I’m doing this because I love you…
and because life is so much better with cream. And pudding. And chocolate.
Heaven help me, I’ve officially gone off the deep end. I’m just going to put on my black stretchy pants now and leave them on until they permanently become part of my body. A second skin, if you may. Trust me, this pie is worth it.
Imagine a nutty graham cracker crust topped with a thick layer of dark chocolate ganache and topped with such a heavenly frozen creme that could only be made from instant pudding.
Don’t be hatin’ on the Jello!
Our grandmothers used it so it must be okay.
This is pretty much my standard summertime “take anywhere” dessert. Everyone goes crazy over it and the fact that it’s so easy to make is my little secret. It’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, birthday parties and PMS.
Especially PMS.
And if you’re sitting here wondering why my “pie” is shaped like a square it’s because I went to Target to buy a new pie plate. Brought it home, set it on the counter then brushed up a million pieces of glass off the floor after it slipped off.
That was fun.
Chocolate heals all.
No-Bake Black Bottom Pudding Pie
Adapted slightly from The Black Dog Summer on the Vineyard Cookbook <—best cookbook ever!
serves 8
Ingredients:
for the crust:
4 sheets graham crackers, smashed
2 T butter, melted
1 T powdered sugar
for the ganache layer:
8 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 pint cream
for the filling:
2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
2 pints cream (not half n’ half…use heavy whipping cream!)
cocoa to finish
Directions:
Mix together the graham crackers crumbs, powdered sugar and melted butter with your fingers and press into a glass pie plate (or 9-inch casserole pan). Freeze two hours or overnight until hard.
Next, make the ganache. Place chocolate chips in a bowl and bring the cream to a simmer on the stove (watch it so it doesn’t scorch!). Pour cream over chocolate and mix well until smooth. Pour onto frozen crust and place back in the freezer for two more hours.
To make the filling, beat together the cream and instant pudding on high until stiff peaks form. Smooth onto chocolate layer of pie. Freeze until hard (about an hour).
Right before serving, dust with cocoa powder.
Time:
30 minutes active time
5 hours total time (includes chilling—preferably chill overnight)
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{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
I almost just fell out of my chair, and in love when I saw this picture. I didn’t even need the description to realize that I was head over heels for this recipe. Oh man–with Summer BBQs coming up this is a keeper!! Thank you Jenna for all of your amazing recipes on here!
Anything with a graham cracker crust will get my attention. And thankfully I just bought some new black stretchy pants. Yoga Pants, if you will. But maybe better named Eating Pants?
oh lord. stretchy pants, here i come!
I love pudding dishes.. they are so tasty! This looks great.. I may make it for a BBQ this weekend!
I loved this recipe at first because it’s gorgeous and decadent.
But then, I saw the big bad box. And hot damn, I’m smitten! You share my mentality exactly…if eating Jell-O pudding is wrong (and it can’t be, since our gma’s ate it, right?), I don’t want to be right.
…Try a spoonful of the stuff in overnight oats. Just sayin’.
Oh no! Sorry about your new pie plate! This looks like it would be amazing in any shape or form though!
This looks scrumptious!
Woah Jenna this sounds awesome!! I love that there’s no baking required. It really does sound perfect for summer!
Yes please! Stretchy pants and no baking!? And Jell-o!?? We’re so in.
That ganache layer makes this pretty amazing looking! Pie can be any shape when it has ganache in it:-)
What church potluck heroes we will be!
“Our grandmothers used it so it must be okay.” <— LOVE THAT!
I love jello pudding desserts — and you are so right: my Grandma used jello so it must be ok.
That looks delish and I don’t even have PMS. Perfect for a memorial day weekend BBQ. Thanks for sharing!
PMS you say? Just in the nick of time, thank you.
Seriously, though, I think I’m going to drop everything and MAKE. THIS. PIE. Except, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get past the ganache layer. I think I might just hunker down there with a spoon and be done with it!
oh my! this looks like something i should make stat.
this looks amazing and so easy! Def the perfect summer picnic dessert.
Looks delish Jenna
If you’ve gone over the deep end, then so have I. I’m drooling over every supposedly “not good for you” recipe and loving it! You’re the best!
amy*
Just seen your tweet about Michael Pollan’s books…I have a feeling these desserts are going to be non-existent.
I love Jello no-bake. Agree that it’s perfect for summer
yummy!! this looks amazing!!
ha-i had something similar happen to one of my pie plate from target!…they must be bad luck.
no-bake is the best!
“2 pints cream (not half n’ half…use heavy whipping cream!)” = that is music to my ears! No one could hate on jello w/ two pints of cream added! yum!
