Chocolate Cream Pie
This homemade chocolate cream pie has a flaky baked crust, thick chocolate custard, and soft whipped cream topped with chocolate shavings. The filling cooks on the stove, then chills until it’s firm enough to slice. Make it the day before and add the whipped cream just before serving.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust *find my homemade crust in the notes
- Pie weights or dried beans
Filling
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 2½ cups whole milk for best results
- 4 large egg yolks
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1¼ cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges. Chill for 20 minutes.
- Line the crust with parchment and fill with pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment, then bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until golden and dry on the bottom. Cool completely.
- In a medium saucepan off the heat, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk, followed by the egg yolks.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently. Once the mixture thickens, whisk constantly until it reaches a steady bubble. Cook for 1 more minute, whisking throughout.
- Remove from the heat. Whisk in the chopped chocolate, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve if needed.
- Pour into the cooled crust. Press plastic wrap directly onto the filling and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
- Before serving, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to medium peaks. Spread or pipe over the chilled pie and finish with chocolate shavings.
Notes
Chocolate Cream Pie Nutrition Card
Serving size: 1 slice (⅛ of a 9-inch pie)Servings: 8
| Nutrient | Estimated amount per slice |
|---|---|
| Calories | 540 |
| Total fat | 36 g |
| Saturated fat | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Sugar | 32 g |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sodium |
Homemade Pie Crust (Optional)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
Instructions
Make Homemade Pie Crust (Optional)
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until pea-sized crumbs form.
- Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together.
- Form into a disc, wrap tightly, and chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out.