Arkansas Possum Pie

It’s got everything: chocolate, pecans, cream cheese, and fluffy whipped cream.

By
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Food and wine writer, recipe developer, and the author of Mediterranean Every Day. Her work can be found in numerous online and print publications.
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Updated May 16, 2025
Sheela Prakash
Arkansas Possum Pie with one slice removed

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

Possum pie does not contain any possum, nor is it a savory meat pie as the name might suggest. This popular dessert from Arkansas is a creamy pudding pie with layers of cream cheese filling, chocolate filling, and whipped cream in a nutty pecan crust. 

Why is it called possum pie?

Some believe this mischievous moniker comes from the phrase "playing possum," which can refer to the act of hiding something in plain sight. In this pie, the whipped cream topping hides the layers of chocolate and nuts.

Think of possum pie as a classic chocolate cream pie with an added layer of tangy sweetened cream cheese and a delicious and sturdy pecan shortbread crust that is delightfully crisp, buttery, and nutty. The filling is sweet and creamy, with a deep chocolate flavor thanks to both cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate. 

A lot of beginner cooks are scared to make custards or puddings due to fear of curdling and scrambling the eggs, so I made this an extra-foolproof chocolate pudding layer without any eggs at all. The layers set up firm enough to get a slice out with super clean layers, but are still creamy enough for a luscious mouthfeel. 

How To Make Possum Pie Your Own

Have some fun with decorating and garnishing this pie. Instead of spooning the whipped cream topping on, pipe it. Or replace the whipped cream topping with a meringue topping. And instead of chopped pecans, garnish the pie with shaved chocolate or crushed pecan sandies. 

a slice of Arkansas Possum Pie on a plate with a fork

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

Chocolate Pie Recipes

Making Possum Pie Ahead: Bake your pie in advance, saving the whipped topping. Add the whipped topping and garnish just before serving.

How to Store Arkansas Possum Pie: This recipe keeps wonderfully for up to three days in the fridge. If freezing, wrap tightly (without the whipped topping) for up to three months. Let the pie thaw in the fridge, then follow step 7 just before serving.

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Arkansas Possum Pie

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Chill 6 hrs
Total Time 6 hrs 50 mins
Servings 10 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

For the pecan crust

  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour

  • 3/4 cup (85g) finely chopped pecans

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For the cream cheese filling

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

  • 1/2 cup (57g) powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

For the chocolate filling

  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup (21g) cocoa powder

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 cups whole milk

  • 3 ounces (85g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (about 2/3 cup) 

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the whipped cream topping

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Chopped pecans, for garnish

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Prepare the crust:

    Stir the flour, pecans, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Stir in the melted butter until evenly moistened. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a standard 9-inch pie plate.

  3. Bake the crust:

    Bake until set and lightly golden, 18 to 20 minutes. The crust may puff slightly while baking. If necessary, gently tamp it down with a flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass immediately after baking. Let cool slightly on a wire rack, about 20 minutes.

    overhead view of baked pecan crust in a pie plate for Arkansas Possum Pie recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  4. Meanwhile, make the cream cheese filling:

    While the crust is cooling, prepare the cream cheese filling by whisking the cream cheese, sugar, and cream together in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

  5. Prepare the chocolate filling:

    Whisk the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt together in a medium saucepan until evenly combined. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble and is thickened into a pudding consistency, about 8 minutes. 

    Remove from the heat and whisk in the chocolate and butter until melted. Stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly for 5 minutes.

    overhead view of chocolate cooking in a pot with a whisk for Arkansas Possum Pie recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  6. Assemble the pie:

    Spread the cream cheese filling into the bottom of the cooled pecan crust, smoothing it into an even layer. Pour the chocolate filling evenly over the cream cheese filling. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the chocolate filling. Chill until pie is set, at least 6 hours or up to 2 days.

    overhead view of cream cheese layer added to the Arkansas Possum Pie recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
    overhead view of pie shell with chocolate filling added, plastic wrap covering the pie for Arkansas Possum Pie recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
  7. Make the topping and serve:

    When ready to serve, prepare the whipped cream topping by whisking the cream, sugar, and vanilla together in a large bowl until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Spread the topping over the chilled pie and garnish with chopped pecans. Serve chilled.  

    If you’re making this pie ahead, wait to make and add the whipped cream until just before serving. The finished pie will keep for a couple of hours in the fridge after the whipped cream is added.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    a slice of Arkansas Possum Pie on a plate with a fork, full pie in the background

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
628 Calories
49g Fat
41g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories 628
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 49g 63%
Saturated Fat 23g 114%
Cholesterol 89mg 30%
Sodium 230mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 124mg 10%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 290mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.