Easy & Quick Chocolate Pudding Pie

Sometimes we need help when we have all the intentions of preparing something special but just don't have the time for it. The help can come in the form of shortcut ingredients or shortcut methods. And as much as I pride myself on being able to cook from scratch there are days when I want to take all the help I get. And this usually means using ingredients in which some of the work is done already. For instance, this recipe for Kulfi. All it takes is a handful of ingredients and no cooking is required. So when I set out for making this pudding pie, I was looking for something as simple as possible.

This recipe has a ready made graham cracker chocolate crust. One can use the crust without baking also but I like the texture of baked crust over the unbaked one. But the process of baking it is a short one which requires the crust to be brushed with an egg wash which results in a nicely browned crust that holds together well. The other ingredient that makes life very easy is instant pudding mix. I use a chocolate pudding mix in this case and use half the milk that is called for on the box. This will make a pudding that will set quite easily and can be cut into slices. I always like to add a splash of vanilla to it. If there are no kids eating the dessert, the filling can be spiked with Kahlua or Baileys or even a shot or two of espresso.

The garnish for this dish is very simple - it is whipped cream with a touch of icing sugar and vanilla. If you are running short of time, you can sue the ready made whipped topping that comes out of a can. If you want to keep it healthier, use fat free cool whip. I like to sprinkle it with some semisweet chocolate shavings and some sugar pearls which is always a hit with the kids. This is just a basic recipe. Feel free to adapt this anyway you prefer. Add a layer of caramel or use butterscotch pudding mix, add cookie pieces to it. Be creative and enjoy this!

Ingredients:
1 readymade graham cracker chocolate crust
1 egg (lightly beaten with a tablespoon of milk)
1 5.9 oz package Jello instant chocolate pudding mix
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 whipping cream
1 tablespoon icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 175C. Brush the inside of the crust with enough egg wash to lightly coat the crust. Do not try and use all the egg for this. Place this crust in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes till the crust becomes lightly golden brown. Once done, place it on a cooling rack to come to room temperature.

2. Mix the pudding mix with milk and add flavorings of your choice - vanilla, liqueur, coffee. Beat well with a whisk for 2-3 minutes till the pudding becomes thick and starts to look set.
3. Pour this pudding into the cooled crust and chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

4. Before serving decorate with cream whipped to soft peaks with icing sugar and vanilla.
5. Garnish with chocolate shavings and sugar pearls and serve cold.