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.

Slice of Chocolate Chess Pie on a plate.

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.

Chess Pie cut into slices.

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.

Chocolate Chess Pie in metal pie tin.

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

Pie cut into slices.

Watch the short video below to see how easy this recipe is to make:


Chocolate Chess Pie

4.88 from 25 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
This Chocolate Chess Pie will make you feel like you are sitting in your grandmother's kitchen. It is rich creamy and so sweet and full of chocolate flavor! It's a classic southern dessert that has stood the test of time.
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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.


  •  In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar and  cocoa powder until blended.

  • Add eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, salt, and butter. Mix well and pour into prepared pie crust.
  • 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

Store pie in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutritional info is an estimate only and will vary based on brands of products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Chocolate Chess Pie

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65 Comments

  1. Erika Kaytlynn Smith says:

    I wonder if my Utah elevation messed up this pie. The flavor is SO SO SO SO yummy, but 45 minutes wasn’t enough, and my pie was more like batter/pudding. Has this happened to you before? Also, do you par-bake your crust?

    1. Becca says:

      Im in montana and 45 min was definitely not enough time for me either. At 45 minutes its still very liquidy for me

  2. Jennifer says:

    INSTRUCTIONS
    1.Preheat oven to 350 degree.
    2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar and cocoa powder until blended.
    3.Add eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, salt, and butter. Mix well and pour into prepared pie crust.
    4.Bake for about 45 minutes. There will still be a little jiggle in the middle when you shake it.
    5.Cool completely before slicing. I like to chill it in the refrigerator before serving.
    6.Serve with whipped cream.

  3. Jennifer says:

    Here is this recipe. I just copied and pasted for those who couldn’t see. Will put the directions the same way in next comment ๐Ÿ™‚

    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

  4. skeptic says:

    We were surprised at how rich and yummy this pie was! With the plain top, it looks very humble coming out of the oven. We topped with whipped cream, of course. I thought it could use a little crunchy/salty (like peanuts) – so it was suggested I try it with a pretzel/sugar/butter crust.

  5. Duckie says:

    I followed the recipe for the chocolate Chess Pie but unfortunately, it didn’t turn out well. The filling was completely dry and I am wondering if 45 minutes was too long a time to bake a pie that has so little volume. Has anyone else mentioned baking it for a shorter time? If I try it again I’ll bake it for about 20 minutes and maybe that will work.

  6. Meredith says:

    Just a question – will the pie rise? Filled it to recipe spec but itโ€™s about 2/3 full of the storebought 9-inch pie plate. Iโ€™m sure I can remedy with whipped cream but just curious!

  7. Sophie Anderson says:

    Very good and rich chocolate pie dessert. Ingredients are on hand mostly and I loved how creamy this pie is. Will make again.

  8. Malissa says:

    This pie was so good, so rich, and so easy! Only make it if you really like chocolate.

  9. LeLe B. says:

    Would have like the recipe for this pie, However I am not permitted to add Chrome to my computer so I backed out. Guess I’m out of luck with your recipe that was featured in 6 Old-Fashioned Pie Recipes Worth Bringing Back
    Guess I will look for a recipe elsewhere. Where I don’t have to download a program to get it. Looked good though in the pics .

  10. Trevor says:

    Um, where’s the recipe?

    1. Robin says:

      Thats what i want to know
      Wheres the recipe

      1. Ali says:

        Recipe not found. I get that a lot on Pinterest. Itโ€™s annoying.