Best Mud Pie Dessert Recipe

Ingredients

• Crust:

  • 40 cookies (Oreos or other sandwich cookies, adjust quantity based on bowl size)
  • ¼ cup butter, melted (½ stick)

• Ice Cream Layers:

  • ½ gallon coffee ice cream (or your favorite flavor)
  • ½ gallon vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor)
  • ½ gallon chocolate ice cream (or your favorite flavor)

• Toppings:

  • ½ cup hot fudge (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ bottle Magic Shell Fudge (optional)
  • 1 bag mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, chopped (optional)
  • Chocolate ganache (optional, recipe below)

Instructions

Cookie Crust

1. Prepare Crust:
   • Pulse cookies in a food processor until coarse crumbs form.
   • Mix crumbs with melted butter. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons for topping.

Make the Layered Mud Pie

2. Layer Ice Cream and Fudge:

   • Use a sturdy glass bowl (1.5-2.5 liters).
   • Scoop 1-2 inch layers of ice cream into the bowl, smoothing out each layer.
   • Add a layer of hot fudge. Freeze for 30-60 minutes between layers for best results.
   • Repeat with another ice cream layer and optional chopped candy or cookie crumbs.
   • Continue until you have 2-3 layers of ice cream and fudge. Freeze each layer before adding the next.

3. Final Layer and Crust:

   • After the last ice cream layer, pack on the cookie crumb crust and smooth it down.
   • Cover and freeze overnight or for at least 6-8 hours.

Ganache (Optional)

4. Make Ganache:
   • Microwave ⅔ cup chocolate chips and ½ cup whipping cream in 30-40 second bursts, stirring in between.
   • Add 1 tablespoon butter, a pinch of salt, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla. Stir until smooth.
   • Cool for 10-15 minutes, then use as a layer or topping.

Unmold the Ice Cream Cake

5. Unmold:

   • Slide a small knife around the edge of the cookie crust.
   • Dip the bowl in hot water for about a minute to loosen the cake.
   • Place a plate or platter on top and flip. If needed, dip again for another 30 seconds.

6. Serve:

   • Return to freezer for 30 minutes before serving.
   • Add more fudge sauce, reserved cookie crumbs, or Magic Shell before serving.
   • Let the cake sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing. Use a hot knife for smooth cuts.

Garnish Ideas

• Drizzle more fudge or topping of choice.
• Add crushed cookies or chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
• Top with whipped cream.

Enjoy your delicious layered mud pie!