The Vintage Southern Layered Dessert That Earned The Nickname 'Girdle Buster' - Tasting Table

"While it's called a girdle buster, this layered dessert has light and fluffy cream and pudding layers that aren't any more decadent than a slice of chocolate cake. The dessert starts with a crunchy cookie crust, usually crushed graham crackers and butter, baked to a firm foundation. The rest of the dessert is a no-bake endeavor, consisting of a cream cheese-based layer flavored with peanut butter and vanilla,"

"Despite a short stint in the oven for a firm and crunchy crust, the girdle buster is a cold, indulgent summertime dessert. It's the perfect textural balance of creamy and crunchy, with a sweet, nutty, and tangy flavor profile. The graham cracker crust and cream cheese layer put the girdle buster in cheesecake territory, while the final layer of chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and a crunchy garnish are reminiscent of a traditional British trifle."

"Some recipes refer to the girdle buster as a Jimmy Carter cake due to the president's Southern Georgia peanut farm roots. Just as he was known to love peanut butter ice cream, this peanut butter and chocolate layered cream pie dessert would be right up his alley. That said, other versions of the girdle buster have no peanuts at all."

Girdle buster is a Southern layered, chilled dessert built on a firm graham-cracker crust, often baked briefly for crunch. A cream cheese–based layer flavored with peanut butter and vanilla rests atop the crust, followed by chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and an optional crunchy garnish. The dessert is assembled without additional baking and chilled until set, producing a balance of creamy and crunchy textures with sweet, nutty, and tangy flavors. Variations replace the crust with Pecan Sandies, omit peanut butter, or celebrate regional peanut traditions, earning occasional nicknames such as Jimmy Carter cake.

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