Contest Winning Mud Pie Recipes

Steps:

• Thoroughly blend graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter. Press firmly in bottom of 9x13 inch pan.
• Blend together half the whipped topping, 3/4 cup sugar, and softened cream cheese. Spread mixture on top of crust.
• Whip together the puddings and milk and spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping.

Steps:

• Freeze the crust until firm, about 30 minutes. Place half the coffee ice cream into a bowl, and let it stand about 10 minutes to soften. Return remaining ice cream to the freezer. Mix softened ice cream with the mini chocolate chips. Spread the ice cream and chips in an even layer over the frozen crust. Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 2 hours.
• Heat the topping in the microwave on low until warm and easy to pour, 30 seconds to 1 minute (do not let the sauce get very hot). Pour into a bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons cookie crumbs for garnish; stir remaining cookie crumbs into the fudge topping. Remove the pie from the freezer, and layer the cookie crumbs and fudge topping mixture over the ice cream with chips. Cover with plastic wrap, and return to freezer for 2 hours.
• Take the remaining frozen coffee ice cream out of the freezer, and allow to stand for about 10 minutes to soften. Layer the ice cream over the layer of cookie crumbs and fudge topping. Cover with plastic wrap, and return to freezer for 2 more hours.
• Remove pie, and frost the top of the pie with the whipped topping. Top with the reserved cookie crumbs. Cover with plastic wrap, and return to freezer for 2 more hours to freeze the whipped topping layer. Cut the pie into serving pieces, and drizzle each serving with about 1 tablespoon of the chocolate syrup.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the cocoa powder, then the boiling water. Let it bubble up for a few seconds, then turn it off and set it aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar and salt. Pour the chocolate mixture over the flour mixture and stir a few times to start to cool the chocolate.
• In a separate small bowl, mix the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs. Pour over the flour-chocolate mixture and mix until everything is combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler.
• Sprinkle the marshmallows over the cake, then return the dish to the oven to broil until the marshmallows start to turn golden, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
• For the icing: Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the milk and cocoa powder. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar in 4 to 5 additions. Stir in the nuts and vanilla.
• Pour the icing all over the marshmallows, allowing some marshmallows to remain visible. Let the icing set, then deliver or serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat flour, pecans and butter until blended. Press into the bottom of a 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove to a wire rack; cool completely. , Make chocolate pudding according to package directions; let stand 5 minutes. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth; fold in 1 cup whipped topping. Spread cream cheese mixture over cooled crust. Spread pudding over cream cheese layer; top with remaining whipped topping. If desired, top with additional pecans and chocolate curls.