Mud Pie

5 from 24 votes
28 Comments

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This mud pie recipe is made with creamy layers of sweetened cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream over a crunchy buttery crust. Decadent, rich, delicious!

Plate with a square slice of Mud Pie.
Featured in this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Mud Pie
  2. Layer it Up
  3. Optional Toppings
  4. Tips and Suggestions for the Best Mud Pie Recipe
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Storing Leftovers
  7. More Tasty Summer Dessert Recipes
  8. How to Make Mud Pie Recipe
  9. Mud Pie Recipe Recipe

This mud pie recipe is simple to make, yet rich and indulgent, just the way a perfect dessert should be! It is great to make during the summertime because it is cool and refreshing, and serves a crowd. Perfect for summer picnics, barbecues backyard gatherings, or even quiet summer nights on the patio when the mood calls for something sweet!

Mud pie is layered with a sweet and creamy texture that is simple to make ahead and store leftovers. It has a sweet taste to it with a comforting and savory feel. Layers of chocolate, buttery crust, cream cheese layer, and fluffy whipped topping make this a dessert that is absolutely to die for! This is the perfect combination!

Ingredients in Mud Pie

This recipe is a delightful twist on a classic Mississippi mud pie recipe, but with a few shortcuts to make it a bit easier and faster to make. Each layer uses only a few ingredients, many of them store-bought. It is layered and makes a complete dessert that everyone loves!

  • Flour – This will make the crust and build and hold the crust together with butter and pecans. The base layer needs to be strong and durable to hold the layers together.
  • Butter – I like to use unsalted butter for this recipe to control the amount of sodium in the dish.
  • Pecans – Finely chopped pecans are best! You can use a food processor or chop them by hand or purchase them chopped.
  • Cream cheese – Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature. It will whip together more smoothly with the other cream layers.
  • Powdered sugar – Sift the sugar before adding to the cream cheese to avoid lumps in the cream cheese layer.
  • Cool whip – You will use about half of the carton when layering then again to top it off. The carton will be divided and used twice in the recipe. Add more or less if needed!
  • Instant chocolate pudding mix – You can use one small package of butterscotch and one chocolate or just two packages of chocolate pudding for different combinations!
  • Milk – Take the milk out right when it is cold. We like to use thicker milk that is 2% for that creamy texture.
Ingredients to make Mud Pie including cool whip, pecans, milk, flour, powdered sugar, butter, butterscotch pudding and chocolate pudding.


Layer it Up

You can’t go wrong with this famous mud pie recipe! It is so simple to make and kids to adults love this dessert at any gathering. It is perfect for sharing and making for a crowd.

  1. Crust – To make the crust, use a stand mixer to mix the melted butter, flour, and chopped pecans. Then press it into the bottom of a rectangle pan. You could also use a 9-inch pie plate.
  2. Bake – Bake in the oven for just about 15 minutes, then cool completely. Once it’s mostly cooled, you can pop the pan in the freezer for a few minutes to speed up the process.
  3. Second layer – For the cream cheese layer, whisk together room-temperature cream cheese with the powdered sugar and cool whip until light and fluffy, then pour over the cooled pecan crust. 
  4. Third layer – Next, beat the instant pudding with the cold milk on medium speed in a large bowl for a couple of minutes. Then carefully spread over the cream cheese layer.
  5. Top layer – Finally, use a knife to spread on the remaining cool whip and chill for at least an hour in the refrigerator to set.
Slice of Mud Pie missing the corner edge next to a fork resting on the plate with a bite of Mud Pie.

Optional Toppings

It is always fun to put a twist on the top of the mud pie for special holidays and occasions! Add color to the top, celebrate special days, or make it classic with an elegant look. All these toppings and more can give you a different dessert each time you make it!

  • Worms – Create an actual mud pie with gummy worms sticking out of the mud pie layers or on top with crushed Oreos scattered about. It is a fun birthday “cake” or Halloween dessert!
  • Cookies – Crush Oreos or chocolate cookies are an added texture and flavor for the topping.
  • Syrup – Drizzle chocolate or caramel syrup over the finished mud pie before serving it. It adds a decorative touch that is pretty and elegant.
  • Candy – Crush your favorite candy bars on top for an extra layer of crunchy deliciousness! Add Crunch, Snickers, Butterfinger, or Reeses for the sweet topping option.
  • Berries – Give a burst of berries to the top for a fun and sweet topping.
  • Sprinkles – Celebrate with sprinkles and add just the colors you love! Christmas sprinkles or birthday colors are always family favorites when making this mud pie dessert!
  • Nuts – Variations of crushed nuts will give this mud pie a delicious and crunchy topping.
  • Food coloring – For the last and final layer with the cool whip, change the color using food coloring to make the holiday or event even better! Make it pink and red for Valentine’s Day or Green for St. Patrick’s Day!
Spatula holding up a slice of Mud Pie.

Tips and Suggestions for the Best Mud Pie Recipe

This mud pie recipe is straight forward and very simple to make! It has all the flavor and all the layers to help you create the best dessert. Follow these easy tips and suggestions when making this mud pie for best results!

