Leave the cream cheese out on the counter to get to room temperature.
Combine cream cheese with sugar and 1tablespoon milk.
Mix on medium speed until smooth.
Fold in whipped topping.
Pour into crust and smooth.
In another bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes or until soft-set
Pour the chocolate mixture into the pie shell.
Refrigerate till set and well chilled, at least 2 hours.
Notes
This Recipe Can be Doubled: A great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two pie shells.
Add Cookies: Crushed cookie pieces in the pudding layer add texture and crunch.
Decorate: Top slices with chocolate syrup drizzles, chocolate chips, shaved chocolate bar with a vegetable peeler, oreo cookie crumbs, fruit like bananas or strawberries or decorate with sprinkles.
Variation tip: A chocolate crust or oreo crust either purchased oreo pie crust or make with melted butter and crushed oreo cookies to make an oreo cookie crust, it is a wonderful treat for this creamy chocolate pudding pie.