In the small town of Pocahontas, Arkansas, a bakery has taken the nation by storm with a dessert that epitomizes Southern charm and culinary creativity. Buttercream Bakery and Frozen Custard, owned by the indomitable Misty Stowers, has earned critical acclaim for its signature “Possum Pie,” propelling Stowers to compete at the prestigious World Food Championships in Indianapolis.
The dessert, intriguingly named but devoid of actual possum, is a sweet testament to Arkansas’ rich culinary heritage. Stowers, who launched her bakery in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, turned adversity into opportunity. Her bakery quickly became a local treasure, thanks in large part to this layered delicacy.
“I like to joke around and tell people one of our specialties is the Arkansas Possum Pie – and there’s no possum included,” Stowers told Fox News Digital with a laugh.
The pie’s recipe is as layered as its flavors. “The Arkansas Possum Pie starts with a pecan base crust,” Stowers explained. “Then we have a cream cheese layer, followed by a chocolate pie layer. It’s topped with homemade whipped cream and more pecans.”
The name “Possum Pie” stems from the dessert’s playful nature, as it “plays possum” by concealing its rich layers beneath a thick topping of whipped cream. While its origins remain unclear, the dessert was first spotlighted in a 1983 restaurant review in the *Arkansas Gazette*. Since then, it has become a hallmark of Arkansas cuisine, rarely seen outside the state but celebrated by locals and tourists alike.
Stowers has embraced the quirky name, joking, “We don’t go pick up roadkill!” But the humor doesn’t detract from the pie’s serious flavor. “If you’ve never tried the Possum Pie, you’re missing out,” she said. “It’s comfort food – and we love comfort food in Arkansas.”
The dessert’s allure has caught the attention of food critics nationwide. Cindy Alldredge of *Most Delicious Life* gave a glowing review of the pie, marveling at its four layers of decadence: “A crust with butter, brown sugar, and pecans… then a cream cheese layer, a chocolate pudding layer, and topped with whipped cream and more chocolate! Who knew Arkansas was holding out on us?!”
Alldredge also praised the whimsical name, adding, “There may not be a good explanation, but I LIKE the name. It had me at ‘possum.’”
The pie’s growing popularity is a reminder of the cultural richness that thrives in America’s heartland. In an era where big-city trends often overshadow rural traditions, the story of Stowers and her Possum Pie is a refreshing narrative of local pride and entrepreneurial grit.
For those lucky enough to visit Arkansas, Stowers offers this invitation: “You can’t go wrong with the Possum Pie.” Indeed, this unassuming dessert has become more than a sweet treat—it’s a slice of Southern heritage, served with a side of humor and heart.
