This easy chocolate cream pie is smooth, rich, and decadent, and a timeless classic the whole family will love.
I consider myself more of a cook than a baker. Sometimes desserts intimidate me, so if I’m making one, go easy on me, please. This chocolate cream pie is my idea of a classic, easy dessert that’s perfect for non-bakers like myself. The recipe comes from fellow food blogger Lauren Brennan, of Lauren’s Latest, and was published in her e-cookbook, Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals: 30 Ridiculously Simple Family Favorite Recipes. Like all of the recipes in this book, Lauren keeps it simple and fuss-free, which I love. This chocolate cream pie can be made with a store-bought frozen crust (pre-cooked and cooled), or you can go the homemade route (pro-tip: I always keep pie dough in my freezer in case the mood strikes) and my no-fail, go-to all-butter pie crust is perfect for this recipe. I recommend using high-quality chocolate and cocoa powder (Dutch) in this recipe, for the best results. The chocolate pudding filling comes together in no time on the stove (you have to allow at least two hours for it to chill and set before eating, but I can assure you it’s worth the wait!). Let’s dig into this classic chocolate cream pie, shall we?
What’s in This Chocolate Cream Pie
I think what makes this chocolate cream pie the best is using milk with a higher fat percentage (I like using whole in this), good quality cocoa powder (Dutch process is best), and high-quality chocolate. Also, homemade whipped cream, forever and always.
- Pre-cooked pie shell (this can be frozen store-bought or one you make ahead of time)
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Milk (preferably whole)
- Bittersweet chocolate (you could use chips for this, or cut up a bar)
- Vanilla extract
- Kosher salt (Lauren’s recipe doesn’t call for any salt, but I like adding a pinch to help balance out all of the flavors)
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
Tip: If making your own whipped cream, simply combine 1 ½ cups heavy cream, ¼ cup of powdered sugar, and ¾ teaspoon vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip until you have soft peaks.
How to Make Chocolate Cream Pie
If you’ve never made a chocolate cream pie before, you might be intimidated, but trust me, you shouldn’t be. Lauren uses a pre-made pie shell which helps simplify things, and the homemade chocolate pudding filling comes together quickly and easily on the stove (yep, other than the crust, this is a no-bake pie)! The hardest part is waiting 2 hours for it to chill and set…
Here’s how to make this chocolate cream pie:
Make the filling. In a small saucepan, use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to stir the sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder together. Whisk in milk and place over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken. Once hot and thick remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate and vanilla.
Chill and set. Pour into pie plate and cover with plastic wrap. Be sure to place the plastic wrap directly on the filling. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until completely chilled and the plastic wrap comes off clean.
Slice and serve. Cut pie into 8 pieces and top with dollops of cream and chocolate shavings and serve.
Tip: Use a vegetable peeler on a bar of chocolate to make those chocolate shavings.
How do You Thicken a Chocolate Pie Filling?
This pie filling is thickened with cornstarch and no eggs or egg yolks. You can make chocolate pudding or chocolate cream pie either way (with or without eggs), but you definitely need a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour. In this case, cornstarch works like a charm because it has a smoother, finer consistency and won’t impart a taste the way flour does.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Chocolate Cream Pie
Ingredients
For the filling
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch , sifted
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder , sifted
- 2 cups milk
- 2 oz bittersweet chocolate , chopped
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- pinch kosher salt , (optional - Lauren's recipe doesn't include any but I like addint just a bit)
toppings
- sweetened whipped cream
- chocolate shavings
1 9-inch pie shell, cooked and cooled
- 1 9-inch pie shell , cooked and cooled
Instructions
- In a small pot, stir sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder together. Whisk in milk and place over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken. Once hot and thick remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate and vanilla. Pour into pie plate and cover with plastic wrap. Be sure to place the plastic wrap directly on the filling. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until completely chilled and the plastic wrap comes off clean.
- Cut pie into 8 pieces and top with dollops of cream and chocolate shavings and serve.
Nutrition
More Chocolate Desserts You’ll Love
- German Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Dipped Macaroons
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Classic Fat Witch Dark Chocolate Brownies
- Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Krispie Treats
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Love this!!
I am a subscriber to Lauren’s blog and enjoy her recipes! It’s hard to pick a favorite family recipe, but we make waffles almost every week.
I love Lauren’s blog!!! :) so happy to see her here!!
Chocolate cream pie….yum! Sounds like summer, I’m on it. :-) Thanks for the opportunity! I follow Lauren and love her recipes!
I love Lauren’s blog. She is so real. Great job with the beautiful eBook Heidi!
Just learned about Lauren’s blog today. Excited to follow it and cook up some of her recipes!
I love Lauren’s blog and all her recipes. Can’t wait to see her e book
I’ve been following Lauren’s Latest for awhile! I love the way she “talks” and her recipes and pics are awesome!! Would love to have her new e-book.
I wasn’t aware of Lauren’s blog and am going to add it to my feed! I’d love to win this book!
I first loved reading her recipes and now I love the bits and pictures of her family, her adorable daughter and new son.
I can’t wait to make the chocolate pie! Yum!
The chocolate pie looks awesome.
I actually can not tell you how I discovered Lauren’s blog, but think it was through facebook. I signed up right away and have NOT been disappointed. I have made many of her recipes, and really love the blue cheese chopped salad. It is awesome! I can’t wait for the “hard copy” of her cookbook. I will buy that one as I prefer the book in hand. Yes, I am old fashioned! Love reading about her life and children and she is a pretty amazing lady with an amazing family.
Congrats to Lauren on her baby and the book and all the success!! The pie looks delightful! Gorgeous shots!
Love it! Looks delish!
Lauren is truly one of the sweetest and most genuine people in the blogging world. Not only that, but she consistently comes up with amazing recipe ideas. It’s been such a pleasure to watch her blog grow…she deserves every ounce of success that has come her way.
I’m off to explore Lauren’s blog… how I didn’t know about it kills me! And speaking of killing me – THAT PIE! I want a slice, pwease.
I love reading Lauren’s blog. Great recipes, great words and great pics!
I love reading Lauren’s blog. She always has such great recipes and ideas. I would love to try the ones in her new cookbook!
The timing of this post is incredible! Just yesterday, my daughter said she would love to make a homemade chocolate cream pie. I have never made one before so now I get the chance to make this with her. Thanks for sharing!
What a gorgeous book. It’s good to have great recipes but the photos of them are stunning too. That is always what grabs me & draws me to a new cookbook.
Lauren’s book looks A-mazing! So happy for the introduction to another talented food blogger…thanks! My son will be all smiles when I make him the chocolate cream pie! Yuuum! :)
I can’t wait to get my hands on Lauren’s cookbook! Love her blog – and this one. Favorite family recipe is scalloped potatoes with ham. I can’t divulge the secret recipe, but it’s creamy and de-lish-ous!
Lauren’s cookbook looks amazing and I can’t wait to buy it! Or win it! :) This chocolate cream pie looks heavenly…I think I need to make it soon.
I love your daily e mails! I get up early just to look for them! I enjoy your easy recipes and especially your sense of humor! An mazel tov on the birth of your son! Look forward to more e mails and the cookbook!
A huge congrats to Lauren on her successes, her new baby, her ebook, and juggling all the balls that are motherhood, books, blogs, babies, and trying to stay sane. Bravo, Lauren! :)
The recipes & images are stunning…the choc pie and those cinnamon rolls are spectacular!!!!!!!