Mississippi Mud Pie

Mississippi Mud Pie is a recipe that originated in Mississippi (of course) a short time after WWII.  Some call it pie, some call it cake, some just say Mississippi Mud. I call it a "pie" because I make it in a pie plate.  Anyway you say it, this dessert usually contains a crust or crumb component, a chocolate pudding component, whipped cream, pecans and traditionally, mini marshmallows (at the time the recipe was invented mini marshmallows were a new novelty).  My recipe does not contain marshmallows but you can add them if you want.

MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE

1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 1/2 cups cold milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 TBS butter, softened
3/4 cup pecans
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed
splash of vanilla extract
a chocolate bar (Hershey miniature, etc) for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk the pudding mix and milk well.  Chill in the fridge.

In a food processor (you can mix it by hand but a processor makes it easier), pulse together flour, softened butter and pecans until well incorporated.

You'll see it come together and form a dough.

Press the dough onto the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes then sit it on the counter to cool.


Meanwhile, add a splash of vanilla extract to the Cool Whip and gently stir it in.

In a large bowl, stir the softened cream cheese until smooth.

Add 1/2 the container of Cool Whip and the powdered sugar.  Stir until smooth.

Once the crust has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese mixture over crust.

Next, spread the chilled pudding on.

 
If you want to add mini marshmallows, this is the time.  Throw a few on top of the pudding.
  
Then, carefully top with the remaining Cool Whip.

Chill this for at least an hour to let it set up.

Before serving, use a grater to shave a chocolate bar on top for garnish.

In this pic you can see the nutty crust, the tangy cream cheese layer, the creamy pudding layer and the vanilla kissed cool whip topping.  Everything mingling together in your mouth is downright delightful!

You will most definitely want to give this one a try!  It's a southern favorite for a reason.  Mud never tasted so good!