Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe – the BEST homemade chocolate pie EVER! Perfect for holidays and get-togethers. Chocolate chips, butter, vanilla, sugar, corn starch, cocoa powder, egg yolks, heavy cream, milk, pie crust. Top the pie with a quick homemade whipped cream. You can make the filling in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble and serve the pie. One bite and you will never make another chocolate pie again!

Post updated 04/22/2020

slice of chocolate cream pie with whipped cream on a plate

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The BEST Chocolate Pie Recipe

Homemade Chocolate Cream Pie is a heavenly dessert that’s simply irresistible. Picture a velvety, luscious chocolate filling, made with rich semisweet chocolate, butter, and a hint of vanilla, nestled in a perfectly baked and cooled pie crust. The filling is a dreamy concoction of smooth, decadent chocolate that’s both indulgent and deeply satisfying. It’s complemented by a layer of sweet, whipped cream, infused with vanilla and dusted with confectioners’ sugar, creating a light and airy contrast to the rich chocolate flavor. Each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors, with the crispness of the crust giving way to the silky, chocolatey goodness inside. Whether you’re savoring it on a special occasion or as a comforting treat at the end of the day, this pie is a true masterpiece of dessert creation.

chocolate cream pie in pan

How to Make Chocolate Cream Pie

This dessert is very easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Start with making the filling. You are basically making a thick chocolate pudding from scratch. Place unsalted butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.  In a large saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. Add egg yolks, heavy cream, and milk whisk until smooth. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Make sure to whisk the mixture constantly until you feel the pudding thicken.

As soon as the mixture thickens remove it from the heat and pour it over the chocolate chips and butter. Whisk until the filling is smooth. Let the mixture cool slightly and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the chocolate filling. This will keep the filling from developing a skin on top as it cools. Chill the filling in the fridge for several hours or overnight. 

Bake a frozen pie crust according to the package directions. Cool the crust on a wire rack. Add the chilled chocolate pie filling to the cooled pie crust. Top the pie with fresh whipped cream or cool whip. Garnish with chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can use any flavor of chocolate chips. Semi-sweet chocolate chips, bittersweet chocolate chips, or milk chocolate chips all work fine
  • I use a frozen pie crust for this recipe.
    • You can substitute a graham cracker cookie crust. 
    • A chocolate oreo crust would be also delicious.
  • Can Chocolate Pie be Made in Advance? You can make the chocolate filling in advance and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to serve the pie. You can make the filling a day or two in advance. I don’t suggest assembling the pie until the day you are going to serve it. 
  • How long will Chocolate Cream Pie last? The pie will keep 2 to 4 days covered in the fridge.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
slice of chocolate cream pie

What to Serve with Chocolate Pie

When serving this pie, it’s best to keep the accompaniments simple to let the pie’s rich and creamy flavors shine. A piping hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream on the side can provide a delightful contrast to the pie’s indulgent sweetness. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of chopped nuts, like toasted almonds or pecans, for a textural and flavor dimension. Alternatively, a few fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, can offer a refreshing, fruity element to balance the richness of the pie. No matter how you serve this, it is sure to be a hit! I make this recipe for all of our get-togethers and holidays. It always receives rave reviews!

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slice of chocolate cream pie with whipped cream on a plate

Chocolate Cream Pie

Yield: 6 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Chocolate Cream Pie – the BEST homemade chocolate pie EVER! Perfect for holidays and get-togethers. Chocolate chips, butter, vanilla, sugar, corn starch, cocoa powder, egg yolks, heavy cream, milk, pie crust. You can make the filling in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble and serve the pie. One bite and you will never make another chocolate pie again!

Equipment:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie crust, baked and cooled
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1⅓ cups semisweet chocolate chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup heavy cream, divided
  • 2 cups milk

Topping

Instructions:

  • Place the chopped chocolate, butter, and vanilla extract in a 2-quart mixing bowl; set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan away from heat, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt. Whisk in ¼ cup of cold heavy cream until the mixture is smooth, with no lumps. Repeat with another ¼ cup of the cream. Whisk in the egg yolks.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat, and gradually whisk in the remaining cream and milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly as the mixture thickens. Once the mixture starts to thicken, boil for 1 more minute.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture over the reserved chocolate and butter. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Place plastic wrap or buttered parchment paper on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and chill thoroughly.

Topping

  • Place the heavy cream in a chilled mixing bowl. Whip until the whisk begins to leave tracks in the bowl. Add the sugar and vanilla and whip until the cream holds a medium peak.

Assembly

  • Transfer the cooled filling to the cooled, baked pie crust. Level the top with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula. Spoon or pipe the whipped cream on top. Chill the pie until ready to serve.

Notes:

Can make the filling ahead of time and keep refrigerated until ready to assemble and serve the pie.
Store leftover pie in the refrigerator.

Steph

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Comments

  1. Our favorite pie is the chocolate cream pie from Jim N Nicks, a restaurant chain. Since COVID, we have been craving it, but haven’t been able to go. This is as good, if not better, than their pie!!
    And it is so easy to make. I had a bunch of pie crusts and this is the best way to use them!!
    Thank you for this recipe!

  2. I've never had Johnny Ray's chocolate pie. My favorite is Jim N Nick's chocolate pie, is this similar? Jim N Nick's almost like eating fudge! So good!!!

  3. Just made this filling and it is decadent. I used the Hershey's Special Dark unsweetened chocolate and added 1 tsp of espresso powder. It all came together easily and quickly. Can't wait to share this pie with friends on Thanksgiving! Thanks!!

  4. I have never made a chocolate cream pie & truthfully am not a fan of pie crusts, to me pie should have a graham cracker or oreo crust. But my husband requested this for Thanksgiving so along with the Ritz Carlton cheesecake you posted this will be making an appearance on our table.

    That being said, any tips for making this pie? When reading thru the recipe the one thing that caught my eye was that the chocolate melts when you put the hot mixture over it. Any issues with ever getting it to melt?

    Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving!

    1. I've never had any issues with the chocolate melting. It takes just a minute for it all to come together when you pour the custard over the chocolate. Just make sure you let the custard mixture thicken up. You will think it will never happen and all of a sudden it will thicken. I've always had success with this recipe. Your husband picked two amazing desserts for the holiday.

      Happy Thanksgiving!!

      1. We think this is perfect, but add any amount of sugar that you would like. I’ve only made this as written, so I can not say how it would turn out with more sugar. As always, use your best judgement with modifications.

  5. Thank you for the "better than Johnny Ray's chocolate pie" recipe! I have been trying to find their recipe online. As a matter of fact I drove to Birmingham today (I live in Tuscaloosa) just to buy 5 of Johnny Rays chocolate pies. I'm taking 4 to a dinner tomorrow night and wanted to know if I could freeze the one I'm keeping for myself and if so, how long do you think it would still taste good?
    Thanks again for sharing your recipe!

  6. Quick question (though I'm not sure when you'll be able to answer): Is this safe to make completely and refridge the night before – or does the topping need to be made and added on serving day?
    Thanks! Looks delish!

  7. mmmmmm This sounds so good. I am not a huge fan of chocolate and love the fact that this does not have an overwhelming chocolate flavor. Will save this recipe. Thanks Stephanie

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