Orange Push-Up Creamsicle Pie

When I come across a recipe that intrigues me, I put it on a "really must try that" list filed in the steel trap commonly known as my brain. Now that same steel trap can forget a lot of things, like making or keeping appointments, or people's names, or birthdays but it never forgets a recipe or where that particular recipe resides, whether it be in a cookbook, magazine or on-line. Imagine being so lucky as to have such a selective photographic memory? 

We were all thanking our lucky stars that I didn't forget about making this pie because Tuesday night a taste of it had our guests' eyeballs rolling back in their heads. A dead ringer for orange push-ups, or the orange creamsicles we enjoyed as kids in the land of my birth, the flavors are bound to make your taste buds wake up and say "howdy...where the heck have you been all my life!"

It is so simple to make and so incredibly rewarding, I just can't tell you - but I will, if I must. Merely made from combining cream cheese, instant vanilla pudding, orange geletin, non-fat dry milk, fresh orange juice, and a touch of Cool Whip, the fabulous filling is loaded into a purchased shortbread crust and hits the fridge for a good chill. That's it, that's all people. Now aren't you upset that you didn't think of it yourself? I sure am.

Sliced and topped with another dollop of fake cream, it is absolutely blissful - calorically challenged, but blissful; however, if you can't abide the thought of so many calories ending up on your plate, for heaven's sake use low fat cream cheese and sugarless pudding and geletin mixes. I didn't but I could have and when I make this beauty again, surely to goodness I'll have a fully operating kitchen so I can make the crust from scratch. 

I'm also considering making it into mini version and hiding them in the freezer instead of the refrigerator. I bet they'd be awesome too, although it's kind of hard to improve on perfection. 

Orange Push-Up Creamsicle Pie from JBug’s Kitchen adapted from The Best of the Best from Iowa Cookbook)

2 – 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened (full fat or fat free)

1 – 4 serving package vanilla instant pudding mix (sugar free is fine)

1 – 4 serving package orange gelatin (sugar free is fine)

2/3 cup non-fat dry milk powder

1 cup unsweetened orange juice

1 small carton Cool Whip (divided)

1 prepared shortbread pie crust

Place softened cream cheese in bowl of food processor and pulse until soft and fluffy. Add vanilla instant pudding, orange gelatin, milk powder and orange juice and process until well mixed, scraping down sides of processor as necessary. Add 1/3 cup cool whip and pulse just until mixed.  Scrape mixture into prepared pie crust and refrigerate covered for a minimum 2 hours. Slice and serve garnished with Cool Whip.  Makes 6 to 8 servings.

A year ago - Linguini with Sundried Tomatoes and Clams 

Two year's ago - Sweet and Spicy Country Style Ribs and Beans

Comments

[Lorraine]

Yum! I have to say that for someone without a working kitchen you work wonders. Memories of my childhood for sure.

[June]

Thanks Lorraine; however, I'm not sure you'd be saying that after what happened Friday. Cooking is still OK but the clean-up has caused some major issues. There is a story and I'll tell it as soon as I'm out of trouble. Ha.

[Betty]

hi my Sis I will certainly be trying "Orange Push-Up Creamsicle Pie" my dear lady will enjoy this so much. hugs

[June]

Better make two and you might get a raise...ha! Hugs back atcha'.