No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie

Serves 8

This no-bake chocolate cream pie recipe is extremely refreshing and delicious. Because it uses a prepared graham cracker crust, it’s not only easy to make but there is no baking required. However, the pie must be kept refrigerated until ready to eat. No baking makes this yummy dessert recipe ideal for preparing and serving during the sweltering summer months!

Ingredients:

• 1 prepared graham cracker crust pie shell (or homemade)
• 2 (3.4 oz. each) boxes instant chocolate pudding mix (must be instant)
• 3 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 (8 oz.) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed before use (We used Cool Whip. Reserve one for the final topping.)
• Shaved chocolate – your preference milk or dark (optional garnish)
• Mini marshmallows (optional garnish)

Directions:

Using a mixer, beat together the pudding mixes and heavy cream. (Ignore pudding box directions.) Mixture will be thick. Fold in one of the containers of whipped topping. Then beat on low until combined. Spoon and spread this mixture over your prepared crust. (Tip: If you have too much filling, add it to dessert cups and refrigerate for a separate treat.) Cover pie and refrigerate. Once cold and set, put the second container of cool whip over top of pie filling. Then garnish with shaved chocolate and mini marshmallows. Serve immediately or return to fridge until ready to eat.

Chocolate fun-facts:

• Chocolate products begin with the cacao tree, originally native to the Americas.
• Today, about 70% of cocoa is from the African nations of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
• The fruits of cacao trees are called pods.
• One pod is roughly the size of a football.
• One pod contains about 40 almond-sized cacao beans, which are technically seeds.
• Once fermented and roasted, the beans develop a rich and complex flavor.
• The Hershey Company is the largest chocolate producer in the U.S.

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