This chocolate cream pie is smooth, rich, and decadent. The old-fashioned filling is made with real chocolate and cocoa powder instead of pudding mix, and the whole pie is topped with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
This Easy Pie Recipe Is Perfect for Non-Bakers Like Myself
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. I recommend using high-quality chocolate and Dutch cocoa powder in this recipe for the best chocolate flavor.
The chocolate filling comes together in no time on the stove, but you do have to allow at least 2 hours for it to chill and set before eating — I can assure you it’s worth the wait!
Enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Pie shell — You can use a store-bought frozen crust (pre-baked and cooled), or you can go the homemade route (my all-butter pie crust is perfect for this recipe).
- Sugar — The pudding-like filling is super rich but surprisingly not too sweet since there’s just ½ cup of sugar in the whole recipe.
- Cornstarch — This is what thickens the filling. Do not substitute the cornstarch with flour or else your pudding won’t set up properly.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder — I prefer Dutch cocoa powder, which tastes richer and deeper than regular cocoa powder.
- Milk — Whole milk works best since it’s higher fat content makes for a creamier filling.
- Bittersweet chocolate — You could use chips for this or cut up a bar.
- Vanilla extract — Pure vanilla always delivers the best flavor.
- Kosher salt — I like adding a pinch to help balance out all of the flavors.
- Whipped cream — If making your own whipped cream, simply combine 1 ½ cups heavy cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, and ¾ teaspoon vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip until you have soft peaks. Easy!
- Chocolate shavings — You can make your own by running a vegetable peeler down the side of a chocolate bar.
Heidi’s Tip: For an even more decadent pie, replace the pie shell with an Oreo crust. A graham cracker crust would also work well here.
How to Make Chocolate Cream Pie (with Tips!)
- Bake your pie shell. You can do this in advance since the pie shell needs to cool completely before the filling can be added.
- Make the filling. We’re basically making a super thick chocolate pudding here. Sift all of the dry ingredients into a saucepan (this prevents clumps from forming), then whisk in the milk really well. Turn the heat to medium and gently simmer the mixture until it’s hot and starting to thicken up.
Heidi’s Tip: Using cornstarch and cooking it long enough on the stove (so that the pudding is starting to boil and so that it coats the back of a wooden spoon) will ensure your chocolate cream pie filling is nice and set.
- Add the chocolate and vanilla. The chopped chocolate will thicken the filling further as it melts.
- Chill and set. Turn the filling into your pie shell, then place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top to prevent a skin from forming.
- Garnish and serve. I like my chocolate cream pie topped with very lightly sweetened whipped cream and some chocolate shavings.
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 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) pie shell , baked and cooled
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch , sifted
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder , sifted (I prefer Dutch cocoa powder)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 oz bittersweet chocolate , chopped
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Toppings
- sweetened whipped cream*
- chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Assemble and bake the pie shell, if needed. This is my go-to butter pie crust recipe. It makes a double crust, so you can either halve the recipe when making this chocolate cream pie or freeze the other crust for a future pie.1 (9-inch) pie shell
- Make the filling. In a small pot, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder. 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, vanilla, and salt.½ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 cups whole milk, 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch kosher salt
- Chill for 2 hours. Pour the filling into the baked pie shell and cover with plastic wrap. (Place the plastic wrap directly on the filling to prevent a film from forming.) Refrigerate for 2 hours or until completely chilled and the plastic wrap comes off clean.
- Top and serve. Cut pie into 8 pieces and top with dollops of whipped cream and chocolate shavings and serve.sweetened whipped cream*, chocolate shavings
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Pie Recipes You’ll Love
We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest for more FoodieCrush inspiration.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.
TaraO
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.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
I love Lauren’s blog!!! :) so happy to see her here!!
Terri
Chocolate cream pie….yum! Sounds like summer, I’m on it. :-) Thanks for the opportunity! I follow Lauren and love her recipes!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
I love Lauren’s blog. She is so real. Great job with the beautiful eBook Heidi!
Chelsea
Just learned about Lauren’s blog today. Excited to follow it and cook up some of her recipes!
Sara
I love Lauren’s blog and all her recipes. Can’t wait to see her e book
shanna
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.
Julianne
I wasn’t aware of Lauren’s blog and am going to add it to my feed! I’d love to win this book!
Amber
I first loved reading her recipes and now I love the bits and pictures of her family, her adorable daughter and new son.
Heather Farris
I can’t wait to make the chocolate pie! Yum!
Lori Budnik
The chocolate pie looks awesome.
Karen
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.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Congrats to Lauren on her baby and the book and all the success!! The pie looks delightful! Gorgeous shots!
jessica
Love it! Looks delish!
Cookin' Canuck
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.
ashley - baker by nature
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.
stephanie
I love reading Lauren’s blog. Great recipes, great words and great pics!
Juli V
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!
Kim Porter
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!
Gina
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.
Jerri
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! :)
Holly
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!
Sarah Beth
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.
Beth Chernick
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!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
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!!!!!!!