• 30 min prep
  • 1 hr 50 min total
  • Makes 16 servings.

The oohs and ahhs will be for you instead of the waiter when you serve this restaurant fave with layers of moist cake, caramel filling, and chocolate-dipped wafers.

Ingredients

  • 1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (Do not thaw.)
  • 1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil’s food cake mix
  • 1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) chocolate instant pudding mix
  • 38 caramels
  • 1-1/2 Tbsp. water
  • 6 oz. (3/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) brick cream cheese softened
  • 5 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate, divided
  • 16 NILLA Wafers
  • 16 pecan halves

Instructions

  • SPOON  half the whipped topping into the bowl; refrigerate to thaw. Return remaining whipped topping to the freezer. Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers, adding dry pudding mix to cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients. Cool cakes in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
  • MEANWHILE,  microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until smooth, stirring every 45 sec. Cool slightly.
  • BEAT  cream cheese in a large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add caramel sauce; mix well. Blend in thawed whipped topping. Stack cake layers on plate, filling and frosting top with cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • MICROWAVE  whipped topping and chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until whipped topping is completely melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is well blended. Meanwhile, melt remaining chocolate as directed on package. Dip half of each wafer in chocolate; place on the waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Top with nuts. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • SPREAD  whipped topping mixture onto the top of the cake. Garnish with wafers. Keep refrigerated.

Recipe Tips

VariationSubstitute 13×9-inch pan for the round pans and increase baking time to 35 to 38 min. or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely. Continue as directed, spreading caramel mixture and chocolate mixture over cake in pan.

Make-ahead for a more fudge-like texture, store cake in refrigerator overnight before serving. Garnish with chocolate-dipped wafers just before serving.

Better For YouTrim 40 calories, 3g of total fat, including 2g of saturated fat, per serving by preparing with COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping, chocolate fat-free sugar-free instant pudding mix, Neufchatel cheese, and Reduced Fat NILLA Wafers.

 

Nutrition Information

Makes 16 servings.

Nutrition per serving:

    • Calories450 
    • Total fat24 g
    • Saturated fat10 g
    • Cholesterol55 mg
    • Sodium380 mg
    • Carbohydrate58 g
    • Dietary fiber2 g
    • Total sugars41 g
    • Includes added sugarsn/a
    • Protein5 g
    • Vitamin A4 %DV
    • Vitamin C0 %DV
    • Vitamin Dn/a
    • Calcium8 %DV
    • Iron8 %DV
    • Potassium n/a