Have you heard of this dessert before, Sex in a Pan? It has been around for a long time. It has a yummy nutty cookie bottom followed by layers of cream cheese and pudding mixes and topped with Cool Whip. Pretty much can’t go wrong with that!!!
This is one of those popular recipes that you will want in your easy dessert section. A dessert that feeds a crowd, one that everyone loves, easily portable and casual for any family or friend get together.
All of the ingredients are easily layered up in a 9×13″ pan. This makes for a quick make-ahead dessert that is great for parties and gatherings.
There are so many theories as to how the Sex in a Pan dessert got its name. There is the obvious one – someone liked it so much they declared “it’s like sex in a pan” and the name stuck. That’s possible but I’m not so sure about that one.
One of the most common theories is that it came from the fact that when you include the chocolate shavings on top, there are six layers in this layered dessert – so six in a pan – and over the years it morphed into sex in a pan.
That’s the PG version of the story I’m going to go with if anyone asks! I’ve also seen it called the “Robert Redford” dessert and “Better-Than-Sex” – both of which would probably require more explanation than Sex in a Pan dessert already does!
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13 x 9-Inch Covered Oblong Baking Pan, Set of 2 Pans with Lids
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I made this for the kids mainly, as it keeps well in the fridge for many days. They thought the name was so funny!! I should have maybe called it something else because that is all I heard about for days, along with giggles!!
The kids staying with us were Zack 11 and Halen 12. Something they will remember from the summer of 2013!! Great memories plus a great dessert that we could pull out of the fridge for a snack or dessert many times while they were here.
Try this very easy and delicious recipe next time you have a house full, they will love it!! ENJOY!!
Ingredients for Sex in a Pan
- butter
- all-purpose flour
- chopped pecans
- icing sugar
- light cream cheese
- instant chocolate pudding
- instant vanilla pudding
- 2% milk (5 cups of milk)
- Cool Whip
- semi-sweet chocolate square
How to Make Sex in a Pan?
To make Sex in a Pan, you’ll need a baking dish that can go from hot to cold – so a glass baking dish works well.
First make the crust with the pecans, flour, and butter mixed together and bake it. Then the next layer is made using Cool Whip, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Then mix the puddings separately with cold milk and layer first the vanilla pudding, then spread the chocolate pudding on top of the vanilla layer.
Finally spread the remaining Cool Whip on top of the chocolate pudding, add the grated chocolate, chill and serve!
Can You Freeze Sex in a Pan?
To be honest, it never lasts long enough around here that I’ve tried to freeze it, but if your family isn’t as big a fan of it as mine is, yes you can freeze it.
You’ll need to find a cover that fits your baking dish tightly. Just pop the whole thing in the freezer and when you want some you can cut off what you need and let it thaw while leaving the rest in the freezer.
If you want to wrap with plastic wrap you can freeze it ahead of time uncovered and when it is solid then it is easier to wrap and not lose half the topping as it won’t stick as easily to the plastic wrap. I then like putting a layer of aluminum foil on to help seal it better.
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Sex in a Pan Recipe

Sex In A Pan
A wonderfully easy dessert to have at the ready in your refrigerator!!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1-8 oz. light cream cheese
- 1 large package, 144 gm instant chocolate pudding
- 1 large package, 144 gm instant vanilla pudding
- 5 cups milk, divided
- 4 cups cool whip, divided
- 1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate square, grated
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 435Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 270mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 8g
Comments & Reviews
Cheryl says
My mom has been making it for years, we call it “lush”. She makes a lemon flavored one as well.
Noshing with the Nolands says
You could change this up to any flavor, mmmm lemon would be great!! Then I was just thinking of pumpkin in the fall!!
Bunny says
So do I. I substitute lemon pie mix it’s totally better an not as sweet
Jan says
Your lemon pie idea sounds great. I will try that one next! Thanks for the ideas.
Tara Noland says
Enjoy!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
ahahahaaa I’m sure those kids thought that was the funniest thing everrr
Noshing with the Nolands says
They sure did, thanks so much for coming over Kayle!!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Oh my goodness! Flashback! My mom used to make this any time company was coming over. Now I simply must make it!
Several years ago I made a pumpkin version of this for Thanksgiving. It was soooooo delicious!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Noshing with the Nolands says
I was totally thinking of the pumpkin for the fall. Great minds!!
Liz says
Outrageously delicious!!!! I remember eating this eons ago 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
So good and so easy, thanks for coming over Liz!!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
This looks SO good, Tara! Pinned!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Julie!!
Debbie says
What is icing sugar?
Noshing with the Nolands says
Icing sugar is also known as confectioners’ sugar or powdered sugar. It is a very fine sugar and you should be able to get it at any grocery store.
Amy - Funny is Family says
My grandmother used to make this, along with the lemon version for every food holiday. I was so excited to see the photo! I miss her terribly, and so wish she were still around so I could tell her what the new name for her dessert was called. I wonder if that’s what she called it when all the grandkids weren’t around? 🙂
Noshing with the Nolands says
Ah, good memories!! Thanks for coming over to share them Amy!!
Del's cooking twist says
What an amazing recipe! I love it!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Del!!
Renee says
Two things, 1) this recipe sounds delish, cant wait to make it. 2) I cant believe you know a Halen! That is my daughters name, (after my husbands favorite band Van Halen) and I thought it was pretty original…my daughter who is 8, will be happy to know there’s another Halen somewhere out there…
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Tara Noland says
Well enjoy Renee, we sure love when Halen and Zack visit us and they devoured this dessert!!
Lucienne says
This is a very big recipe
Can this dessert could be frozen?
Or can I cut the recipe to much pudding !.
Lucienne says
Sorry look very good but big for 2 persons.
I just want to know if Sex in a pan can go in the freezer?
Thanks
Tara Noland says
I don’t think it would freeze that well but you could try it.
Tara Noland says
The dessert does make a lot, it is hard to cut down as you are using packaged product.
Palladini says
Sex in a Pan, my first encounter with this recipe was with a girlfriend, who passed away a couple of years ago. She made it a slightly different way, and it was delicious. But what the differences were, I do not remember. All I do remember, it was good and we had a ball making it
Tara Noland says
Ah, good memory to have of the two of you, thanks for sharing!!
Connie welch says
I make this every year at Christmas. But, we had to start calling it yum-yum cake when my daughters first grade teacher ask the class what they were looking forward to most at Christmas, and of course her answer was sex in a pan.😂 we still get a good laugh about that one!
Tara Noland says
That was really funny and thanks for sharing. My daughter and her friends when younger would be all giggles over that dessert!!
Ruth says
I have a similar recipe for Sex in a pan but with pistachio pudding and then with chocolate only is called Better than sex.
Tara Noland says
I would like the change up to pistachio pudding, yum!
Kasey says
This dessert minus the vanilla pudding is also called Chocolate Delight. I have been making it since high school. You use 2 boxes of chocolate pudding. It is the best dessert I have ever had other than turtle cheesecake. I think they tie for 1st place!
Tara Noland says
It is crazy good and so easy to make too!! The chocolate delight sounds yummy also.
Dana says
Can you make this in a tin pan? I’m bringing it to someone and thought it might be easier to leave there
Tara Noland says
You mean like a foil pan, absolutely, and then no worry to have to get the pan back. Enjoy!!
Heather says
Can whipped cream be used instead of cool whip?
Tara Noland says
Yes, you can, make sure it is beaten stiffly.
Kathy says
How many days ahead can you make this?
Tara Noland says
You can make this a day or two ahead of time!
Slie says
Its sounds easy o prepare I’ll try it for my family. It looks delicious thank you
Tara Noland says
Enjoy!!