Chocolate Chess Pie is such a simple pie to make with so much chocolate flavor that requires minimal effort. One bowl and a few minutes of time are all you need to prepare this pie. Serve with fresh whipped cream and you have an amazing southern dessert.
A Classic Southern Recipe
Pies are one of my absolute favorite things to eat and I especially like simple, old-fashioned pies like this Chocolate Chess Pie. Chess pies are so quick and easy to make and only require a few basic ingredients. Typically chess pies contain flour, sugar, butter and eggs.
This Chocolate Chess Pie is wonderfully sweet and full of chocolate flavor. It has a custard filling that is rich, but not too heavy and I like to serve it either at room temperature or chilled.
Bake in Advance
For best results, bake a day in advance and chill overnight. If you try and slice it right after baking, the filling will be runny. I love to refrigerate Chess Pie, but it will be fine left on the counter at room temperature for a few days.
Quick and Easy Pie Recipe
This Chocolate Chess Pie is such an easy pie to make and only a few ingredients are needed. It’s super sweet, creamy, and delicious with plenty of chocolate flavor. I usually use a store bought pie crust and then it only takes a few minutes to prep this pie. Forty-Five minutes later you have a wonderful homemade dessert to serve with supper. I like to serve it with whipped cream that’s barely been sweetened to cut the sweetness of the pie some.
Next to Chocolate Meringue Pie, this is probably my favorite chocolate pie to make. The top develops a thin, crackly layer and the filling underneath is so smooth and creamy. It’s truly a decadent treat that will transport you back in time to your grandmother’s kitchen. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also make a homemade pie crust for this recipe.
Why Do They Call It Chess Pie?
The origin of the name is debated. One theory is that it comes from the term “cheese pie” since the filling of the pie resembles the texture and color of a creamy cheese (not the chocolate version when it comes to color of course). Another theory is the name evolved from “chess pie” which was a term used for pies stored in a pie chest.
If you’d like to make a homemade pie crust for this recipe watch the video below. Linda Carman, the head of the test kitchen at Martha White, shows me how to make an easy, flaky pie crust.
Have a wonderful week full of pie!
More Chess Pie Recipe To Try
- Caramel Chess Pie
- Lemon Chess Pie
- Southern Chess Squares
- Blueberry Buttermilk Pie– very similar to chess pie.
Watch the short video below to see how easy this recipe is to make:
Chocolate Chess Pie
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 eggs,, lightly beaten
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons butter,, melted
- 1 (9-inch) uncooked pie crust,, store-bought or homemade
- whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degree.
- Bake for about 45 minutes. There will still be a little jiggle in the middle when you shake it. Cool completely before slicing. I like to chill it in the refrigerator before serving.
- Serve with whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Wonderful and easy fool proof.
Absolutely DELICIOUS ! If you like chocolate you will LOVE this pie !!
This recipe is a favorite for holidays and church bake sale.
This recipe is soooo good. We loved it. I would recommend this recipe. It is a keeper.
My niece requested a chocolate chess pie for Thanksgiving. I made this pie and it was a hit. I served it topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup to cut the sweetness. Lol 🤣 Thank you this recipe was a big success.
delightful! I’ve been makin these recipe-less for awhile, but I used this recipe to teach my niece. Came out well. Thin, crackly crust, delightfully creamy inside.
Pamela, cooking unevenly can be fixed by adding the butter first and stirring extra well, or by covering the pie in reynolds wrap to break.
Hi, do you use salted or unsalted butter for this chess pie?
Thank you,
Betsy
Excellent
Pie tasted really good.However made it twice in the same day.Both pie didn’t cook even.Bubbling up, thibk because of the butter.I will put less butter if I make again.Need to cook it aliittle more myself.