Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe with Butter Crust

Looking for an easy-to-make pie that your whole family will love? This homemade chocolate cream pie recipe is the ticket! From the buttery crust to the silky smooth filling to the sweet & fluffy whipped cream topping, this dessert is a dream!

Homemade Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe

My family tore this pie up as soon as I served it and I couldn’t be happier about that. Even the one who doesn’t usually care for sweets couldn’t resist! This is the perfect make-ahead dessert for a family treat, potluck, bake sale, or just because mama has a sweet tooth.

You will need to allow the chocolate pie filling to set for at least 4 hours so be sure to prep it in advance. 

What is a Cream Pie?

I was mistaken about the difference between a cream pie and a custard pie for years. Those terms were used interchangeably for me until I learned that they are not actually the same at all.

A cream pie is made with a base of eggs, sugar, and cream (or milk). The filling is cooked on the stove and then poured into a pre-baked cooled crust.

A custard pie is made with a similar base, however the uncooked filling is poured into an uncooked crust and baked together in the oven.

Ingredients

Homemade Pie Crust

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 3/4 teaspoon Redmond salt
• 1 ½ tsp sugar**
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter (in chunks)**
• 7 tablespoons cold water**

      Egg Wash

• 1 egg
• 1 TBSP ice water

Chocolate Pudding Filling

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 TBSP Corn Starch
• 6 large egg yolks
• 2 ½ cups milk (whole milk is best)
• 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar (chopped) or chocolate chips 
• 6 TBSP Butter
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

Whipped Cream

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 TBSP powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Instructions

STEP ONE: Make the Crust

Start by making the crust. To make my traditional pie crust, follow the recipe here. You can use a store-bought crust, a homemade graham cracker crust, or an Oreo cookie crust. 

For this Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe, you need to have a fully cooked and cooled crust. 

STEP TWO: Combine & Simmer

Combine dry ingredients in a medium saucepan. Then add the egg yolks, milk, and chopped chocolate. Stir together and bring to a simmer. Stir constantly to avoid scorching. Heat for about 8 minutes (until thick and starting to show big bubbles). 

STEP THREE: Remove from Heat & Add Other Ingredients

Remove the pan from the heat and add in the butter and vanilla. 

STEP FOUR: Pour Chocolate Mixture Into Cooled Crust

Once the butter and vanilla are incorporated well, pour the rich chocolate filling into your cooled crust.

STEP FIVE: Allow to Set

Once the filling has cooled to room temperature, cover and move it to the fridge for 4-6 hours (or overnight if you can wait that long).

STEP SIX: Top with Whipped Cream & Chocolate

Make some homemade whipped cream by adding cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer and whipping until medium peaks form. You can see detailed instructions here. Then plop it on top of the cooled chocolate cream pie. 

Shave or chop a little extra chocolate and sprinkle it over the top to garnish.

Enjoy!

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