The short answer: this chocolate pie fills a baked crust with silky cocoa custard, chills until sliceable, then finishes with whipped cream.
- Key numbers: 1 pie (9-inch) · 4-hour chill · about 8 slices
- Top moves: cook custard thick, strain if lumpy, chill fully, cream just before serving
- Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or save your cocoa ratios in the Family Recipe Binder ($6.99).
Our picks for chocolate pie
Starter pickPrintables
Meal Planner & Grocery List
Weekly meals, a grocery list sorted by aisle, and pantry and freezer inventories so you shop once and waste less.
Printables
Family Recipe Binder
Section dividers, four recipe page layouts with room for the family story, 4x6 and 3x5 cards and a conversion chart - print it or type into the fillable version.
Amounts and methods for this chocolate pie recipe were checked November 6, 2026.
Chocolate pie ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baked 9-inch pie crust or cookie crust | 1 | Cool before filling |
| Sugar | ¾ cup | Adjust to taste |
| Unsweetened cocoa | ⅓ cup | |
| Cornstarch | ¼ cup | |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Whole milk | 2¾ cups | |
| Egg yolks (optional) | 3 | Richer custard |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons | |
| Vanilla | 1 teaspoon | |
| Whipped cream | For topping |
How to make chocolate pie
- Crust. Blind-bake pastry until golden, or prepare a cookie crust. Cool.
- Dry mix. Whisk sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan.
- Cook custard. Whisk in milk (and yolks if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick and bubbling 1 full minute.
- Finish. Off heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Strain if needed. Pour into crust.
- Chill. Press plastic wrap on the surface. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Top with whipped cream before serving.
Keep dairy custard refrigerated; do not leave out more than 2 hours (FDA safe food handling). Leftovers keep about 3 to 4 days cold.
More desserts: easy dessert recipes, chocolate chip cookies and banana pudding recipe. Fruit pie sibling: how to make apple pie.
Plan the shopping and save the recipe
Write the meal on the week plan so the ingredients are already in the cart.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly menu, aisle-sorted grocery list and pantry inventory.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Keep your spice mix and timing notes with your other family recipes.
Browse more kitchen printables in the printables shop. Pair this with easy dinner ideas or meal planning on a budget.
Want free starter pages before you buy a binder? Get the free recipe book pages (we email it to you).
Frequently asked questions
How do you make chocolate pie? Cook a cocoa-milk custard on the stove until thick, pour into a baked pie crust or cookie crust, chill until set, then top with whipped cream.
Do I need a pre-baked crust? Yes for a pastry crust — blind-bake until golden so it stays crisp under the filling. A graham or Oreo cookie crust only needs a short bake or chill, depending on the recipe on the package.
Can I use boxed pudding mix? Yes, boxed pudding mix works as a shortcut for chocolate pie. Homemade cocoa custard tastes richer and lets you control sweetness.
How long does chocolate pie need to chill? At least 4 hours, preferably overnight, so slices cut clean.
How long does chocolate pie last? Chocolate pie lasts about 3 to 4 days covered in the fridge. Keep it cold; dairy custard should not sit out more than 2 hours.
Can chocolate pie be frozen? You can freeze the filled pie without whipped cream for about a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add cream before serving.
Why is my filling runny? It needed more cook time after bubbling, or the cornstarch/flour was short. Custard thickens more as it cools — still give it a full chill.
Chocolate cream pie vs chocolate pie? The names chocolate cream pie and chocolate pie are often used for the same dessert. This page is a cream-style cocoa custard pie topped with whipped cream — what most people mean by chocolate cream pie.
Can I make it eggless? Yes, you can make chocolate pie without eggs. A cornstarch-only cocoa pudding style sets without eggs. Cook until thick and glossy.
What crust is best? Flaky pastry feels classic; chocolate cookie crust is faster and doubles the chocolate. See how to make apple pie for pastry tips you can reuse.
How do I plan chocolate pie into a week of desserts? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has a weekly menu and aisle-sorted list so cocoa, milk and crust ingredients land on one trip. Make it the day before guests.
Where can I save my family's chocolate pie recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages so your cocoa brand and sweetness level stay with your other desserts.
Sources
- FDA: Safe food handling fda.gov
- FoodSafety.gov: Cold food storage charts foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- CDC: Food safety prevention cdc.gov