just a little trailer park...

Well, it's the 4th.. already!  Had a busy week with work and heading to a bbq on sunday.  Too busy to get too creative with my dish to bring.. so I am pulling out the Mississippi Mud Pie recipe.   It pains me to do so.  It is that bad.  That bad, yet... it is soo good. If you had it, you totally get this.  If not, you better try it.  There is a little trailer park in all of us and I like to think mine comes out with this recipe.  
Now, I don't know where the original credit for this goes.  It was given to my family back in middle school by my friend Keri and her mom, Mrs. Toro.  We've been making it that long.
It is one that is a sure thing.  It delights everyone and is the easiest way to please a crowd, a crowd of every age.  I have also made it for a New Year's Eve party.. in champagne flutes.  Dressed up,  still knocks it out of the park.  I think it brings out the kid in everyone.  Which ain't a bad thing.

So, here's the note about the cool whip.  I am sooo against using this type of product, it goes against every grain in me.. but you cannot substitute whipped cream (tried it).  It doesn't hold up and you end up with a mess. So, just let it go and get on with your cool whip.  Just don't make it every week!
Another note,  I usually halve the butter in the crust.. it comes out more crumbly but it still is major delish and I don't think you miss it.  At least I can lose some guilt there.
This is the recipe, as it was given.

Mississippi Mud Pie

15oz. chocolate sandwich cookies (like TJ's jo-jo's or oreos)
1 stick of butter, melted

Blitz cookies in a blender.  (reserve 3 T. for topping) Mix together with melted butter and press in bottom of 9x13" glass dish.  Refrigerate. 

8oz cream cheese, room temp.
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup cool whip

Mix together cream cheese and sugar til perfectly smooth.  (Hand mixer works well here)  Then fold in cool whip.
Spread over cookie crust and refrigerate.

2 sm. packages instant chocolate pudding
3 cups of milk

Mix together using hand mixer.  Pour over cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate till set.

Top with Cool whip and sprinkle reserved cookie dust over top.

Chill for a couple of hours.

stand back.