This lush Drumstick Layered Dessert is a layered dessert that encapsulates everything we love about Drumstick ice cream cones. It begins with a golden crust made of vanilla wafers and chopped peanuts. It’s then topped with a creamy white chocolate cheesecake mousse and embellished with crushed waffle cones, peanuts and a drizzle of chocolate ganache. There’s no need to freeze this dessert, just chill thoroughly until it’s set then cut and serve.

Easy Drumstick Layered Dessert Recipe

This sort of easy layered dessert is perfect for any potluck event. Whether it’s the holidays, a picnic or potluck party this dessert is sure to appeal. It’s not necessary to freeze this dessert, but you can if you like. How to make a Drumstick Layered Dessert: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

Prepare Dish – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spritz the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Crust – In a small mixing bowl toss together the vanilla wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, melted butter and granulated sugar. Press onto the bottom of the baking dish.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden and set. Cool completely.
Filling – Whip instant pudding with half and half plus vanilla until it’s beginning to thicken. Add the whipped cream cheese and whipping until smooth. Fold in the fresh whipped cream by hand.
Assemble – Spread the filling over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the filling with 1/2 of the reserved mini chocolate chips, 1/2 of the chopped peanuts and 1/2 of the crushed sugar cones. Set aside the remaining to garnish the top.
Chocolate Topping – Melt mini chocolate chips and heavy cream in the microwave in 20 second increments, stopping to stir each time. Repeat this process until smooth.
Cool the melted chocolate slightly. Drizzle over the first layer of chocolate chips, sugar cone pieces and peanuts.
Double the Topping – While the chocolate is soft, garnish the top with reserved peanuts, chocolate chips and sugar cone pieces.
Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight before cutting.

How to Make the Best Drumstick Layered Dessert Recipe

This dessert is a fun way to serve familiar drumstick flavors to a crowd. They’ll love it!

Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Drumstick Layered Dessert: The crust is made with crushed vanilla wafers, granulated sugar and melted butter. You could use crushed waffle cones but please note it will take a couple of boxes for making the crust and the crushed cones for the topping. You’ll also need two boxes of white chocolate instant pudding mix (you could also use cheesecake flavored) half and half, softened whipped cream cheese, vanilla extract, peanuts, chocolate chips melted with heavy cream to drizzle on top and 5 waffle cones broken into pieces.
Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A 13 x 9 inch baking dish, a hand mixer or a stand mixer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a large silicone spatula, a hand mixer or a stand mixer, a food processor or chopping board and knife to chop the peanuts.
In this recipe, I opted to use white chocolate instant pudding for the base of the mousse filling, usually found quite easily at my local grocery store including places like Walmart. However, if you’re unable to find that flavor cheesecake flavored instant pudding is a terrific substitute. I would choose that first over vanilla.
If you prefer, you can use crushed sugar cones for the crust instead of vanilla wafers in the same amount. It takes an entire box of sugar cones just for the crust, hence the reason I went with vanilla wafers. I’ve made it both ways and either way it’s delish.
Do you like lots of hot fudge? Double the amount and you’ll be good to go! There’s no such thing as too much chocolate.
The waffle cones on top will naturally soften a bit when chilled. If you’re all about the crunch, assemble the Drumstick Layered Dessert and chill it in the refrigerator overnight. Add the waffle cones, peanuts and melted chocolate just before serving.
Store leftover Drumstick dessert chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

More Southern Style Layered Desserts to Make

Add these luscious desserts to your specials occasion dessert menu ASAP.

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