There are desserts that look fancy but take forever—and then there are desserts like this Creamy Layered Delight, which feels luxurious while being wonderfully simple. If you love spoonable, chilled sweets with a soft pudding-like center and a buttery crumb topping, you’re about to meet your new obsession. This is the kind of comfort dessert people request again and again: it’s cool, creamy, lightly sweet, and melts in your mouth with every bite.
This layered treat is built around two textures that always win: a silky vanilla cream layer and a golden cookie crumble that adds crunch and a toasted, buttery flavor. Served cold from the fridge, it slices softly and scoops like a dream—perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, or those nights when you want “something sweet” without turning on the oven.
The best part? You can make it no-bake with pantry staples and a simple stovetop custard (or an easy pudding shortcut if you’re in a rush). After a good chill, the layers settle into that classic, nostalgic dessert vibe—like the cousin of banana pudding, icebox cakes, and old-school creamy trays you’d find at a family gathering.
Focus keyword
Creamy layered dessert
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Layered Dessert
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No oven needed (perfect for warm days)
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Make-ahead friendly (tastes even better after chilling)
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Budget-friendly ingredients you likely already have
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Silky, thick cream layer with a buttery crumble topping
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Easy to customize (chocolate, lemon, fruit, coconut, caramel…)
What Is “Creamy Layered Delight”?
This recipe is a chilled, layered dessert made with:
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a buttery cookie crumb base (optional but delicious),
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a thick vanilla custard/cream layer,
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a generous cookie crumble topping.
Think of it as a “comfort dessert casserole”—simple, creamy, and made for sharing. The image shows a smooth pale cream layer topped with crumbs, scooping up soft and custardy. That’s exactly the texture we’re going for.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the cookie crumble (base + topping)
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2 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs, crushed tea biscuits, or digestive biscuits)
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6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
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2 tbsp sugar (optional, depending on your cookies)
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Pinch of salt
For the creamy vanilla layer (stovetop custard)
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4 cups whole milk (or 2% for lighter)
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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⅓ cup cornstarch
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¼ tsp salt
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2 large egg yolks (optional but makes it richer)
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2 tbsp unsalted butter
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2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional “extra creamy” finishing touch
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1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks (or 1 tub whipped topping)
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This makes the dessert lighter and mousse-like. Totally optional—still amazing without it.
