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. 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
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Pin This RecipeThe BEST Chocolate Pie Recipe
This is the best chocolate pie EVER! Really, it is! It is just as good, if not better, than the chocolate pie from Johnny Ray’s here in Birmingham. The chocolate filling is creamy and not overly chocolate. The whipped cream is perfectly sweet. This is really easy to make – I just used a frozen pie crust and it tasted great. I can’t believe I waited so long to make it. I will be making this pie again for Christmas.
How to Make Chocolate Cream Pie
This pie is very easy to make. Start with making the filling. You are basically making a thick chocolate pudding from scratch. Start with placing some butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Next, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt in a saucepan. Next whisk in egg yolks, heavy cream, and milk. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. 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 for several hours or overnight. Once the filling is cool, spread it into a baked pie crust and top with whipped cream.
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. Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator.
This Chocolate Cream Pie is our go-to pie recipe. I make it for all of our get-togethers and holidays. It is dangerously delicious!
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Chocolate Cream Pie
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
- ⅔ 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
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
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:
Steph
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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!
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!!!
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!!
That sounds delicious! I love the addition of the espresso.
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!
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!!
Mrs. Whitebass – I'm using direct heat.
Are you using direct heat or a double boiler? Thanks
I’m concerned if it is sweet enough using only 2/3 cup of sugar.
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.
you could freeze it – just eat it within about a month
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!
Yes – you can make it completely the day before. Enjoy!!
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!
I just used a hand whisk, but a mixer will work too
Are you using a hand wisk or a hand mixer with a wisk attachment?
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