Nana’s Hydrox Pudding, aka “Dirt” – Gluten Free

Okay. Not a lot of ingredients here, but it’s a slightly more complicated recipe than just whipping ingredients and chilling. This one takes a bit of time. But it’s so worth it! Make this when you have a little bit of time. It’s even better if you just make it the day before you plan to gorge on, I mean eat, it. You’ll thank me later.

1. Soak 1 envelope of Knox gelatin in 1 cup of milk for an hour.
2. Then, combine 1 cup of sugar and 2 egg yolks and mix with the gelatin.
3. Cook over medium heat in a sauce pan until it’s the consistency of boiled custard (approximately 7-10 minutes).
4. Stir consistently!! It’s done when it coats the spoon and sticks.
5. Set aside and cool the custard until completely set, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
6. Whip 1 pint whipping cream for approximately 3-5 minutes until it doubles in consistency and has thickened to a “whipped cream”. Set aside.
7. Beat the two egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
8. In a separate larger bowl, beat the chilled custard until it’s smooth and creamy. This is key and usually where I mess this dessert up. If this is not creamy, you will end up with little yellow spots throughout the dessert.
9. Add the egg whites and whipped cream to the creamy custard. Continue to beat until completely smooth and creamy (approximately 2 minutes).
10. Using approximately 2/3 of the bag of cookie crumbs, mix with melted butter and press into a greased (or sprayed with cooking spray) 9×13 glass baking dish.
11. Spoon the creamy filling onto the pressed cookie crust.
12. Sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs across the top until it’s completely covered (again, another common name for this dessert is “dirt.”).
13. Chill for 3-4 hours before serving.

(I get the Kinnikinnick gluten free cookies and crumbs at www.kinnikinnick.com. They’re sold in some stores like Whole Foods, as well.)

My whole family loves this dessert. I make it at Thanksgiving, and if there is any left, I finish it off for breakfast the next day. I just can’t help myself!