin layer of choc chip cookie dough – bake until cookies are done – & let cool. After assembling dessert, let set for 12-14 hours to allow crust to absorb moisture from cake to soften it.
There are probably 100 other non-nut crusts you could use. Have fun!
Paula says
March 18, 2014 at 4:44 pmI have this same recipe but it is called “sex in a pan” which sounds way better than “fat man’s delight”
kathy chapman gates says
March 23, 2014 at 4:43 pmI’ve been making this for over 30 yrs. Here in East Tn. we call it “Holy Smoke”. First made it with butterscotch pudding, then with chocolate. My dad who was diabetic loved it, so I would use the fat free and sugarfree items to lighten It for him. No one could tell the difference.
Sandy Sheppard says
April 22, 2014 at 8:32 amLove your recipes,I have made the chocolate dessert for over35 yrs and it is called Chocolate Delight in our family.No matter the name it is a favorite.I have grandchildren getting married and I write out several recipes for their collection,this is always included.
Rae says
April 22, 2014 at 9:12 amWe’ve always called it Chocolate Delight. And it is both chocolatety and delightful!
Jodi says
April 22, 2014 at 10:26 amMy mom used to make this 40 years ago and now I make it all the time. We’ve always called it Chocolate Ecstasy, and rightly so! It’s so luscious!
Helen Stafford says
April 22, 2014 at 10:45 amIt sounds delicious. I’m in the UK. Do you know if cool whip is available here (I’ve never seen it). If not what could I use as an alternative? Thanks
Joan Hayes says
April 27, 2014 at 7:59 amCool whip is a sweetened non dairy whipped topping so just whip some fresh whipping cream with a little sugar to taste for a substitute. Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!
Helen Stafford says
April 27, 2014 at 8:05 amThank you
Tracy says
April 22, 2014 at 3:16 pmWe’ve always called it “3 Steps to Heaven”. I use pecans or walnuts, and only chocolate pudding. My sister has used pistachio pudding and it was well received. Love this!! 🙂
Lorie says
April 24, 2014 at 8:56 amIs there anything that can be used instead of pecans or other nuts? My kids can’t have them and I’ve got to make this! 🙂
Joan Hayes says
April 27, 2014 at 8:01 amJust make a graham cracker crust for the bottom layer instead of the nut crust. Hope your kids enjoy it, mine can’t get enough of this!
Lorie says
April 27, 2014 at 10:34 amThank you!! I’ll be making it today and the kids are excited! 🙂
MamaT says
May 25, 2014 at 9:49 pmyou can use graham cracker crust instead of nuts
Teresa Kastner says
May 3, 2014 at 11:07 pmI just made this yesterday for my Grandson & Son-in-law, while my Daughter is out of town on a business trip…They LOVED it!!!…I make this for potlucks, holidays, church dinners, etc…I have always known it as Chocolate Lush…Sounds better than Fat Man’s Dessert, don’t you think?
jerianne bateman says
May 4, 2014 at 9:39 amI LOVE this desert! I’m asked to bring it to every get together we have! And have been asked for the recipe many times.
We call it Robert redford.
But the crust is graham crackers and melted butter and sugar. I don’t prefer the crust with nuts. Imo.
Mari says
May 4, 2014 at 8:45 pmI discovered this recipe in a magazine a few years ago and it was called “Better Than Robert Redford Dessert”. I just know it was heaven to eat!! The only difference being the chocolate and vanilla puddings were layered on separately.
Libby Dawn says
November 28, 2014 at 6:44 amAhhhh nothing could be better than Robert Redford himself! 🙂 I’ve had a crush on him since I was a kid in the 80’s. I always said I would marry him in my next life, he just didn’t know it yet! I’ve heard it called Burt Reynolds as well. I wonder what it would have been 80-100 years ago. My guess would be Clark Gable lol
MamaT says
May 25, 2014 at 9:47 pmI’ve been making this for 20+ years, but with a graham cracker crust. Jell-O calls it Striped Delight. I love the idea of a pecan or even walnut crust!
Mary says
May 26, 2014 at 10:58 amI make it all the time. At thanksgiving I use pumpkin spice pudding and it has taken the place of pumpkin pie. I have used lemon, coconut cream, pistachio, and chocolate. My family has always called it Yum Yum!
Lisa says
June 4, 2014 at 6:14 amI’ve made thiis for several years. My Mother found the recipe in a cook book that we have here in the South(Alabama) It’s called “Calling all Cooks”, it’s made by South Central Bell, our phone company. Anyway, it’s called Chocolate Pudding Cake. This is my husban’s favorite dessert.
