Chocolate Chess Pie

Enjoying a slice of chess pie with whipped cream and strawberries.

Chocolate Chess Pie - rich, wonderfully sweet, chocolatey Southern classic pie that will make you fall head over heels with its custard-like filling that has a crispy crackle on top. Easy chocolate baked treat just in time for Valentine's Day!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Southern

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 372kcal

Author Imma

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.

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.

Nutrition