Robert Redford

Ingredients

  • This makes about 16 servings.
  •  
  • BOTTOM LAYER
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • MIDDLE LAYER
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 (9-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed and divided
  • TOP LAYER
  • 1 (6.75-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 (6.75-ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix OR instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 1 small milk chocolate bar, grated (optional)


Photo of Rober6t Redford

Directions

BOTTOM LAYER
Make the bottom layer by mixing together the flour, butter and pecans until crumb-like. Press the mixture into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan. Bake in 350*F (175*C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden. Cool.

MIDDLE LAYER
For the middle layer by beat the cream cheese with the sugar until smooth. Fold in 1/2 the whipped topping. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust.

TOP LAYER
Beat the milk with the pudding mixes until smooth and thickened. Spread the remaining whipped topping over the top and sprinkle with the grated chocolate. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

Back in the late 1970's this desert was very popular at parties and potluck lunches at work. It certainly was popular at California Institute of the Arts where it was a favorite at the huge potlucks thrown by the AFAR GROUP —  the Admissions, Financial Aid and Registrar's Offices. There was always one sometimes two. The chocolate version was the most popular.

 

Why Robert Redford? The official name of the the dish is " Almost Better Than Robert Redford" or "The Next Best Thing To Robert Redford" and in the late 1970's he was in his early 40's. Go figure. How many pastries get named for 40-year old actresses?

 

And is it a cake or is it a pie? Online, about two-thirds of the recipes call it a cake; one-third says it's a pie. Generally it was just called "Robert Redford", as in: "I hope Barbara brings Robert Redford to the potluck".

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