The Best Mud Pie Recipe- With Pudding

This mud pie is so easy to make, and has been a family favorite for many years. Made with chocolate pudding and a shortbread pecan crust, this mud pie recipe will be sure to become a favorite for the holidays and other special occasions.

This is a special chocolate mud pie that I always take to shared holiday meals. The reason is that the family always asks for it. They always expect it, and never tire of it. It's part of our family holiday tradition.

This easy dessert recipe is so simple, and can be put together in a short amount of time.

The only baking involved is for the pecan crust, which is similar to a shortbread crust, though without any sugar. The rest of the dessert is sweet and creamy, so this cookie layer makes for a nice balance.

It's always been fun to tell the kids that they were having mud pie for dessert. At first a little hesitant, they quickly learned that the mud pie is made with a delicious chocolate pudding.

The chocolate pudding is thick, using less than the specified amount of milk that the pudding recipe actually calls for. This makes for a nice thick layer of chocolate, in between the other layers of the mud pie.

This simple mud pie is an easier version of the classic Mississippi mud pie, made with love, and with a resemblance of the mud from the Mississippi river.

Mud Pie Recipe

There are many variations of the traditional mud pie, and it's list of ingredients are dependent on the baker.

Many classic mud pies have a brownie base, topped with scrumptious layers of delicious ingredients.

This recipe has a shortbread base, a cream cheese layer, with a silky chocolate pudding layer as the third layer, topped with whipped cream.

It is made with simple ingredients, and is quick to whip up.

Ingredients:

Base

• softened butter- ½ cup

• flour- 1 cup

• crushed pecans- ¾ cup

• salt- a pinch

Cream Cheese Layer

• cream cheese- 1 large block (250 gm)

• cool whip- ½ litre container

• sugar-½ cup

Pudding Layer

• chocolate instant pudding- 2 x 113 gm packages

• milk- 2 cups

Topping

• cool whip- ½ litre container

• semi sweet chocolate chips- ¼ to ½ cup ( for chocolate curls)

Directions:

Base

• The bottom layer of this recipe is the unsweetened shortbread and pecan crust.

• The pecans can be crushed in a number of ways, including using a mortar and pestle, as well as a food processor. Make sure not to crush too finely, as it's nice to have some tiny pecan pieces in the mix.

• To make the base of the mud pie, mix together the crushed pecans and flour, in a small bowl.

• Add a pinch of salt, and mix well.

• Spread the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch cake pan, which has been prepared with a non stick cooking spray, and press mixture flat with a fork.

• Bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes.

• Remove from the oven, and allow to cool. This layer should cool to room temperature before adding the cream cheese layer.

Cream Cheese Layer

• In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese, ½ tub of cool whip, and ½ cup of sugar.

• Spread this mixture over the cooled pecan shortbread crust.

Chocolate Pudding Layer

• In a large bowl, mix together 2 packages of instant chocolate pudding with 2 cups of milk. It's easiest to mix the pudding with a hand mixer or stand mixer, to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

• The pudding will quickly thicken, and is a thicker consistency than the regular pudding mix itself, due to a lesser amount of milk added.

• Spread the pudding in an even layer, over the cream cheese layer.

Making The Chocolate Curl Garnish

• Chocolate curls are so much fun to make. They are fairly easy to create, once you get a feel for the consistency required to make the perfect curls.

• The consistency is somewhere in between soft and hard. Chocolate that is too soft will cause the chocolate to resist curling and cause sticking. If it's too hard, this will cause the chocolate to flake and avoid curling.

• You will understand this once you go through the chocolate curl making process. The best consistency is that which occurs after the chocolate begins to harden, yet before it has completely hardened.

• Place the semi sweet chocolate chips in the middle of a microwavable plate.

• Microwave for 1 minute.

• Remove from the microwave. Use the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into a fine flat layer.

• Allow the chocolate to cool. Placing in the fridge will help to expedite this process.

• When the chocolate has firmed yet is still pliable, use a small or offset spatula to push against the chocolate, causing it to form the chocolate curls.

• Store in the fridge, until ready to use as a garnish.

Topping

• Spread the remainder of the cool whip over the chocolate pudding layer on the top of the pie, creating the top and final layer.

• Garnish the whipped cream layer with chocolate curls.

Mud Pie Substitutions

There are many different variations of mud pie recipes.

The classic mud pie traditionally has a chocolate cookie crust. This recipe's shortbread pecan base can be substituted with an oreo crumb crust, using oreo crumbs and butter.

The cream cheese layer can also be substituted. Consider a creamy ice cream layer instead, similar to an ice cream cake. Use vanilla ice cream, chocolate malt ice cream, or even your favorite ice cream, for that special touch.

The chocolate pudding layer can also be substituted. Consider a layer of chocolate ganache, or even a simple brownie layer.

The chocolate curl garnish can be replaced with chopped chocolate, chocolate shavings, or more crushed pecans.

Since this is a mud pie, you can also garnish with gummy worms, to emphasize the muddiness of the treat, for the children.

Mud Pie Storage

Mud pie should be used up within 24 hours, especially if it is covered with a top layer of whipped cream.

I find that it is always best when served up fresh.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in a covered container. Cover with a lid, or a piece of plastic wrap.

Mud pie should be used up the next day if possible, due to the whipped cream topping. The topping loses it's whipped consistency over time.

Mud Pie Recipe Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Did Mississippi Mud Pie Come From?

The origins of the Mississippi mud pie are unclear, although some recipes have a connection to the mud of the Mississippi River.

The recipes are varied, and often layered, including a layer of chocolate, resembling the Mississippi mud. Other layers include ice cream, marshmallows, cookie crusts, nuts, chocolate syrup and shavings.

Who Invented Mud Pie?

The true inventor of the Mississipi mud pie is unknown, although there is speculation on several origins. The origins may or may not have come from the state of Mississippi.

Mud pie is a twentieth-century American dessert borrowed from several European baking traditions. Although some recipes come from the Mississippi, others originated elsewhere.

The Chart House restaurant chain made the mud pie popular nationally, in the 1970's.

What Are The Other Names For Mississippi Mud Pie?

Mississippi mud pie is also known as Mississippi mud cake, mud pie, chocolate lasagna, and sex in a pan.

The ingredients are as varied as the many names for this delicious chocolate dessert.

Conclusion

This tasty mud pie is a perfect chocolate dessert for chocolate fans.

It's an easy twist on the traditional Mississippi mud pie recipe.

Not only is it tasty, it's also very easy to make.

Consider making a mud pie this holiday season, for a little muddy fun, and a lot of deliciousness.

Have you ever made this mud pie recipe? Be sure to share your experience by leaving a comment below, or rating the recipe with your review.

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