Preparation: 30 minutes
Bake: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour 50 minutes (includes cooling)
Yield: 16 servings
1 container (8 oz) of whipped topping (without thawing)
1 package (2-layer) devils food cake mix*
1 package (3.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding
38 caramels
1 1/2 tbsp. water
6 oz cream cheese, softened
16 vanilla wafers
16 pecan halves
5 squares semisweet chocolate, divided
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Place half of the whipped topping in a bowl and set it to defrost in the refrigerator. Save the rest in the freezer. Prepare and bake cake as directed on package for preparing a 2-layer 9-inch round cake, adding pudding powder to cake mix before mixing with the liquid ingredients. Cool cakes in pan for 10 min.; invert on a rack. Remove from pans. Cool completely.
Meanwhile, heat the caramels with water in a microwaveable bowl on high for 1 1/2 min. or until soft, stirring every 45 seconds. Let cool slightly.
Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer until creamy. Add the caramel sauce and mix well. Stir in thawed whipped topping. Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread over half the cream cheese mixture. Top with second cake layer and spread with the remaining mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Microwave frozen whipped topping with 3 squares of chocolate in a bowl suitable for such use, for 3 min. or until well blended, stirring once every minute. Cool 10 min. Meanwhile, melt the remaining chocolate squares as directed on package. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, place them on a baking sheet covered with waxed paper and place a pecan half on top of each. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Spread whipped topping mixture over cake. Garnish with cookies. Keep refrigerated.
*Liquid ingredients needed to make the cake are not included in this list.
