Possum Pie

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the crust ingredients.

Step 3

Press into a deep dish nine-inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely before filling.

Step 4

When the crust is almost completely cooled, begin making cream cheese layer; in a medium mixing bowl, using a handheld electric mixer and beat cream cheese (8 ounces), confectioners sugar,(1/2 cup), heavy cream (2 tablespoons), and vanilla (1 teaspoon) until smooth. When the crust has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture in an even layer. Place in the fridge while you make the pudding layer.

Step 5

Whisk together cornstarch (3 tablespoons), cocoa powder (1 tablespoon), espresso powder (1/4 teaspoon), and salt (1/4 teaspoon) in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the half and half and mix to a smooth paste consistency. Whisk in the remaining half and half and set aside.

Step 6

Mix milk (1 ¼ cup), sugar (1 cup), and chocolate (4 ounces) in a heavy bottom, medium saucepan. Over medium heat, stirring constantly, melt the chocolate completely. Remove the pan from heat and mix about 1/2 cup of the melted chocolate mixture into the half and half mixture. Add this mixture to the remaining chocolate mixture in the saucepan.

Step 7

Return the saucepan to the cooktop and, over medium heat, cook mixture stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Take the pan off the cooktop and add butter (2 tablespoons) and vanilla (1 teaspoon) and stir until butter is completely melted and the mixture is combined.

Step 8

Pour pudding into a clean separate bowl and cover surface completely, with plastic wrap touching directly over the surface of the hot pudding, to prevent a skin from forming on pudding as it cools. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 9

Spread completely cooled pudding over cream cheese layer. Cover the pie with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 4 hours, or even better, overnight.

Step 10

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer beat cream (1 cup), confectioners sugar (1 tablespoon), and vanilla (1/2 teaspoon) until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream decoratively over of chocolate pudding layer. Sprinkle top with chopped pecans and chocolate shavings. Slice and serve immediately.