There’s nothing quite as nostalgic and soul-satisfying as a slice of Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie. This Southern classic brings together a rich, velvety chocolate custard and a flaky crust, creating a dessert that’s perfect for laid-back family gatherings or festive celebrations. The simplicity of the ingredients and the depth of flavor makes this pie a comforting treat, cherished for generations and sure to be a new favorite at your table.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie is how its humble, staple ingredients blend together to make something truly decadent. Each element here plays a vital role—whether it’s the deep cocoa flavor, the creamy texture, or the golden crust, you’ll see why it’s so important to keep things simple and classic!

Pie Crust: A prepared 9-inch crust provides a crisp, buttery base that contrasts perfectly with the silky filling.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the bittersweet cocoa for just the right amount of decadence.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The main event! Go for a good-quality powder—this is where your chocolate flavor truly shines.
All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the custard so every slice holds together beautifully.
Salt: Just a pinch brings out every subtle layer of chocolatey goodness.
Whole Milk: Delivers that classic creamy consistency; richer than low-fat but not too heavy.
Large Egg Yolks: Essential for giving the pie its luscious, custard-like texture and gorgeous color.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a fragrant, cozy finish to round out the chocolate flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Melds everything into a smooth and glossy filling with a hint of richness.
Whipped Cream or Meringue (Optional): A fluffy topping is the perfect finish for this classic pie, but it’s absolutely delicious served plain, too.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Step 1: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients

Start things off by whisking the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt together in a medium saucepan. This helps break up any lumps and ensures your chocolate pie filling is smooth and lump-free—a simple step that makes all the difference!

Step 2: Add the Milk

Gradually whisk the milk into the dry mixture. Take your time to pour it in slowly while whisking, so you end up with a silky base that’s completely free of clumps. This milk-chocolate combo already smells amazing.

Step 3: Cook the Custard

Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly. In about 8 to 10 minutes, the mixture will thicken and start to bubble. Keep a close eye and don’t walk away—constant stirring is the secret to an ultra-smooth Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie custard!

Step 4: Temper the Egg Yolks

This step prevents scrambled eggs in your pie. Whisk a few spoonfuls of the hot chocolate mixture into your beaten egg yolks, slowly and steadily. Once blended, pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly to fully incorporate everything.

Step 5: Finish Cooking

Return the saucepan to medium heat. Stir and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the filling becomes thick, glossy, and utterly irresistible. You’re almost done, and your kitchen should smell like chocolate heaven by now.

Step 6: Stir in Butter and Vanilla

Remove the saucepan from the heat, then add in the butter and vanilla extract. Stir until the butter is melted and the filling is completely smooth. This is the final step in creating that rich, custardy layer that makes Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie so crave-worthy.

Step 7: Fill the Pie Crust

Pour the hot filling into your prepared, cooled pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula to make it picture-perfect. Now comes the hard part—waiting!

Step 8: Cool and Chill

Let the pie cool to room temperature first. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours so the filling sets to the perfect sliceable consistency. If you can wait even longer, the flavors develop even more depth.

Step 9: Add Toppings and Serve

Finish with a billowy cloud of whipped cream or a dramatic swirl of meringue, if desired. Or leave it simple and let the classic chocolate flavor shine all on its own!

How to Serve Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Garnishes

You can’t go wrong with clouds of freshly whipped cream or a golden meringue swirl crowning your Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie. For a little extra flair, try a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or even a handful of chocolate curls for a bakery-worthy finish. A light dusting of cinnamon or espresso powder is also a fun way to tweak the flavor.

Side Dishes

This pie is rich and chocolatey, so a light, crisp side balances things beautifully. Consider serving it with fresh berries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a simple fruit salad. If you want to go classic Southern, a hot cup of coffee or sweet tea makes the perfect pairing.

Creative Ways to Present

Individual mini-pies are a fun twist for gatherings or parties—just divide the filling among pre-baked tartlet shells for personalized treats. For a rustic vibe, serve pie slices on mismatched vintage plates with a spoonful of whipped cream. Want to wow a crowd? Build a trifle by layering crumbled chocolate pie with whipped cream in glasses!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover slices into an airtight container or cover the pie dish tightly with plastic wrap. Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors just deepen, making leftovers as delicious—if not more so—than the first slice!

Freezing

If you need to keep your pie a bit longer, freezing is an option. For best results, freeze individual slices on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. Thaw pie slices overnight in the fridge before serving. Be aware that whipped cream and meringue toppings won’t freeze well; add toppings just before serving when possible.

Reheating

The beauty of Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie is that it’s usually served cold, so there’s no need to reheat. If you prefer a slightly warmer slice (maybe topped with a scoop of ice cream!), microwave a slice for about 10–15 seconds. Don’t overdo it, or you risk melting the custard.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought crust for Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie?

Absolutely! A ready-made, pre-baked pie crust saves time and still delivers a delicious result. If you love to bake from scratch, homemade crust is always lovely, but store-bought works great for this recipe.

Is it possible to make this pie dairy-free?

You can swap the whole milk for your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk, like almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative. The texture may change slightly, but it will still be deliciously chocolatey.

How do I get a smooth chocolate filling without lumps?

The key is constant whisking, both when combining the ingredients and while the custard cooks. Make sure to temper your eggs slowly, and always add the milk gradually to prevent flour or cocoa lumps.

Can I substitute cocoa powder with melted chocolate?

For Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie, cocoa powder is preferred for that classic flavor and creamy texture. Using melted chocolate would change the texture and richness, but you could experiment with a combination for a richer result!

Why isn’t my pie setting properly?

This usually happens if the custard isn’t cooked long enough or if the ingredient ratios are off. Be sure to cook until the filling is nice and thick before pouring it into the crust, and always chill thoroughly.

Final Thoughts

Few desserts are as warm, comforting, and joy-inducing as Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie. If you’ve never tried making your own, now is the perfect moment to start. Whip up a batch, share it with loved ones, and let every bite transport you back to simpler times—delicious memories guaranteed!

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie. A silky chocolate custard filling nestled in a flaky pie crust, topped with billowy whipped cream or meringue – a classic dessert that never goes out of style.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie:

1 prepared 9-inch pie crust, baked and cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Whipped cream or meringue for topping (optional)

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, about 8–10 minutes.
Remove from heat. Slowly whisk a few spoonfuls of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks to temper them, then return the yolk mixture to the saucepan, whisking constantly.
Return to medium heat and cook for 2–3 more minutes until thick and glossy.
Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla until fully melted and smooth.
Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and smooth the top.
Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
Top with whipped cream or meringue before serving, if desired.