PEANUT PUDDING DESSERT

PEANUT PUDDING DESSERT

½ cup cold butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts
1 package (8-oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 carton (8-oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
2-3/4 cups milk
1 package (3.9-oz.) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 package (3.4-oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix
Chocolate curls and additional chopped peanuts, optional

In a small bowl, cut butter into flour until crumbly. Stir in peanuts. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350^ for 16-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Fold in 1-1/2 cup whipped topping. Carefully spread over crust.
In a large bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes or until soft-set. Carefully spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining whipped topping.

Garnish with chocolate curls and additional peanuts if desired. Refrigerate until serving.

Yield: 15-18 servings.