Description

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie is a classic dessert with a lush, silky chocolate custard filling and tender, flaky crust. This timeless Southern recipe delivers the perfect balance of rich cocoa flavor and homespun sweetness, creating a deeply satisfying chocolate experience that’s both comforting and impressive.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pre-baked pie crust (homemade or store-bought, 9-inch)
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups whole milk (or 2%)
3 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Ensure your 9-inch pie crust is pre-baked and cooled completely.
In a medium saucepan (off heat), whisk together sugar, flour, and cocoa powder until well blended.
In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Add milk and whisk until combined.
Gradually pour the wet mixture into the saucepan with dry ingredients, whisking constantly to combine.
Place saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly as the mixture heats, until it comes to a gentle boil and thickens to a pudding-like consistency (about 7-10 minutes).
Once the custard holds a soft shape and coats the back of a spoon, remove from heat.
Immediately stir in the butter and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Pour the hot chocolate custard into your cooled, pre-baked pie crust and smooth the top.
Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling (to prevent skin formation) and let cool to room temperature.
Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight until set.
Remove from fridge, peel away plastic wrap, and serve with optional whipped cream.

Notes

Whisk constantly while cooking to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth texture.
Use high-quality cocoa powder for the richest flavor.
Dutch-process cocoa powder lends an even deeper color and taste.
Always pour hot filling into a completely cooled crust for best texture contrast.
Chill for at least 3-4 hours, but overnight is best for mess-free slicing.
For dairy-free options, substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative and use almond or oat milk.
For gluten-free, swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend or use half as much cornstarch.
Add ½ cup of chopped chocolate or chocolate chips for extra richness.
The pie can be made 1-2 days ahead and kept refrigerated.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American Southern

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
Calories: 345
Sugar: 26g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 102mg

Keywords: chocolate pie, old-fashioned dessert, chocolate custard pie, southern dessert, homemade chocolate pie, classic chocolate pie