What is possum pie? Besides it being a delicious no bake pie recipe, that’s made of cream cheese, pudding, pecans, and a few other simple ingredients, it’s sometimes called Arkansas possum pie.
The cream cheese and chocolate pudding layers are buried under whipped cream, which is “playing possum” hiding the other layers. Definitely one of our favorite pie recipes to date. (Well, alongside this Turtle Pie recipe of course!)

No bake pies like this one are one of many favorite dessert recipes to make in the summer months because it doesn’t require heating up the oven. Plus, the bite of a cool, creamy dessert, on a hot day, is the sweet spot.
Some of our other favorite no-bake pies are this cream cheese chocolate pie, this, no-bake chocolate pie, and of course this super popular no-bake peanut butter pie.
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Why You’ll Love This Possum Pie Recipe
- The name says it all: With its unusual name, this pie is a conversation starter, to say the least! When someone hears what you’ve made, they’ll often ask why it’s called that. Now, you know it’s because the whipped cream is “playing possum” hiding the fun layers underneath. So no worries… no actual possum is used in this delicious dessert!
- Delicious layers: The pudding and cream cheese layers create a texture of the pie that will make your tastebuds burst! It’s a chocolate layer pie that allow different flavors to blend perfectly in each bite.
- No bake: With it being a no-bake recipe, no baking skills are required to make this easy pie recipe.
Possum Pie Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this Arkansas possum pie recipe are basic and can be found at most grocery stores!

Ingredient Notes:
- Chocolate Shreds/Curls: The chocolate shavings are just for decoration but they do make a statement. You can make your own chocolate shreds for this possum pie or buy chocolate curls.
How to Make Chocolate Curls: Melt chocolate and spread a thin layer on parchment paper, then use a small metal spatula or dull knife to scrape the chocolate off the paper in small curls. Here is a great tutorial for making chocolate curls. - Shortbread Cookies: We used Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookie. They have a nice smooth consistency and sweet flavor that is not too overpowering to mask the pecan taste.
Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Shortbread Cookies: You can use any vanilla-flavored cookie instead of shortbread cookies if desired.
- Extract: You can substitute the vanilla extract with almond extract.
- Heavy Cream: You can substitute the heavy cream with whole milk or half and half.
- Chocolate: You can substitute the semi-sweet bakers chocolate with milk chocolate or dark chocolate bakers chocolate.
- Chocolate Curls: You can substitute the chocolate shreds with fudge topping or chocolate sprinkles.
Equipment
- 9-inch pie plate or pan (mine is 2.5 inches deep)
- Large bowl
- Stirring spoon or spatula
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Stand or hand mixer
- Food processor or blender
- Large skillet or medium pot
How to Make Possum Pie
You will be chilling the pie, so make room in your refrigerator and freezer for the pie dish.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*

STEP 1. Crush the shortbread cookies, graham cracker crumbs, and chopped pecans in a food processor or blender until they resemble coarse sand.
STEP 2. Next, add melted butter to your shortbread cookie mix in a large bowl and then combine until it’s mixed together and no crumbs remain dry.
STEP 3. Lightly spray non-stick cooking spray in a 9-inch pie dish and press the crust mixture evenly along the bottom and up the sides.
STEP 4. Place the delicious pecan shortbread crust in your freezer to set while you prepare the filling.

STEP 5. In a large bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to mix the softened cream cheese, ½ cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
STEP 6. Mix until it’s smooth and creamy.
STEP 7. Next, pour the cream cheese mixture in to the prepared pie crust.
STEP 8. Smooth the cream cheese mixture into the prepared crust and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the chocolate layer.

STEP 9. Combine 2 cups heavy cream, chocolate pudding powder mix, and bakers chocolate in a large skillet or medium pot.
STEP 10. Heat on medium while stirring constantly. Making sure to stir any melted chocolate that has settled to the bottom.
STEP 11. Once the chocolate has melted, started thickening, and combined with the pudding, remove it from heat and smooth the chocolate pudding layer over the top of the cream cheese layer of your pie. Place the pie in your refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the pudding layer has thickened.

STEP 12. In a large bowl, fold the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar into the Cool Whip and spread it evenly over the top of the pie.
STEP 13. Sprinkle chocolate curls over the pie and refrigerate for an additional hour or until the pie has chilled throughout. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Pro Tip
Serve cold. This possum pie is best served chilled. It can be enjoyed at room temperature but make sure not to leave it out of your refrigerator for more than 30 minutes so that the dairy ingredients stay fresh. Do not warm this pie, it will become gooey and melted.
Cookies. Love having a good cookie recipe with your pie? This turtle cookie recipe pairs amazingly well with this pie recipe!

Recipe FAQs
It’s made of creamy layers of pudding, cream cheese, and a shortbread-pecan crust. It’s then topped with whipped cream, and chilled.
You can add extra melted butter in tablespoon increments until the crust is less crumbly. This happens because the texture of shortbread cookies varies.
Yes you can make your own whipped cream recipe if you prefer using that instead of storebought Cool Whip but if you do, leave out the powdered sugar that you would put in, with the Cool Whip.
Storage
This Possum Pie can be stored in your refrigerator covered, or in an airtight container, for up to 4 days, or stored in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the pie in your refrigerator for 24 hours or until thawed throughout.
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you love no-bake recipes because you’re not a fan of baking, or if you just love them because you love keeping things cool in the warmer months, you’ll love these other no-bake chocolate desserts:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe

Possum Pie
Ingredients
- 10 ounces shortbread cookies
- ⅓ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup butter melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar divided
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream + 2 Tablespoons
- 5 ounces chocolate "cook & serve" unprepared pudding powder mix DO NOT make pudding
- 2 ounces semi-sweet bakers chocolate
- 16 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 cup chocolate curls or shreds
Instructions
- Make crumbs: In a food processor or blender, pulverize shortbread cookies, graham cracker crumbs, and chopped pecans until they resemble coarse sand.
- Combine: Add melted butter to your shortbread cookie mix in a large bowl and combine until well incorporated and no crumbs remain dry.
- Press crust: Lightly spray non-stick cooking spray in a 9-inch pie dish and press the crust mixture evenly along the bottom and up the sides. You can use the bottom of a cup or measuring spoon to create an even smooth texture.
- Freeze: Place the pie crust in your freezer to set while you prepare the filling.
- Cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to mix the softened cream cheese, ½ cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Cream cheese layer: Smooth the cream cheese mixture into an even layer at the bottom of the pie crust and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the chocolate layer.
- Pudding layer: Combine 2 cups heavy cream, chocolate pudding powder mix, and bakers chocolate in a large skillet or medium pot. Heat on medium while stirring constantly.Making sure to stir any melted chocolate that has settled to the bottom. Once the chocolate has melted, started thickening, and combined with the pudding, remove it from heat and smooth it over the cream cheese layer of your pie.
- Refrigerate: Place the pie in your refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the pudding layer has thickened.
- Whipped topping: In a large bowl, fold the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar into the cool whip and spread it evenly over the top of your pie.
- Chocolate curls: Sprinkle chocolate shreds over the pie and refrigerate for an additional hour or until the pie has chilled throughout. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
jess says
the name of this dessert threw me for a loop, but this is the best thing I have ever had! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe
Kristyn says
This is such a heavenly dessert!! Love the creamy layers! Anything with chocolate, my family loves!!
Jamie says
Loved this possum pie! The chocolate layer was delicious! My whole family loved it!