Miss Carroll’s Arkansas Possum Pie

Miss Carroll's Kitchen - December 2023

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To Paul Guess and many of you, this pie does not contain Possum. The name may have originated with the idea that the rich layers of cream cheese and chocolate are “playing possum” underneath the thick layer of whipped cream. True or not - the Arkansas Possum Pie is well-known in Arkansas and beyond. When I posted pictures of my pie on social media, I had people from all over the country wanting a piece of my Arkansas Possum Pie.

Now you can have your own Arkansas Possum Pie right in your own kitchen.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Baking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Refrigeration time: 4 hours
Servings: Makes about six dozen cookies

Cooking Equipment

Mixing bowl
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Mixing spoon
Mixer
9-inch pie plate
Off-set spatula

Arkansas Possum Pie Ingredients

Crust

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar

Cream Cheese layer

8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Chocolate layer

1 (3.4 oz) box instant chocolate pudding
1 (3.4 oz) box instant chocolate fudge pudding
1 3/4 cup milk

Whipped topping

1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 cup pecan halves
Chocolate shavings, use your favorite milk chocolate

Whipped topping

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter, flour, pecans, and brown sugar.
Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan and bake until the crust begins to brown around the edges, 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely.
In a clean bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and heavy cream with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread into the cooled crust.
In a separate bowl, combine the pudding mixes and milk and allow to set-up for 5 minutes. Using an off-set spatula, spread thickened pudding over cream cheese mixture and place in the refrigerator to chill until set, at least 4 hours.
When ready to serve, make the topping by beating the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over chocolate pudding layer and top with pecan halves and chocolate shavings.