Possum Pie

Possum Pie is a Southern dessert (despite the name, it doesn’t actually contain possum!). It’s a layered, chilled pie that typically includes a pecan shortbread crust, a cream cheese layer, chocolate pudding or mousse, and a generous topping of whipped cream—sometimes with pecans or chocolate shavings on top.

🥧 Why “Possum”?

The name is a bit of Southern humor—it “plays possum” by hiding the chocolate layer under the whipped cream, so you don’t know what’s inside until you cut into it.

Classic Possum Pie Recipe

🧾 Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 1 tbsp sugar

For the cream cheese layer:

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 cup whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)

For the chocolate layer:

• 1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding

• 1 (3.9 oz) package instant vanilla pudding

• 2 1/2 cups cold milk

Topping:

• 1 1/2 to 2 cups whipped topping (or whipped cream)

• Optional: chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips, or chocolate shavings

🥣 Directions

1. Make the crust:

   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

   • Mix flour, softened butter, sugar, and pecans until crumbly.

   • Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan or deep pie dish.

   • Bake 15–20 minutes, until lightly golden. Cool completely.

2. Make cream cheese layer:

   • Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.

   • Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping.

   • Spread over cooled crust.

3. Make chocolate layer:

   • Whisk both pudding mixes with milk until thickened (about 2–3 minutes).

   • Spread over cream cheese layer.

4. Top it off:

   • Spread remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer.

   • Sprinkle with pecans or chocolate shavings if desired.

5. Chill:

   • Refrigerate at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) to set.