Family Pie Bake-Off Winner: Chocolate Pudding Pie

I love to bake cakes from scratch and have never been a big pie maker until recently. I was surprised at just how easy it is to make most of the pies I like.  In fact, I find making pies a whole lot easier than baking cakes. Hubby’s family had a pie contest at their recent Christmas gathering.  Almost everyone participated including many of the children.  In total there were almost a dozen pies and the competition was fierce.

I found out about the contest at the last minute and had to come up with a pie pretty quickly. I opted to make a chocolate pudding pie with peanut butter cup topping since I had all the ingredients on hand.  This is a pretty easy pie to make and it is quite delicious.  In fact, I am happy to report that this is the pie that won the family pie bake-off!

Chocolate Pudding Pie

Ingredients

• Baked 9 inch pie crust (homemade is better, but you can also use store bought)
• Chocolate pudding (see recipe here)
• Topping (optional)

Directions

1. Make chocolate pudding as directed, reducing milk to 1 1/2 cups. If you are making pudding from a box it will not be as good but it will still work.
2. Pour pudding into baked pie crust.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. If you are using homemade pudding be sure to place plastic wrap directly onto the pudding to avoid a pudding skin.
4. Add your choice of topping before serving.  I chopped up two peanut butter cups and placed them on top of the pie. Other ideas include whipped cream, Andes mints, or Butterfinger.

This pie is easy and fast. Why not whip one up today?

By the way, I wanted to share a few pictures of some of the other pies from the bake-off, including an adorable picture of my very excited seven-year-old cousin and his yummy blueberry cherry pie.