mud pie

This is one of my favorite desserts from my childhood, and it's so simple! This would be great for your 4th of July party, but be sure to keep it chilled until dessert time. You don't want Mud Pie SOUP!

1 pkg Oreos
1/2 gallon Vanilla ice cream, softened while you're working on the Oreo crumbs

1. Crush the Oreos in you food processor, blender, or put them in a gallon-size plastic bag, close it and run a rolling pin over them until crumbly. Save 1/2 c. Oreo crumbs and press the rest into a 9x13 pan.

2. Open up all side of the ice cream container. Cut the ice cream into 6 1" sliced. Place on top of Oreo crumb layer. Smooth ice cream into an even layer. Chill in freezer while preparing Chocolate Sauce.

Chocolate Sauce:
2 c. Sugar
1 T. Flour
1 2/3 c. evaporated milk
2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 t. Vanilla extract
1/4 c. butter
1/2 t . salt

3. Boil 1st 4 sauce ingredients in a small saucepan for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in other ingredients. Allow to cool and thicken.

4. Once the sauce is cooled, pour the sauce over the ice cream layer. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Put back in freezer to set.


** I've used the chocolate sauce above many times, but think the next time I make this, I'll use the recipe below. It has GREAT flavor and seems to set-up better.

Alternate Chocolate Sauce:
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1/3 c. light corn syrup
1/3 c. butter
1 t. vanilla extract

a. Combine sugar and cocoa in a small saucepan; blend in milk and syrup.
b. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.
c. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla.
d. Allow to cool, then pour over ice cream layer. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Put back in freezer to set.

4 layer dessert

I LOVE this dessert! And it's great because you can modify it so it can be ALL CHOCOLATE or all fruity or whatever you like! It's scrumptious!

2 3 oz. pkg instant pudding (see below) (1 pudding pkg per pie)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. Cool Whip (name brand works best)
1 c. powdered sugar
2 ready-made crumb crusts*
1-2 c. Cool Whip

1. Mix each pudding with 1 3/4 c. milk each. (If both of your puddings are the same flavor you can mix them together using 3 1/2 c. milk.) Allow to set & chill.

2. Mix cream cheese, 1 c. Cool Whip & powdered sugar. Divide between the 2 crusts. Divide pudding between pies (if they're the same flavor; if not, put each pudding flavor in its own crust). Top each pie with 1-2 c. Cool Whip.

3. Using the plastic cover that came with the pie crust, turn it over and it makes the perfect lid for your pie. Crimp the edges of the pie pan. Chill until ready to serve. Get some while you can! These will go quickly!

* In the baking aisle by the chocolate chips, etc. See possible combination below-
Pie combinations:
Chocolate or Oreo crust & chocolate pudding
Nilla crust & Banana or Coconut pudding
Graham cracker crust & Lemon, Banana, Coconut, Pistachio or Butterscotch pudding