  • Crust tip – Mix the crust well and evenly press it into the pie pan to create a solid foundation for your mud pie. Let it bake all the way ensuring that it is strong and will not break or crumble when serving.
  • Pudding flavor – The chocolate pudding layer can be easily swapped out for any other kind of pudding flavor. We have made it with pistachio pudding, butterscotch, and lemon and they are all so tasty! You could also try cookies and cream, chocolate mint, or plain vanilla. The pudding layers completely change the entire dynamic of the dessert, making it wonderfully versatile and delicious.
  • Chill – Make sure to chill and refrigerate the mud pie. This will help the layers firm up and become uniform when cut. Allow a good amount of time for chilling.
  • Slicing – Slice the mud pie using a sharp and clean knife. In between each slice dip the knife in hot water and wipe it dry between each cut. This will ensure crisp and clean slices every time.
  • Candy layer – For an added layer of texture, add a crushed-up candy bar, cookie crumbs, chocolate chips, or chopped walnuts or pecans to the top as a garnish.
  • Garnish – Drizzle chocolate sauce or hot fudge sauce over the top of each serving for all you chocolate lovers out there.
Side view of the glass baking dish showing the layers of the Mud Pie.

“Loved it! Thank you for sharing, just the perfect sweet treat I needed!”

– Noelle Simpson

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep this dessert cold at a picnic or potluck?

It’s best to chill this dessert until the very last minute, then slice immediately before serving, so the layers hold their shape.

What if I have a nut allergy?

You can swap out the pecans in the crust for chocolate cookies to make a chocolate cookie crust instead!

How long should I whip the cream for the filling?

You will want to whip the cream until stiff peaks are formed. You do not want to overwhip though. This will create a grainy texture.

Can I make the mud pie ahead of time?

Sure! Prepare the mud pie ahead of time with all teh layers and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Serve cold!

Can I freeze mud pie?

Unforunatey, mud pie is not the best frozen dessert. You can freeze the layers like the crust and mud layer separetly then assemble the pie just before serving. This may add extra steps though.

How can I make a gluten-free mud pie?

Before purchasing ingredients for the mud pie, be sure to read the product and make sure that it is gluten-free or dairy free depedning on the diet restrictions that you or your loved ones may have.

Can I make mini mud pies instead of one large pie?

I love this idea! It is perfect for serving at weddings and showers. Adapt the recipe to make individual-sized mud pies in small containers or cupcake tins. They come out so cute and pretty!

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftovers covered tightly in the fridge for up to five days. I love leftovers because the crust gets nice and soft and mixes beautifully with the layers. If transporting the mud pie be sure to use a dome over top to prevent the lid from sticking to the top layer.

More Tasty Summer Dessert Recipes

Summer dinners on the patio call for something light and sweet. Try a few of these favorite indulgent recipes for your next warm-weather gathering.

How to Make Mud Pie Recipe

Two plates with slices of Mud Pie.

Mud Pie Recipe

5 from 24 votes
This Mud Pie Recipe is made with creamy layers of sweetened cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream over a crunchy and buttery crust. Decadent, rich, delicious!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15

Video

Equipment

  • 9 X 13 inch Pan
  • Hand Mixer

Ingredients

For the crust:

For the cream cheese layer:

For the pudding layer:

  • 2 3.4 ounce packs of instant pudding mix 1 butterscotch and 1 chocolate
  • 2 ½ cups milk cold

For the topping:

Instructions

For the Crust:

  • Mix crust ingredients thoroughly.
    Mixing bowl with crumbly combined Mud Pie crust with a fork.
  • Press into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 to 20 min, then cool.
    Pressed crust in a glass baking dish.

For the cream cheese layer:

  • Beat together the cream cheese, and powdered sugar, and cool whip til smooth.
    Mixing bowl with whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar and cool whip.
  • Spread evenly over the cooled crust.
    Cream cheese layer spread in glass baking dish over the pecan crust.

For the pudding layer:

  • Beat pudding and milk for 2 minutes.
    Mixing bowl with a mixture of prepared chocolate and butterscotch pudding. Mixing beaters are resting in the bowl.
  • Then spread evenly over the cream cheese layer.
    Glass baking dish with a smoothed out layer of chocolate butterscotch pudding layer.

For the topping:

  • Spread on remaining cool whip and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
    Glass baking dish with Cool Whip layer spread on top.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature; it will whip together more smoothly with the other cream layers
  • Sift the sugar before adding to the cream cheese to avoid lumps
  • I like to use unsalted butter for this recipe to control the amount of sodium in the dish.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 134mgPotassium: 137mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 503IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

    1. I have found that too! We have called this recipe Mud Pie for at least 50 years. I’m not sure why it has changed over the years. I’m glad you found it. Happy Thanksgiving!

  1. 5 stars
    Oh yum, what a lovely dessert. Looks delicious, creamy but so light. I will definitely make this for my family. They will love it.

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