I realize Ambrosia is a different dessert; I’m using it in the classical “food of the gods” context.

In any case, Pudding Bars (known by some as Politician’s Pie, though this seems to be far too insulting a name for something so delicious) is a dessert I was introduced to after marrying into my wife’s family. We have been on a first name basis ever since. Really. I call it Puddin’, it calls me Scott. Until I’ve consumed it, but it was more than willing to make that sacrifice. It would have been insulted at any other action on my part.

Due to my diabetes, my wife has tweaked the recipe so that I can continue to enjoy it without quite as much guilt. Here is the recipe (with variations):

Pudding Bars

Serves 12 to 15. Or just me.

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup Splenda (or powered sugar if you prefer)
• 1 stick butter (or margarine if you’re a cheapskate)
• 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped (or other nut [or optional] depending on tastes & allergies, but really, why wouldn’t you include the nuts?)
• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
• 3/4 cup of Splenda (or 1 cup of powdered sugar if you’re trying to kill me)
• 1 1/2 cups Splenda sweetened whipped cream (substitute sugar free Cool Whip if desired, or sugary variations if you’d like to see me dead sooner rather than later)
• 1 small box instant sugar free vanilla pudding (or sugary pudding blah blah blah)
• 1 small box instant sugar free chocolate pudding (or sugary pudding blah blah blah; alternatively, pick any flavor of pudding [banana or coconut are quite tasty])
• 3 cups milk
• more Splenda sweetened whipped cream for topping (and by more, we mean lots more, as we love our whipped cream [or variations as noted above])
• chocolate bar, grated (optional; maybe not as good with pudding flavors other than chocolate, your mileage may vary)

Crust: Crumble together first four ingredients until it has a sandy texture. Press into 9 x 13″ pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes and cool.

Filling: Cream together cream cheese, Splenda, and whipped cream. Spread on cooled crust. Mix together puddings and milk until semi-thick. Spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Top with more whipped cream and grated chocolate bar as desired. Chill and serve. To me.