Chocolate Chess Pie is a classic southern pie recipe made with just a few simple ingredients that bake up into a rich, delicious chocolate dessert that is perfect for the holidays!

slice of Chocolate Chess Pie


 

Chocolate Chess Pie

I’m so excited to share this easy recipe for Chocolate Chess Pie with you! This classic southern pie was one of my grandma’s favorites and we always make it for Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert.

This chocolate pie only requires a few simple ingredients but it packs in a whole lot of chocolate flavor. Give it a try this year and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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how to make the perfect Thanksgiving pie Chocolate Chess Pie

What is Chess Pie?

Chess pie comes in all sorts of flavors, classic (vanilla), chocolate, and lemon are the most common. It’s a very simple pie that only takes a few simple ingredients, eggs, sugar, milk, and butter.

Some also use flour or cornmeal as a binder in the recipe but my grandma didn’t add that to her chocolate chess pie so you won’t find it in this recipe.

No one is quite sure where the name chess came from. There are theories ranging from it being similar to a British cheese pie (cheesecake) that was shortened into chess pie, to it being a pie that was often kept in a pie chest which sounded like chess and the name just stuck. Who knows what the real story is…

eating a Chocolate Chess Pie

How to Make Chocolate Chess Pie:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  2. In a small bowl combine eggs, evaporated milk and vanilla extract and blend thoroughly  with a wire whisk.
  3. In a small saucepan melt the butter over low heat. 
  4. Pour the sugar and cocoa powder into the melted butter and whisk together. 
  5. Slowly, a little at a time, pour the egg mixture into the sugar mixture and whisk together until thoroughly blended. 
  6. Pour the pie filling into a 9 inch pie crust and place in the oven to bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it is done when there is just a little jiggle left in the center of the pie.
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving.

Do I Have to Use Evaporated Milk?

No, in fact that was the one change I made to my grandma’s recipe. She just used regular milk (same amount) instead of evaporated milk, most likely because that’s what she had on hand …and guess what? It works!

I switched it out for evaporated milk because I think it makes the pie slightly creamier but if you don’t have any don’t sweat it, regular milk (even skim milk) will work just as well.

What Kind of Pie Crust Did You Use?

I always use refrigerated, prepared pie crust because it’s quick and easy but I can put it in my own pie plate so it looks just a little prettier. My mom always uses a frozen pie crusts that comes in a disposable tin.

Of course you always have the option of using your favorite homemade pie crust too. Whatever works for you this is the most laid back pie ever!

sice of Chocolate Chess Pie on plate

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Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Chocolate Chess Pie

Chocolate Chess Pie is a classic southern pie recipe made with just a few simple ingredients that bake up into a rich, delicious chocolate dessert that is perfect for the holidays!
whole Chocolate Chess Pie and slice on plate
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 Pie crust
  • 3 Eggs
  • ¼ cup Evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • ½ cup Butter
  • 1 ½ cup Sugar
  • 4 tablespoons Cocoa

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl combine eggs, evaporated milk and vanilla and blend thoroughly with a wire whisk.
  • In a small saucepan melt the butter over low heat.
  • Pour the sugar and cocoa into the melted butter and whisk together.
  • Slowly, a little at a time, pour the egg mixture into the sugar mixture and whisk together until thoroughly blended.
  • Pour into a 9 inch pie crust and place in the oven to bake for 40-45 minutes. You'll know it is done when there is just a little jiggle left in the center of the pie.

  • Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 221mg, Potassium: 106mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 463IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chess pie recipe, chocolate chess pie, chocolate pie, southern pie recipe, thanksgiving pie
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda