Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe (2024)

Chocolate Chess Pie is a classic Southern chocolate pie with a creamy middle topped with a crisp topping. Chess pie is easy and so delicious!

Looking for more delicious chocolate recipes? I think you’ll love my Best Chocolate Cake, Best Chocolate Cupcakes, and Grandmother’s Chocolate Cobbler. Yum!

Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe (1)

Chocolate Chess Pie is seriously one of the best things ever created – especially if you love chocolate like I do.

Creamy, custardy, and oh-so chocolatey on the inside, chocolate chess pies are also crowned with the signature crunchy top crust that you’ll find in really good chess pie recipes. This pie is always a favorite dessert. We especially love it topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

And really, the simplicity of a chess pie makes it even more special.

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Easy Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe
  • What is Chess Pie?
  • How To Make Chocolate Chess Pie
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Storage Tips
  • Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Delicious chocolate pie recipe. Every single bite is filled with delicious chocolate flavor.

Easy to make. The hands-on time for making this amazing chocolate pie is less than 10 minutes and it is easy enough for a beginning baker. I learned to make it with my Grandmother when I was a young girl and I haven’t looked back!

Great to make ahead or freeze. Since the cooling time is key to this recipe, it is great to make ahead or to freeze to serve later.

Easy Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe (2)

See the inside of that pie?

Oh my goodness!!!

Irresistible!

What is Chess Pie?

Chess Pie is a traditional southern pie recipe with deep roots in England. Chess pie is made from sugar, flour, butter, and eggs and then baked in a pie crust. The combination of the sugar and flour mixed together gives the pie a crispy, crackle finish on the top while leaving a custard-type filling from the eggs. Cocoa powder is also included in this chocolate version of the classic pie.

How To Make Chocolate Chess Pie

To make this pie, you’ll need the following ingredients:

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Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • Sugar – I use granulated sugar in this recipe.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – I use natural unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.
  • Flour – a little all-purpose flour is used to thicken the pie filling.
  • Espresso Powder– optional, but recommended to enhance the chocolate flavor in this pie.
  • Salt – just a pinch is used to balance the flavors of the pie.
  • Butter– you’ll use melted and slightly cooled butter for this recipe.
  • Evaporated Milk – I make homemade evaporated milk. You can also use your favorite store-bought.
  • Vanilla extract – enhances the flavors in this sweet pie recipe. Use a high-quality vanilla extract. I love to use my homemade vanilla extract. It is so easy to make and always delicious!
  • Eggs – In this recipe, you’ll use lightly beaten eggs for the pie filling.
  • Pie crust– you’ll need one unbaked pie crust. You can use homemade pie crust or your favorite store-bought in a pinch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Mix the pie filling. Whisk together sugar, cocoa, flour, salt, and espresso powder. Pour your melted butter and evaporated milk into the sugar and cocoa mixture and beat on high speed with an electric mixer. Mix in vanilla extract and eggs until well combined and continue to mix for about 2 minutes to lighten the batter.

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Pour into the pie crust and bake. Pour the chocolate mixture into a 9-inch, unbaked pie crust. Bake for 55 minutes.

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Cool the pie before slicing. The center of the pie will be a bit soft. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack for an hour before slicing. The pie will continue to set as it cools.

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Storage Tips

To store leftovers. Cover the pie loosely with wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To make ahead. This pie is excellent to make ahead as it is best served cold! Like with the storage instructions, make the pie ahead of time and cool. Cover the pie loosely with wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove from the refrigerator, slice, and serve.

To freeze. You can easily freeze a baked Chocolate Chess Pie. Bake and cool completely. Wrap tightly with freezer-safe wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, that in the refrigerator overnight and then slice and serve.

Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe (11)

Here’s my recipe for Chocolate Chess Pie. I hope you love it as much as we do!

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Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe (16)

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Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Chocolate Chess Pie is a quintessential Southern chocolate pie. Get this family favorite chocolate chess pie recipe.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup (297 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (21 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.58 g) espresso powder, optional
  • pinch (0.4 g) kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons (57 g) butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 5 ounces (141 g) evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
  • 3 large (150 g) eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 (9-inch) pie crust, unbaked

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325º F.

  • Whisk sugar, cocoa, flour, and espresso powder (if using) and salt together. Pour butter and evaporated milk into sugar and cocoa mixture and beat on high speed. Add vanilla and eggs. With mixer speed on high speed, mix for approximately 2-3 minutes to lighten.

  • Pour mixture into 9 inch unbaked pie shell and bake for about 55 minutes. The center of the pie will be a bit soft. Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before slicing. The pie will continue to set as it cools.

Notes

Storage, Make Ahead, and Freezer Instructions

To store leftovers. Cover the pie loosely with wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To make ahead. This pie is excellent to make ahead as it is best served cold! Like with the storage instructions, make the pie ahead of time and cool. Cover the pie loosely with wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove from the refrigerator, slice, and serve.

