Chocolate Cream Pie

Silky smooth chocolate custard filling, inside a buttery homemade crust makes this chocolate cream pie the perfect, indulgent dessert. Pies are delicious any time of the year but this death-by-chocolate version is just the dessert to serve for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients needed

• Milk. Whole milk/full cream milk.
• Sugar. 
• Cream. Heavy cream/whipping cream.
• Instant coffee. The coffee is optional but it intensifies the flavor of the chocolate and adds richness.
• Vanilla. 
• Cocoa powder. Use good quality cocoa powder (like Dutch Processed cocoa powder) for the best chocolate flavor.
• Cornstarch/Cornflour.
• Flour. 
• Egg yolks. 
• Butter. I used salted butter but unsalted butter can be substituted.
• Chocolate shavings (for serving).
• Pie crust.

How to make chocolate cream pie

1. Make and bake the pie crust: I used this recipe from Inspired by taste. Make the dough according to instructions (or use your favorite pie dough recipe) and line a pie plate or pan. Blind bake the pie crust until golden and crisp. You can use any pie crust including a Graham cracker crust for this pie.
2. Make the filling: Make the chocolate pie filling according to recipe instructions (below). Pour the chocolate pudding / custard mixture through a sieve to make sure there are no lumps. The filling should be a thick and smooth pudding-like texture before going into the pie crust to set.
3. Assemble the pie and chill:  Pour the filling into the prepared pie case. Spray a piece of parchment paper with cooking spray then press onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. You can use plastic wrap too. Allow to set in the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
4. Serve: When you are ready to serve, make the whipped cream topping. Whip the cold cream with the icing sugar until soft peaks form. Dollop and swirl onto the pie. Top with chocolate shavings or chocolate chips and serve.

Tips for making the perfect chocolate cream pie

1. A filling that is intensely chocolatey and creamy yet set is the goal. To achieve that I like using good quality cocoa powder for flavor and egg yolks, cornstarch (cornflour) and regular flour to give the custard some stability.
2. Make sure to temper the egg yolks whisked with the flours by pouring a little bit of the hot milk mixture over while whisking. This will prevent the egg yolks from scrambling in the custard.
3. Cook the custard over medium heat, whisking continuously, until it is thick and glossy. Immediately pass through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
4. Pour the custard into the blind baked pie crust. Because the pie doesn’t get baked after the custard is added, it’s important to make sure the crust is completely dry and crisp before pouring the custard in. Spray a piece of parchment paper with cooking spray then press onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming.
5. Allow the pie to set in the fridge for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.
6. Top with softly whipped cream and chocolate shavings just before serving.

Freezing and making ahead

1. Freezing: The pastry can be made up to 3 months in advance and kept in the freezer. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the custard pies as the custard’s texture will change once thawed.
2. Making ahead:  Make the pastry 2-3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge. The blind baked crust can also be kept covered at room temperature for a day before filling. The filled pie can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 2 days before serving.

FAQ

Pie recipes

1. Banana cream pie
2. Pumpkin pie
3. Lemon Meringue Pie
4. Classic apple pie with cinnamon cream