Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe
My chocolate chess pie is a rich, wonderfully sweet, chocolatey Southern pie that will make you fall head over heels with its classic custard-like filling with a crispy crackle on top. This easy chocolate baked treat is perfect for Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any day!
I originally shared this recipe to celebrate Black History Month. The classic quintessential Southern recipe is a must-have at any Southern Thanksgiving holiday and has satisfied many cravings over the decades.
Plus, if you’re a chocolate lover, you’re in for a special treat. No way you’d pass up something as drool-worthy as this luscious, sweet, chocolatey treat!
What Is a Chess Pie?
We may never know how this traditional Southern Thanksgiving pie got its name, but what we do know is that it’s definitely worth making. Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and sometimes milk come together for an easy custard-like pie. I was surprised to find out that pecan pie is actually classified as a chess pie.
The versatile filling loves a variety of flavors, lemon, coconut, and chocolate, which is why I had a blast creating my twist of this Southern specialty.
How to Make Chocolate Chess Pie
- Melt the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then add butter and continue melting in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until completely melted and smooth. Set aside. (Photos 1-3)
- Blind bake your pie crust for 5-6 minutes in a preheated 325°F (163℃) oven. (Photo 4)
- Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. (Photo 5)
- Add eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Finally, stir in the melted chocolate and butter. (Photos 6-8)
- Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake at 325°F (163℃) for 35-40 minutes or until the top is nicely browned or when a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool completely before slicing and serving with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and strawberries.
Recipe Notes
- Adding half a cup of grated coconut and a few drops of coconut extract makes a great dessert.
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother custard.
- Homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries make the ultimate topping choices.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This easy-as-pie make-ahead stores well at room temperature for a couple of days or in the fridge for up to a week.
For freezing, let it cool completely, wrap it tightly with a plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil, and freeze it for 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, remove the plastic wrap, and enjoy.
More Amazing Custard Pie Recipes to Try
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
This blog post was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
Chocolate Chess Pie
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (60g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
- 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust (homemade or store-bought is fine)
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons (25g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons (12g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 5-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- whipped cream if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163℃).
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate for about 30 seconds, then add the butter. Continue melting in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. Set aside.
- Line the bottom of the pie crust with parchment paper and add dried beans or ceramic pie weights on top. The beans keep the bottom of the crust from rising.
- Bake for 5-6 minutes in the preheated oven, remove from the oven, and let it cool. You want the pie crust to cook but not brown.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder.
- Then add eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract.
- Finally, add the melted chocolate and butter.
- Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake at 325°F (163℃) for 35-40 minutes or until the top is nicely browned or when a skewer inserted in the middle of the pie comes out clean (see notes).
- Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving. Serve with a dollop of this homemade whipped cream and strawberries, if desired.
Tips & Notes:
- If your chess pie is slightly runnier in the middle than it should be, but close to done, turn off the oven and leave the pie inside the hot oven for another 5-10 minutes. The residual heat should finish cooking it.
- Blind baking the crust helps keep the crust from getting soggy, but you could do an egg wash instead.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the ingredients used.
What kind of beans? I didn’t see that mentioned in the list of ingredients
Hi Yasmin, It really doesn’t matter… the beans will ensure that the bottom of the crust does not rise. You can also use these ceramic weights.
Your recipes keep getting better! It is a treat everyday!
Thank you so much. That makes my day!