Arkansas Possum Pie Recipe has luscious chocolate and cream cheese layers. This tasty filling is inside a pecan crust for a delicious dessert.
This easy pie recipe with a unique name is rich and delicious. The entire recipe is so easy to make. If you have never tried it, it is absolutely amazing.
The pie consists of a decadent chocolate pudding layer and cream cheese mixture. All of this is layered in a pecan shortbread pie crust for even more flavor.
Everything is topped with whipped cream to make it even yummier. It comes together for the best dessert. Each slice of this cream pie is so delicious. I also love to make Crack Pie Recipe and Chocolate Mousse Pie Recipe.
Table of contents
Where Did Possum Pie Originate?
There are a couple of theories floating around in the state of Arkansas. The most popular theory claims that it originated from the idea that the pie is pretending to be something that it is not.
For example, the delicious layers are hidden beneath one another deceiving what it really is.
You might hear this pie called other names such as Chocolate Layer Pie or Chocolate Lush. Either way, it is not actual possum.
Ingredients
Crust
- All Purpose Flour. I recommend spooning the flour into the measuring cup and not scooping it. This is more accurate and helps to prevent packing too much flour into the cup.
- Butter. The butter needs to be melted.
- Brown Sugar. Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe is easy to make if you don’t have any in the pantry.
- Pecans. Finely chopped into pieces.
Cream Cheese Layer
- Cream Cheese. Softened at room temperature so it’s easier to blend.
- Confectioners sugar. Sift the sugar to remove lumps.
- Heavy Cream. This gives the cream cheese layer a rich taste.
Pudding Layer
- Instant Chocolate Pudding. This recipe uses instant pudding and not the type you cook.
- Instant Chocolate Fudge Pudding. This is also instant pudding.
- Milk. Use the type of milk you prefer but whole milk is richer.
Topping
- Whipped Topping. Cool Whip or Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe.
- Chopped Pecans. Chop pecan halves into small pieces.
- Chocolate Shavings. You can also use mini chocolate chips.
If you scroll down, the entire ingredients can be found at the bottom.
Variations
- Crust. Substitute a graham cracker crust instead of the pecan shortbread crust for a nut free alternative. You can also use shortbread cookies.
- Whipped Cream. If you prefer, you can make Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe instead of using store bought.
How to Make Possum Pie
- Step 1. Preheat the oven. It needs to be set to 350 degrees F.
Step 2. Make the pie crust. Melt the butter in a medium size mixing bowl. Then stir in the flour, brown sugar and pecans with a wooden spoon or a fork into the melted butter.
Step 3. Add the mixture to a pie plate. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust has browned around the edges slightly. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
Step 4. Make the cream cheese layer. Then in a different bowl, beat together the ingredients for the cream cheese layer with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread this mixture on top of the cool crust.
Step 5. Make the pudding layer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the pudding layer. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to set. Then pour the pudding mixture on top of the cream cheese layer in the pie pan. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 6. When you are ready to serve, top the pie with the whipped topping, chopped pecans and chocolate shavings.
Step 7. Then the pie is ready to enjoy!
Storage
Store leftover pie in the refrigerator covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will last up to a week if stored properly in the fridge.
Pro Tips
- Food Processor – Use a food processor to chop the pecans to make sure that they are finely chopped for the crust. You can place them in a ziplock bag and use the back of a spoon to crush if you don’t have a food processor.
- Chocolate Shavings – For the chocolate shavings, you can use store bought shavings or make your own by using a vegetable peeler and a plain chocolate bar.
- Softened cream cheese – Make sure the cream cheese is softened before using. This will help to make it easy to blend without any lumps.
- Allow time to set – The layers need time to set so it cuts easily.
More Easy Pie Recipes
- Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
- Toffee Almond Pie Recipe
- Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe
- No Bake Hershey Pie Recipe
- Easy No Bake Oreo Pie Recipe
Make this decadent Arkansas Possum Pie today. Please leave a comment once you try it.
Arkansas Possum Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Butter melted
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 3/4 cup Pecans finely chopped
- For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Heavy Cream
- For the Pudding Layer:
- 1 Box Instant Chocolate Pudding 3.4 oz
- 1 Box Instant Chocolate Fudge Pudding 3.4 oz
- 1 3/4 cup Milk
- For the Topping:
- 8 oz Whipped Topping Cool Whip
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Pecans
- Chocolate Shavings
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt the butter in a medium size mixing bowl, then stir in the flour, brown sugar and pecans with a wooden spoon or a fork.
- Press the mixture down into the bottom of a 9 inch pie pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust has browned around the edges slightly. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
- Then in a different bowl, beat together the ingredients for the cream cheese layer with an electric hand held mixer until smooth. Spread this mixture on top of the cool crust.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the pudding layer. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to set some. Then spread the pudding mixture on top of the cream cheese layer in the pie pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- When you are ready to serve, top the pie with the whipped topping, chopped pecans and chocolate shavings. Then the pie is ready to enjoy!
