Square Pudding Pie

Chocolate, Lemon, Coconut...what's your pleasure?  This square pie can be the flavor of your choice and that is not the only choice you have to make.  Make it like the original recipe or choose to make the light version.  The original recipe comes to you via my late Grandma Franklin.  The light version is my own.  

Recipe:  Square Pudding Pie
(PRINTABLE COPY) 

ORIGINAL                                                               

1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine, melted

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 oz.) package regular cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar

1-10 package whipped topping

2 packages (2 3/4 oz.) instant chocolate pudding

3 cups whole milk

2/3 cup chopped pecans                  

                                   

LIGHT 

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted 

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

 1 (8oz.) package 1/3 less fat cream cheese 

1 cup powdered sugar

1-10 ounce fat free whipped topping

2 packages (2 3/4 oz.) sugar free instant chocolate pudding 

3 cups 2% or skim milk

1/2 cup chopped almonds, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

Mix butter, flour and salt.  Spread in 9x13 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Let cool.  Mix dry pudding mix with milk and beat until thickened.  In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add powdered sugar and mix well.  Add whipped topping and blend until creamy.  Spread pudding mixture over cooled crust and then top with cream cheese/whipped cream topping.  Top with finely chopped nuts.  Chill well before serving. 

 I prefer unsalted butter.

 Mix in flour until moistened.  Don't over mix.

Press crust mixture in ungreased pan.  

 Beat dry pudding mix and milk until....

 THICK

 Beat cream cheese until smooth.

 Add powdered sugar and whipped topping.

I prefer the Cool Whip brand.

 Isn't it pretty?  Reminds me of cupcake frosting.

 Spread pudding mix on top of cooled crust.

I used Devil's Food Pudding this time.

What pudding flavor is your choice?

It doesn't have to be the same each time!

 Smooth topping on using a spatula.  This will help to

keep everything thick and smooth without the 

possibility of mixing.  

 One more look at the final Square Pudding Pie.