Thank You for sharing all that you do,
Lisa in Alabama
Kel says
July 11, 2014 at 12:04 amMy Aunt used to make this for all family functions. She called it Chocolate Delight. I might try it with the lemon like someone suggested in another comment. I bet it would taste just as good or even better than the Lemon Supreme pie from The Village Inn restaurant chain.
Carrie says
July 14, 2014 at 9:47 pmThe Original name for this was Hawaiian Delight. I found it in an Oklahoma Cookbook It was Oklahoma Recipes from 1889 to 1989. My family has been making this cheesecake my entire life. It is so delicious. I have mixed up the flavors also. I have made Orange Chocolate, Mint Chocolate and Chocolate Peanut Butter. My Husband and 3 sons make it disappear in a night 🙂 I don’t understand the Name Hawaiian Delight but I find it better than Fat Man’s Delight…lol
Kellie says
July 21, 2014 at 7:50 amI googled Hawaiian Delight and it is a cake with pudding and cream cheese on top and then there is coconut and pineapple and maraschino cherries on top of that. It looks and sounds amazing!! I have a feeling that someone tweaked the recipe and changed the cake to the crust and then turned it into a chocolate desert. I bet the coconut and pineapple would be terrific on the crust with vanilla pudding. I’m getting seriously hungry here LOL.
Kellie says
July 21, 2014 at 7:27 amI have been making this for years. We call it Chocolate Delight. For the crust I use either pecans or walnuts. Also, I add some chopped pecans or walnuts on top and I also shave a Hershey’s chocolate bar over the top….YUM. It doesn’t last long around my family. Heck I live alone and it doesn’t’ last long with just me LOLOL.
Christy M says
August 7, 2014 at 1:03 amSo many names! It was always called Sex-in-a-Pan around here!
Libby+Dawn says
November 28, 2014 at 6:48 amThere is a small chain of shabby chic style lunch cafe’s here that serve 10 different cakes and 7 or 8 pies and have fancy lunch specials like chicken tetrazzini many different casseroles, sandwiches on homemade sour dough, chicken and dumplings to die for and every salad and quiche special you could ever think of. They have this dessert and they all call it The Belt Buster. But is soooooo very good. My mother in law calls her recipe for this Chocolate Lush and sometimes swaps the chocolate out for a lemon custard and calls it Lemon Lush.
terri says
December 30, 2014 at 5:36 pmThis use to be a High School lunch dessert.. it was called “Stacked Pudding ” ours also had chocolate chips on top.. or another name was “Chocolate Lasagna”
Nina2bx3 says
January 25, 2015 at 11:06 pmI’ve made this through the years and it’s always a big hit! When I was dieting, I used sugar free pecan Sandies crushed up for my crust along with the fat free, sugar free puddings.!
Lauren A. says
April 16, 2015 at 10:59 pmHow fun to see all the different names for this yummy dessert! When I was growing up in the 80s, in Cleveland, Ohio, my mom made a big pan of this for every holiday; half would be chocolate, which was called “The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford”, and the other half would be lemon, which was called “The Next Best Thing to Christmas”. I also remember how my sisters and I thought the Redford name was lousy because he was an “old guy”, lol!
Bobbye Adams says
June 14, 2015 at 4:47 pmive made this exact recipe since 1974,! The original name is Triple Delight. I’ve made it using lemon and also coconut cream puddings. I add a bit of vanilla to the chocolate pudding mixture. It just gives it the right “oomph”! Family favorite!!!
Susan Vilar says
June 15, 2015 at 10:03 pmI call this my Better Than Sex dessert. Every time I take it to card club, or work for pot luck, all everyone says is, “Oh My God!” with their eyes closed for a long 15 to 20 seconds. Sounds like it to me! 🙂 LOL
It’s a fantastic dessert! I use Hershey’s Special Dark pudding. Makes it WONDERFUL!
GENE0 says
August 11, 2015 at 12:46 pmWHEN NOT MIXING THE PUDDINGS, IT MAKES IT MORE EYE APPEALING BUT TAKES MORE TIME BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO SET… EITHER WAY I’S DELICIOUS..
RCowan says
August 14, 2015 at 8:07 pmThis is one of my favorite desserts. When it was given to me, they called it “Sex in a Pan”. I tried to make with soy milk and found out you have to use normal milk, or it won’t set up. Delish!
Deniece says
September 29, 2015 at 11:24 amWe have always called this Watergate. I love hearing all of the names!