Recipe-of-the-week: 3 Layer Arkansas Possum Pie

Photo: Courtesy Cuinary.net

(Culinary.net) -- The star of your next spread can be hidden away in the refrigerator for a surprise delight for your guests. It's topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans, and your loved ones just may vote it to be their favorite dish.

It's an Arkansas Possum Pie, made with three delicious layers and crunchy toppings for a show-stopping dessert.

Whether it's a holiday, birthday or reunion, this pie is a perfect conversation starter. It's sweet, crunchy and filled with creamy, delightful layers of goodness. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Surprise that special someone and bake it in a heart-shaped pan!

While you are out shopping this weekend for groceries, why not grab the ingredients below at the store and make one for this week's Sunday dinner?

Arkansas Possum Pie

Serves 8

Ingredients

Crust: 3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups pecans, crushed

Cream Cheese Layer:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons heavy cream

Pudding Layer:
3 egg yolks
2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
chocolate syrup
1/2 cup chopped pecans

How to bake

Heat oven to 350 F.

To make crust: In saucepan, melt butter; add flour, brown sugar and crushed pecans. Stir until combined. Press into 9 1/2-inch deep pie plate.

Bake 15-20 minutes until crust begins to brown. Cool completely.

To make cream cheese layer: In medium bowl, mix cream cheese until creamy. Add powdered sugar and heavy cream; mix until smooth. Spread over cooled pecan crust. Refrigerate.

To make pudding layer: In medium bowl, whisk egg yolks. Add milk; whisk until combined. Set aside.

In separate medium bowl, whisk sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, flour and salt until combined.

In saucepan over medium heat, add egg yolk mixture and flour mixture. Whisk constantly until pudding begins to thicken and bubble. Add butter and vanilla extract, stirring until butter is melted. Pour chocolate pudding in shallow bowl. Cover with plastic wrap touching pudding to keep it from forming skin. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Pour pudding over cream cheese layer. Cover pie with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

To make whipped cream topping: In stand mixer bowl, add heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over pudding layer.

Drizzle pie with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

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Find more unique dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

If you make this recipe at home, use #MyCulinaryConnection on your favorite social network to share your work and send your photos to us at editor@oursentinel.com.

Prep basketball tonight: Uni-High travels to Normal West, Rockets at Rantoul

Tonight's Live NFHS Broadcasts

January 21, 2022

URBANA HIGH SCHOOL

6:00 PM - Boys Sophomore Basketball @ Normal West Central

ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL

5:30 PM - Boys Junior varsity Basketball vs Illinois Valley 7:00 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball vs Illinois Valley

UNI-HIGH SCHOOL

7:30 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Normal West

UNITY HIGH SCHOOL

5:30 PM - Boys Junior varsity Basketball @ Rantoul 7:00 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Rantoul

Click here to watch these games live or on demand tonight

** Just so you know: The Sentinel is reader-supported. When you make a purchase via a link on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission that we will use bring you more area news and sports coverage.

At home or away, a personal safety plan can give you peace of mind

Photo: StatePoint Media

(StatePoint) -- If you’re concerned about the nationwide spike in crime, you’re not alone.

According to a June 2021 SafeWise survey, 41 and 42% of U.S. adults are concerned about property crime and violent crime, up 31 and 24% respectively from the previous year.

"Being prepared means understanding the personal defense devices available and knowing how to use them safely," says David Nance, founder of SABRE Personal Safety Academy and CEO of SABRE, the number one personal safety brand of consumers and law enforcement worldwide.

To help you develop a safety plan and live confidently, SABRE is offering important insights into common crimes today, as well as recommendations for personal defense devices to use in various situations:

• Spray or gel? While most people are familiar with traditional pepper sprays, they may not understand the benefits of pepper gel or even be aware of this option. As effective as traditional pepper spray when sprayed across the eyes in an ear-to-ear pattern, pepper gel deploys 20% farther, providing protection at a greater distance.

Another big advantage of pepper gel is it only affects those it comes in direct contact with, making it safer for users and those they’re with, indoors and outside.

According to an independent University of Utah study, variability rates in the concentration of active ingredients in pepper sprays have a 30% failure rate. Tested in its in-house laboratory, SABRE guarantees its maximum strength formulation in every gel canister, including its Crossfire Pepper Gel with Belt Clip, which can be deployed at any angle, even upside down, making it more effective against moving threats.

• When parking. According to the FBI, more homicides happen in parking garages than at bars, motels, gas stations or in the woods combined. Be extra vigilant in garages. Keep keys handy for quick access to your car and carry additional protection. For example, SABRE Pepper Gel with Finger Grip and Key Ring attaches to keychains and provides 25 bursts of maximum strength protection at 12-foot range, helping put distance between you and would-be attackers.

• In the car. In 2020, Chicago carjackings were up 134%, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau report. This trend continued in 2021, with the Windy City seeing a 44% increase, Washington, D.C. a 45% increase and New York an 81% increase. Multi-use tools can make road trips and commutes safer. For example, SABRE’s Safe Escape 3-In-1 Pepper Gel with Seat Belt Cutter and Window Breaker helps aid in escape of a vehicle after an accident. For protection, it’s designed to prevent accidental deployment, yet allows the user to immediately deploy in high stress situations.

• Outdoors. Eighty-four percent of women surveyed by "Runners World" have been harassed or attacked on a run. Everyone deserves to feel safe while exercising outdoors. Consider adding the SABRE Runner Pepper Gel with Adjustable Hand Strap to your running gear. It provides immediate access to protection and reduces wind blowback, making it safer for outdoor use. A UV marking dye helps authorities identify the aggressor, so you can focus on getting to safety. Bonus: It’s reflective, increasing your visibility to drivers at night.

• At home. Equip your home to be a safe haven with pepper gel. Because it doesn’t atomize like traditional pepper sprays, pepper gel is less likely to foul indoor air. Be sure to store it in an accessible location out of children’s reach.

When it comes to safety, knowledge is key. Consider enrolling in a self-defense or martial arts course. You can also visit www.sabrered.com for educational materials and demonstration videos, and to learn more about the Civilian Safety Awareness Program and the SABRE College Safety Program.

You never know when you may find yourself in a threatening situation. A personal safety plan can provide everyday peace of mind, and help put distance between you and a threat when it counts.