And our grandmothers and mothers used to make things like this all the time…well, mine did. Basically my mom could take some graham crackers and a tub of cool whip and turn it into amazing things. She also added sugar, more sugar, cream, and butter to most of it.
I LOVE This recipe! And it’s no bake.
Sorry about the glass. BTDT recently with a jar of TJ’s Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce. Sticky caramel AND glass shards everywhere. OMG. Nightmare!
Perfect summer dessert. No need to heat up the house! Love it!
Yum! Looks like a great recipe for a picnic! I’ve never really seen anything like this. Looks absolutely divine!
This looks amazing!!! I love quick desserts like this
I opened my eyes this morning, opened up my computer, and this came across my twitter feed. Must be fate, don’t you agree?
I am *definitely* going to be making this for summer barbeques (or just for myself).
wow – that looks AMAZING! So nice of you to give to us on a Monday morning.
Looks totally yummy!
You are so naughty! In a good way, of course. Looks decadent, as always.
Um, this looks incredible. Definitely my new cure for PMS! Great post
These look SOOO good! So wrong, they have to be right.
okay, i just ate my weight in beet puree yesterday and now you tempt me with pudding pie? holy yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I totally just booked mark this recipe. I have a feeling this is going to be a summer hit for my small group!!!! I can’t wait!
SAY WHAT! Oh lord I am a bad bad woman! This is over the top in a good way. Awesome.
Now THIS is the only way to start off a Monday morning
I saw the title and knew this was a MUST! Now, after seeing the photos I am DEFINITELY making it!
I don’t even think this would make it into the dish. I’d eat it all (plus the crust) in the mixing bowl.
This would have been perfect for a birthday party I hosted last night!
This reminds me of the “eclair cake” my mom used to make!! She would layer graham crackers and vanilla pudding mixed with whipped cream in a 9 x 11 pan and then top it off with chocolate frosting. I don’t think there was a single natural ingredient in it but I turned out okay
yum!!
I LOVE ‘eclair cake.’ Love, love, love.
All my desserts made at church are square, so this will be perfect!! Thanks Jenna! Will let you know how many people ask for this recipe!
wish i was there!
Chocolate DOES heal all!! This square pie looks awesome!
Awesome! I feel like there is a major deficit in quality no-bake dessert recipes online. My oven moonlights as a storage receptical, and although I love to bake, I’m not always that motivated to unload it
I love these kinda pudding pies!! Oooh slipping into the stretchy pants/sun dress mode is a slippery slope. I did that one season and then all of a sudden my jeans were too tight. Ack! Never again- but that doesnt mean I wont have a big slice of this pie. =) Haha
Ohh – so goood.
This reminds me of my aunt’s banana cream pie…only minus any traces of fruit, and plus chocolate!
I may have to make this for the boyfriend before I head off to visit friends out of town this weekend… you know, just to remind him why he’s going to miss me.
I have been all about the pudding pie lately! I love that since I’m trying to cut some of {my} fat I can substitute the sugar free/fat free pudding, etc, to make this an everyday dessert! Can’t wait to try it!
I’m suffering from PMS and a horrible cold at the same time, which makes this smooth-on-my-sore-throat dessert sound delectable. Mmm.
Are you hiring recipe tasters? I think I would be PERFECT!
Ooo that is some serious dessert! While I out Jello-pudding’d myself back in college and couldn’t eat it if it paid me to, I respect your decision to use it in this recipe. Go big or go home, right? Err maybe, go Jello or go home.
about how many would this serve at a dinner party?
probably around 8
These are way too luscious and easy– that’s a lethal combo!
This no-bake pie looks beautiful and perfect for this warm weather! Would love to curl up with a slice of this deliciousness and one of your recommended summer readings!
This looks really good! Just a question, would you serve it frozen like an ice cream cake? I would like to make it this coming weekend!
I’d also like to know this! I made it last night and it’s in my freezer now, so do I take it out this morning to serve tonight? Inquiring minds need to know …
I’m adding the pudding mix straight from the box to the cream, correct?
I can’t wait to make this!!
I am also wondering this! I’m a newbie….help please!
Also…another newbie question – If I want to double the recipe, do I just straight double everything? Or are there some mysterious baking conversions that need to be made? Thanks thanks thanks
This looks amazing! And, I love that it is no-bake…perfect for summer
I made this for the Bake-Off at our 4th of July Block-Party Yesterday and I won the Bake-off! Thanks for the great recipe!
Have just run across this recipe and have started it-.he crust is freezing…–once it is totally done do you keep it in the refrigerator or is it okay at room temp? I am experimenting with using a cup of egg nog rather than all cream.
Thanks
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