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Chocolate Chess Pie

Chocolate chess pie is one of those desserts that is so rich and delicious, you won’t be able to stop at one piece.

The crackly top, fudgy gooey pie is rich and decadent. People will be asking for seconds of this delicious pie.

The Best Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Chocolate chess pie on a plate.

This really is the best chocolate chess pie recipe. All chocolate lovers crave this on the regular. The pie is easy to make, and it only takes about ten minutes to get it whipped up and in the oven.

And you most likely already have all of the ingredients in your pantry. The recipe features basic ingredients that come together and make a wonderful dessert.

We love this chocolate pie around here, and it will definitely fill that chocolate craving that you have.

A slice of chocolate chess pie on a white plate.

Chess pie, or chess squares, are one of the easiest desserts to make, and they are some of the most decadent as well.

The center is always creamy and gooey with a crunchy, chocolatey outer layer.

Give these other chess squares recipes a try:

What Do I Need To Make Chocolate Chess Pie?

The Southern classic is made up of simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry.

  • 9″ pie crust unbaked
  • Sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Eggs
  • Evaporated milk
  • Butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar or whipped topping (optional for garnishing)

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post.

A slice of chocolate chess pie on a white plate.

How Do I Make The Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe?

  1. Add the sugar and unsweetened cocoa to a large bowl and whisk together.
  2. Next, add the eggs, evaporated milk, butter, and vanilla extract and mix well.
  3. Pour into a pie crust and bake for 55 minutes.
  4. Cool for at least one hour before cutting.

Step-By-Step Directions

Sugar in a large glass bowl.

Start by adding the sugar to a large bowl.

Sugar and cocoa in a glass bowl.

Next, add the unsweetened cocoa to the bowl and mix the two ingredients.

I used a whisk to whisk them together.

Pouring evaporated milk into a glass bowl.

Pour the evaporated milk into the bowl.

Eggs, evaporated milk, flour, sugar, and cocoa in a large glass bowl.

Finally, pour the eggs and melted butter into the bowl and mix well.

TIP: If the butter is still hot, either mix the ingredients before adding the butter or pour it into the batter away from the eggs, as it can cook the eggs a little bit (speaking from experience).

Chocolate chess pie in a pie crust.

Pour the pie batter into an unbaked pie shell.

I used a store-bought frozen pie crust. I personally think it makes life a lot easier, but they aren’t quite as tasty and flaky as a homemade crust.

I placed the prepared pie crust on the counter to let it thaw out before adding the pie mixture.

Baked chocolate chess pie.

Bake the pie for 55 minutes. The middle will still be a tad jiggly, and that is ok. It will still bake a little after you take it out.

I have made several of these pies, and they are pretty much going to crack every time.

One way to try and avoid cracking the top is to place the pie on a cookie sheet while you bake it. When you are taking it out of the oven, it won’t bend the pie and crack it.

But it still might crack as it cools.

The other trick to avoiding too many cracks is to set it on the counter after it cooks and don’t touch it again until you’re ready to put it into the fridge or slice it.

It won’t hurt anything if it cracks, and it still tastes just as amazing.

Chocolate Chess Pie

You can either allow the pie to sit on the counter and cool or place it in the fridge. Either way will work.

Add a little fresh whipped cream on top.

Chocolate chess pie on a counter with milk.

What is Chocolate Chess Pie?

The pie is an American favorite and has a gooey, decadent center and a top that gets crunchy when you cook it.

And the flaky pie crust with a golden brown edge makes it more of a treat.

Chocolate Chess Pie slice on a white plate with a fork.

Do You Refrigerate Chocolate Chess Pie?

You can leave it out for the day, but I would suggest refrigerating it soon after. You can leave it in the refrigerator for about three days.

More Delicious Desserts

A slice of chocolate chess pie on a plate.

Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe Card

Check out the recipeย below for an easy dessert recipe. Grab those ingredients, and start baking! This is a wonderful Southern chocolate pie that you will want to make again and again.

Then, share your comments below and share a picture of your pie on the Pinterest Pin!  If you made any changes or added something different, be sure to share it with us so we can try it, too!

chocolate chess pie with powered sugar on top

Chocolate Chess Pie

4.75 from 8 votes
Julie Pollitt
Chocolate chess pie is one of those desserts that is so rich and delicious, you won't be able to stop at one piece. The pie is so easy to make that it only takes about five minutes to get it whipped up and in the oven.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Pie
Cuisine American
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 1444 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 9 ” unbaked pie crust
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 5 ounce can evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
  • Thaw the pie crust, if frozen.
  • Add the sugar and unsweetened cocoa to a large bowl and whisk together.
  • Next, add the eggs, evaporated milk, butter, and vanilla extract and mix well.
  • Pour into the pie crust and bake for approximately 55 minutes. The center will still be a tad jiggly.
  • Let cool for at least one hour.

Video

Notes

TIP: If the butter is still hot, either mix the ingredients before adding the butter, or pour it away from the eggs, as it can cook the eggs a little bit.
TIP: To avoid cracking the pie, cook it on a cookie sheet, and do not move it after taking it out of the oven. The pie might still crack as it cools, however.
For this recipe, you can use a frozen crust (thawed), a refrigerated pie crust, or your own homemade pie crust.
If the edges of the crust get too brown while baking, place a pie crust shield over the edges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 1444kcalCarbohydrates: 185gProtein: 11gFat: 74gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 38gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 1138mgFiber: 5gSugar: 52g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4.75 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. Wendy Klik says:

    Oh my…I make a Holy Cow Chocolate Brownie Pie that my family loves. I’ll have to try this recipe and see how it compares. Thanks

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      That sounds like a pie I’d really like!

  2. I love simple to make desserts like this pie. What a treat!

  3. YUM!!! That looks so rich and chocolaty. I am going to have to make one!

  4. I’ve never had chess pie before, and this looks like the perfect recipe to start with!

  5. Oh my, this pie looks so incredibly decadent and delicious! I can’t wait to try a slice!

  6. Yum. I love chess pie but I’ve never made a chocolate version!

    1. Julie Pollitt says:

      It is delish! I love chess squares, pies, bars, lol!

  7. Angie | BigBearsWife says:

    Making this for Thomas soon because I know he is going to love this!

  8. Christie Campbell says:

    We used to make chess pie every year, but never tried a chocolate version. I may have to whip that up next year to Derby Day!