Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Using a nut chopper or knife, coarsely chop the pecans. Set aside until ready to use.
Prepare the Shortbread Crust:
In a small bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, 1 cup of the chopped pecans, and softened butter until it holds together into a ball.
Press into an oblong baking dish (you do not need to grease the pan) and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Prepare the Whipped Cream Cheese Fluff:
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
With a rubber spatula, gently fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping until combined.
Spread mixture onto cooled crust.
Prepare the Chocolate Pudding Mixture:
In another mixing bowl, whisk together instant chocolate pudding and cold whole milk for two minutes until pudding begins to thicken.
Spread pudding over cream cheese mixture.
Top with remaining whipped topping and sprinkle remaining 1 cup chopped pecans to cover.
Cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight before serving. Serves 20-24
Notes
*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.