Grandma’s Secret Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe Uncovered

Decadent chocolate dreams come alive in this classic chocolate cream pie that melts hearts with every silky bite.

Rich cocoa flavors dance through a buttery graham cracker crust, promising pure dessert bliss.

Creamy chocolate filling swirls with delicate peaks of whipped cream, creating a heavenly texture that beckons dessert lovers.

Each forkful tells a story of indulgence and comfort, whisking you back to cherished kitchen memories.

The smooth chocolate layers promise a decadent experience that transforms an ordinary evening into something extraordinary.

Sweet and velvety, this pie delivers pure satisfaction that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to savor every delicious moment of this irresistible chocolate masterpiece.

Ingredients For Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for a crisp, flaky pie base with delicate texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the richness of the butter.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates layers and adds rich, creamy taste to the crust, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Ice Water: Binds the dough together without developing tough gluten, keeping the crust tender.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create smooth, glossy chocolate filling.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, intense chocolate flavor with rich dark undertones.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent, ensuring silky and stable filling consistency.
• Salt: Amplifies chocolate's complex flavor profile.
• Whole Milk: Provides creamy base and helps create luxurious texture.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness, color, and help stabilize the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to chocolate flavor.
• Chopped Chocolate: Introduces extra chocolate intensity and smooth melting quality.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds glossy sheen and enhances overall richness.

• Heavy Cream: Creates light, billowy texture with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize whipped cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces subtle aromatic sweetness.

Baking Tools For Chocolate Cream Pie

• 9-inch pie dish: Essential for shaping and baking the pie crust.
• Rolling pin: Perfect for rolling out pie dough to the right thickness.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent crust from sticking and supports pie weights.
• Pie weights or dried beans: Keeps crust flat during initial baking.
• Medium saucepan: Crucial for cooking chocolate filling smoothly.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients and preventing lumps in filling.
• Small bowl: Needed for tempering egg yolks.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Required for whipping cream topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Plastic wrap: Helps chill pie and cover surface during setting.

Steps To Bake Chocolate Cream Pie

• Create Buttery Pie Crust

Crumble flour and salt together, working cold butter into the mix until it looks like rough sand. Drizzle icy water gradually, forming a solid dough. Shape into a flat circle, wrap tightly, and refrigerate. Roll out the dough, drape into a pie dish, trim edges beautifully. Line with parchment, add pie weights, and bake until golden and crisp.

• Craft Luscious Chocolate Filling

Blend sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Slowly incorporate milk, stirring constantly over medium heat until the mixture transforms and bubbles. Temper egg yolks by introducing hot liquid gradually. Return to heat, cooking until thickened. Remove from stove, fold in vanilla, chocolate chunks, and butter until silky smooth. Pour into cooled crust, cover surface with plastic wrap, and chill thoroughly.

• Top With Fluffy Cream

Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks emerge. Generously spread or pipe over chilled chocolate pie just before serving. Slice and enjoy the decadent dessert that promises pure comfort and indulgence.

Tips To Master Chocolate Cream Pie

• Chocolate Cream Pie Perfection: Expert Tips and Variations
• Crust Crispness Trick: Brush the baked pie crust with melted chocolate before adding filling to prevent soggy bottom and add extra chocolate flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire pie up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator for stress-free entertaining.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional flour crust with a gluten-free graham cracker or almond flour crust to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Flavor Twist: Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or even add a splash of espresso or orange liqueur to the filling for a gourmet touch.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace whole milk with coconut milk and use dairy-free chocolate and butter alternatives to create a delicious vegan-friendly version of this classic dessert.

Serving Chocolate Cream Pie Right

• Chocolate Haven Topping: Sprinkle shaved dark chocolate or chocolate curls over the whipped cream for an elegant and decadent touch that adds texture and extra chocolate intensity.
• Weekend Dessert Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a small glass of dessert wine to create a luxurious pairing that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Garnish Glam: Dust a light layer of cocoa powder over the whipped cream or add fresh raspberries around the pie's edge to create a professional-looking presentation that hints at rich chocolate flavors.
• Party Slice Perfection: Cut precise, clean slices by dipping your knife in hot water and wiping it dry between each cut, ensuring beautiful, smooth servings that showcase the pie's creamy chocolate layers.

Storage Ideas For Chocolate Cream Pie

• Smart Refrigeration Plan: Store pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping whipped cream layer separate until serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent soggy crust.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap fully assembled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, freezing for no longer than 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying, ensuring texture remains delightful.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pie crust and chocolate filling one day ahead, storing separately in airtight containers. Complete final assembly and whipped cream topping just before serving to guarantee crisp, delectable experience.
• Portion Control Technique: Cut individual slices and store in sealed containers, allowing easy grab-and-go dessert options that stay fresh for 2-3 days. Separate whipped cream in another small container to prevent potential sogginess.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

Calories: 379 kcal

Servings: 9

Classic Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe

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• Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Grandma’s old-fashioned chocolate cream pie delivers comfort through rich, silky chocolate filling nestled in a buttery crust. Homemade whipped cream crowns this classic dessert, promising sweet memories with each delightful slice you savor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large egg yolks
• 3 cups whole milk
• 4 oz (113 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 34 tbsps ice water
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Blend flour and salt, cut in cold butter until crumbly. Add ice water to form a cohesive dough, shape into a disk, and chill for 30 minutes to relax gluten and solidify butter.
2. Pie Shell Formation: Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface, transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, trim edges, and create a decorative crimped border. Line with parchment paper and ceramic weights.
3. Crust Baking: Roast in a 375F (190C) oven for 15 minutes with weights, then remove weights and continue baking until achieving a golden amber hue. Cool completely.
4. Chocolate Filling Base: Whisk sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Gradually incorporate milk, stirring to eliminate lumps. Simmer over medium heat, constantly stirring until thickening and bubbling, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. Egg Integration: Temper egg yolks by slowly introducing hot mixture while whisking. Return tempered yolks to saucepan, cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and blend in vanilla, chopped chocolate, and butter until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
6. Filling and Chilling: Transfer chocolate mixture into cooled crust, smoothing the surface. Cover directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours to set completely.
7. Topping Finale: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Before serving, generously spread or pipe whipped cream over the chilled chocolate filling, creating an irresistible dessert.

Notes

• Master Crust Technique: Use ice-cold butter and water to ensure a flaky, tender pie crust that doesn’t become tough or dense during baking.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Blind bake the crust completely and let it cool entirely before adding the chocolate filling to maintain a crisp, structured base.
• Smooth Filling Secrets: Whisk continuously while cooking the filling to avoid lumps and achieve a silky, luxurious chocolate cream texture.
• Whipped Cream Pro Tip: Chill the mixing bowl and whisk beforehand for faster, more stable whipped cream that holds its shape beautifully when piped or spread.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 379
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 99 mg