To freeze. You can easily freeze a baked Chocolate Chess Pie. Bake and cool completely. Wrap tightly with freezer-safe wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then slice and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 319IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:All Recipes, By Cooking Style, Chocolate, Christmas Recipes, Cooking, Dessert Recipes, Father’s Day Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, July 4th Recipes, Mother’s Day Recipes, Pies / Tarts / Cobblers, Recipes, Shower Recipes, Southern Favorites, Thanksgiving Recipes, Valentine’s Day Recipes

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chocolate chess pie made of? ›

The custardy filling is made with eggs, sugar, milk, butter, cornmeal, vanilla, and unsweetened chocolate. The filling gets baked into an all-butter pie crust until it's just set in the middle and crackly on top, just like your favorite brownies! What's the cornmeal do in chocolate chess pie?

Why do they call it a chess pie? ›

One story is that it was called a "chest" pie, since it was made with anything found in your chest, or pantry, but because of the Southern accent, it turned into "chess." Another story is that a woman who whipped up the recipe called it "just pie," which with the Southern accent, it turned into "chess" pie.

What is the difference between chess pie and regular pie? ›

Cornmeal as a stabilizer in the filling is distinct to chess pie.” Buttermilk is the main factor in differentiating the two pies. Adding an acidic ingredient, like buttermilk or vinegar, to the pie will cut down on the sweetness and change the consistency of the filling.

Are Derby pie and chess pie the same? ›

You can also think of pecan pie as an extension of chess pie, with brown sugar and corn syrup taking the place of granulated sugar and pecans adding nuttiness and crunch. And then there is Kentucky bourbon and walnut pie (aka Derby pie), which adds Bourbon, chocolate, and walnuts to the chess pie formula.

What is funeral pie made of? ›

Vintage Funeral Pie Recipe is an old-fashioned dessert that is made from raisins, spices, and walnuts. It was traditionally made by the Amish, but this sugary pie fits right into a Southern cook's recipe box.

What is another name for chess pie? ›

And so, supposedly, the name “Chess Pie” was coined. Chess pie and its many Southern variations — including vinegar pie, transparent pie and Tyler pie (a favorite of Edna Lewis's, putatively named for President John Tyler and perfected by the women of Miss Lewis's hometown of Freetown, Va.)

Why do they call it Shoo Fly Pie? ›

According to historian William Woys Weaver, the molasses had been named after an iconic circus animal (Shoofly the Boxing Mule), who had been named after a popular song written during the Civil War (“Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me”). The hearty pie-cake fusion remains popular in Pennsylvania's Amish country.

What is the difference between chess pie and pecan pie? ›

Some nut pies, including some pecan, fall under the category of chess pies. Traditional pecan pie recipes do not include milk or condensed milk in the filling, and are typically regarded as a type of sugar pie similar to British treacle rather than a milk-containing custard (see Pecan pie § Variations).

Why do you put cornmeal in chess pie? ›

Cornmeal: Along with flour, cornmeal helps thicken up the chess pie's custard. Flour: For thickness and body in the custard. Salt: A little salt balances the pie's sweetness. Butter: Use unsalted, but if you only have salted, cut back on the salt you add.

What is the pie rule in chess? ›

Pie Rule is when white makes an opening move and the other player has the option to either take over the white pieces or play the game as usual. It's a way to lessen the advantage of first move by encouraging a weak opening move at the risk of giving that opening move to the opponent.

Is a buttermilk pie the same as a chess pie? ›

However, chess pie is made with cornmeal to thicken the filling, whereas buttermilk pies generally only use all-purpose flour.

What is kentucky state dessert? ›

In 1969 they trademarked the name "derby pie" to both the state government of Kentucky and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Since then, the trademark has constantly been renewed as a federally registered trademark.

What pie is Ohio known for? ›

The buckeye pie is made of chocolate and peanut butter fillings, artfully layered to imitate the appearance of the nut—or the namesake candy.

What is penguin pie? ›

Penguin Pie – Smoked Haddock, Potatoes, Cheese & Onion Sauce | Brockleby's.

What's the difference between a chess pie and a buttermilk pie? ›

However, chess pie is made with cornmeal to thicken the filling, whereas buttermilk pies generally only use all-purpose flour.

Does chess pie have another name? ›

And so, supposedly, the name “Chess Pie” was coined. Chess pie and its many Southern variations — including vinegar pie, transparent pie and Tyler pie (a favorite of Edna Lewis's, putatively named for President John Tyler and perfected by the women of Miss Lewis's hometown of Freetown, Va.)

What are Mcdonald's pies made out of? ›

Ingredients: EITHER: Water, Apple (23%), WHEAT Flour (contains Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil), Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Dextrose, Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg), Flavourings, Cassia Extract.

Why do chess pies crack? ›

When you move a pie out of the oven too fast, you risk cracking the top. One trick of the trade to keep pies from cracking is to place the pie dish on a cookie tray to bake. That way, when you take it out of the oven once it's finished baking, you don't have to worry about moving it too much.

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