Chocolate Layered Dessert--the Original Mississippi Mud Pie

I made one of my most favorite desserts for Sunday's holiday dinner. I just call it Chocolate Layered Dessert, but I've also seen it called Chocolate Yum-Yum and Mississippi Mud Pie.

Like most of my favorite recipes, this one is simple to make; and although the crust is baked for a few minutes, it's a a good one for hot weather because it requires little actual cooking and makes for a cool and delicious ending to any meal, holiday or not.

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1/2 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 c flour
• 1 t sugar (optional)
• 1/3 c chopped pecans

Cut the flour and sugar into the softened butter, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in chopped nuts, and press into the bottom of an 8 x 8 oven proof dish. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until the crust is set and lightly browned. Cool completely

Layer one:

• 1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 c powdered sugar
• 1 c cool whip or whipped cream
• 1 t vanilla

Mix everything together and spread on the cooled crust.

Layer two:

• 1 small package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 1/2 c cold milk

Whisk together milk and pudding mix, then pour over the cream cheese layer

Refrigerate until set.

Layer three:

At this point, I usually add an additional layer of cool whip or whipped cream. Occasionally, as I did this time, I add the topping to each individual serving. Sometimes I add a few chocolate shavings on top, or few finely chopped nuts, just to look pretty.

Variations:

Although most people these days make this with chocolate, when this recipe first made the rounds years ago, it was also made with vanilla, lemon, or butterscotch pudding.

Instead of pudding, you can also use fruit pie filling--it's especially good with cherry or blueberry.

What's your favorite flavor of this yummy layered dessert?

This post is linked to:

Meatless Monday at Sweet and Savory

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace

Tuesday at the Table at All the Small Stuff

Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Chocolate Obsession at My Sweet and Savory

Until next time, good cooking, and good eating!