Mocha Pudding (or Pie)

The pudding is definitely one of the easiest desserts ever made and it's also one of the most delicious. You can make a pie with it or serve it up in pretty stemware with a glorious swirl of whipped cream and a cherry on top to fancy it up for the Queen if she's coming to dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (4 serving size) Jello Chocolate Pudding (NOT instant)
• 2-3 tsp. instant coffee (I really like Taster's Choice intense flavor)
• whipped cream (homemade is always best)
• cinnamon for sprinkling on top (optional)

Directions:

If you're making a pie, have your pie crust all baked and cooled.

To make your filling (or pudding), follow directions on pudding package(s), but add the instant coffee in with the dry pudding and stir the milk into both while heating on the stove. Cook as usual, and when done, remove from burner and cool as package directions say. When almost cool, spoon into pie crust, pudding cups, or glasses, Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, cover tops of puddings (or pie) generously with whipped cream, adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to tops if desired.

Note: Double this recipe if you're making a 9 inch deep-dish pie, and use a pre-baked pie crust (homemade or store-bought). Crust has to be baked and cool.

Source: From my Mother who loved her coffee. I'm sure she came up with it by herself just as many other good cooks have done. If it hasn't already been done, someone will add it to a cookbook one of these days.

By Julia from Boca Raton, FL