Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Ingredients for the Perfect Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

For the Pie:

• Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Milk (2% or whole milk)
• Egg yolks
• Vanilla extract

For the Meringue Topping:

• Egg whites
• Cream of tartar
• Granulated sugar

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie Recipe Variations

While the classic version is hard to beat, you can definitely put your own spin on this beloved dessert:

• For a cookie crust variation, try an Oreo or graham cracker crumb base instead of pastry.
• Add texture with toppings like toasted nuts, shredded coconut or chocolate shavings.
• Punch up the chocolate flavor with mix-ins like espresso powder, cinnamon or orange zest.
• For a decadent drizzle, top the pie with caramel, hot fudge or melted peanut butter before serving.

How to Make Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie from Scratch

Prepare yourself for the wonderful aromas that will fill your kitchen as you follow these easy steps:

1. Bake the pie crust according to package directions and allow it to cool completely.
2. Make the luscious chocolate filling: In a saucepan, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add in the milk, egg yolks, vanilla and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened to a pudding-like consistency.
3. Remove the filling from heat and pour it into the pre-baked pie shell, smoothing the top with a spatula.
4. For the meringue: In a clean bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Gradually add in the sugar while beating until the mixture is thick and glossy.
5. Spread or pipe the meringue over the chocolate filling, creating swirly peaks and valleys.
6. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until the meringue is lightly golden brown.
7. Let the pie cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving this heavenly dessert.

Baking Tips for Meringue Mastery

For that perfect cloud-like meringue, keep these pointers in mind:

• Use a glass or metal bowl – plastic can hold onto grease particles that prevent meringues from fluffing up properly.
• Make sure no egg yolks get into the whites, as the fat will cause the meringue to deflate.
• Beat whites at room temperature for maximum volume.
• Add cream of tartar to help stabilize and strengthen the peaks.
• Don’t overbake – meringue should be light golden, not browned all over.

Make-Ahead and Storing Chocolate Pie

This luscious pie can be made up to 2 days in advance! Once cooled, store it covered in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to blend and the filling to set up nicely.

It’s best to allow the pie to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for optimal texture and flavor. Leftover slices will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Serving Suggestions to Make It a Showstopper

While delicious on its own, you can absolutely gild the lily with some tasty garnishes:

• Dollop with lightly sweetened whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping.
• Dust with a shaving of chocolate, cocoa powder or cinnamon.
• Serve it up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
• Offer it a la mode with hot fudge or caramel sauce for drizzling.