PIE MUD RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 325˚F. Grease a metal 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place butter and chocolate in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds until melted, about 1 minute 30 seconds total. Whisk together sugar, eggs, and melted chocolate mixture in a medium bowl. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into melted chocolate mixture. Fold in pecans and vanilla.
• Spoon batter into prepared baking dish. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, 20 to 21 minutes. Remove cake from oven, and cover top with marshmallows in an even layer. Bake at 325°F until marshmallows are just soft, about 2 minutes.
• While cake is baking, prepare the Chocolate Frosting: Heat butter, milk, and cocoa in a medium saucepan over medium until butter is melted, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring mixture to a boil. Boil 1 minute, and then remove from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Immediately drizzle cake with Chocolate Frosting. Let Frosting harden about 2 hours before cutting cake into squares.

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan with nonstick spray and line the sides with a strip of parchment paper, trimming it flush with the top of the pan.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cookie crumbs and melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Transfer the crumbs to the prepared pan and use the bottom of a measuring cup to press them into an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Set the pan aside while you make the brownie layer.
• Make the brownie layer: In a large glass bowl, combine the chocolate and butter and microwave on high power, 30 seconds or until melted and smooth.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and eggs until lightened in color and foamy, about 1 minute. Pour in the melted chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Add the flour and stir until just combined.
• Pour the batter over the crust in the pan and smooth out the top with a rubber spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted halfway between the center and the edge comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the pudding layer: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt until combined. Add the egg yolks and a splash of the milk and stir until it the mixture forms a thick, smooth paste. Add the remaining milk and whisk until smooth. Set the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, 8-10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and add the butter and vanilla and stir until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
• When the brownie layer is ready, transfer the pan to a wire rack, pour the warm pudding over the brownie layer, and smooth out the top with a rubber spatula. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 1 day.
• When ready to serve, whisk the chilled cream in a medium bowl until it forms stiff peaks.
• Remove the pie from the refrigerator. Remove the outer ring of the springform pan, then peel away and discard the strip of parchment paper and set the pie on a serving plate. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the pie, and dust with additional cocoa powder. Serve the pie chilled.
• Enjoy!