Quick and Easy Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Oct 22, 2021 • 3 min read
With a few pantry staples, you can whip up an old-fashioned chocolate pudding pie in next to no time. Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream for the classic diner experience.
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What Is Chocolate Pudding Pie?
Chocolate pudding pie is a rich, velvety dessert consisting of a crumbly graham cracker crust and a creamy, no-bake chocolate pudding filling. This classic recipe, which ditches the pudding packet in favor of a homemade chocolate custard poured into a simple three-ingredient pie crust, can be prepped in just a half-hour for a nostalgic treat any night of the week.
5 Tips for Chocolate Pudding Pie
Bakers of all experience levels can master this easy homemade chocolate cream pie recipe. Follow these simple tips to create the best pie possible.
- 1. Use high-quality chocolate. The star of this pie is right in the name: chocolate. To achieve the best possible flavor, opt for a high-quality dark chocolate bar over chocolate chips or semi-sweet and milk chocolate bars.
- 2. Use a pudding packet or store-bought crust for a shortcut. For a store-bought shortcut, prepare a packet of cook-and-serve chocolate pudding to use as the filling for this pie. Instant chocolate pudding mix is not recommended. You can also opt to save time by using a store-bought graham cracker crust, which will make this a completely no-bake recipe.
- 3. Temper the egg yolks. To avoid curdling the egg yolks when adding them to the hot pudding mixture, always make sure to temper the yolks by rapidly whisking a small amount of the hot liquid into the eggs until their temperature has elevated.
- 4. Store in the fridge or freezer. Chocolate pudding pie will keep well in the fridge for two to three days. Or, if you’d prefer to prepare your pie well in advance, chocolate pudding pie will keep in the freezer for up to one month. Allow the pie to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in a layer of plastic wrap and placing it in the freezer.
- 5. Play around with ingredients. This simple chocolate dessert can be adapted in a number of ways. Swap the graham crackers in the crust for another type of cookie, like vanilla wafers, chocolate cookies, or even brownies. Replace the whole milk in the filling with your favorite dairy-free milk. Or, garnish your pudding with crushed pecans, homemade whipped cream, chocolate shavings, a peanut butter drizzle, or sliced fresh fruit.
Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe
makes
prep time
10 mintotal time
3 hr 30 mincook time
20 minIngredients
For the crust:
For the filling:
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Make the crust. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar.
- 3
Drizzle the melted butter over the crumb mixture and stir until well combined.
- 4
Using your hands, press the graham cracker mixture into a 9-inch pie dish, covering the whole pan in an even layer.
- 5
Using the bottom of a water glass or measuring cup, press down on the crust to pack it into the pie pan.
- 6
Transfer the crust to the oven and bake until slightly golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set the crust aside to cool.
- 7
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
- 8
Whisking constantly, bring the liquid to a boil and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low.
- 9
In a small mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, combine the eggs with ¼ cup of the hot pudding mixture, whisking rapidly to avoid curdling.
- 10
Add the egg mixture to the pot with the pudding mixture, and stir to combine.
- 11
Remove the pot from the heat and whisk the vanilla extract and bittersweet chocolate into the pudding until the chocolate is fully melted, about 3 minutes.
- 12
Pour the pudding filling into the pie shell and place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pie, gently pressing it into the surface of the pie filling.
- 13
Transfer the pie plate to the refrigerator to cool until fully set, 3–4 hours. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and additional graham cracker crumbs.
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