Description
This Chocolate Chess Pie is a Southern classic with a gooey, brownie-like center and a crackly top. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s rich, indulgent, and easy to prepare—perfect for holidays or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
1½ cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
½ cup evaporated milk (or whole milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Optional: whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, crimp the edges, and chill while preparing the filling.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Add the melted butter and stir until combined.
- Whisk in the eggs one at a time.
- Add the evaporated milk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and glossy.
- Pour the filling into the chilled pie crust.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is crackly and the center is slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely on a wire rack to allow the pie to set.
- Optional: dust with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream before serving.
Notes
Use whole milk if evaporated milk isn’t available.
Add 1 tsp of instant espresso powder for a mocha flavor.
A splash of bourbon adds depth and richness.
Try a graham cracker crust for a sweeter twist.
Add chopped pecans to the filling for texture and nutty flavor.
Pie stores well refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
