06/19/2026
Week 25 | Arkansas — Possum Pie
We’re halfway through our Pie Adventure celebrating America 250!! 🇺🇸
Arkansas’s name derives from a French interpretation of the Quapaw word “akakaze,” meaning “land of the downriver people.” This linguistic remnant is a beautiful testament to the indigenous influence that shapes Arkansas’s identity. From being the birthplace of Johnny Cash to serving as a bellwether for American populism, the state truly lives up to its motto: “The People Rule.”
For this week’s recipe, we leaned into the version, which feels like the gold standard for this decadent dessert! 🥧
The name is quizzical, to be sure. The pie’s appearance is a bit deceptive… All that whipped cream on top is hiding creamy chocolate and a rich cream cheese layer, and a pecan shortbread crust holds it all together. How this ties to a critter’s reputation to play dead isn’t exactly straightforward, but just like a possum playing tricks, this pie is hiding its best layers underneath! 😋