Chocolate chess pie is a traditionally Southern dessert with a slightly crisp and crackly top layer that leads to a rich and luscious brownie-like center. Serve this perfectly chocolatey pie just a touch warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or as is.
Prepare my homemade pie crust recipe through step 6, or begin with a store-bought pie crust.
When your pie crust is thoroughly chilled and ready to use, prepare a pie plate with the pie crust. Adjust the oven rack to the center position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the cocoa powder, cornstarch or flour, and salt, and whisk again until everything is combined.
Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Attach a pie shield or wrap the edges of the crust in foil.
Bake pie for 50-55 minutes, removing the pie shield/foil about 15 minutes before pie is done baking. You will know the pie is done when a crust has formed on top of the pie and the surface is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before serving3. Top with homemade whipped cream or ice cream. Store leftovers covered tightly at room temperature up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Chocolate chess pie freezes well, up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Notes
Homemade pie crust: my recipe makes a double pie crust. You can freeze the second pie crust, or just halve the recipe. Pie dough can also be made up to 5 days in advance and sit wrapped tightly in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
Cornstarch/flour: this is solely for giving structure to the pie. Cornstarch is gluten free, if you're using a gluten free pie crust and want to keep the whole pie free of gluten. Weight measurements are 24g of cornstarch or 23g of all-purpose flour.
Cooled pie: if you find the pie to be too liquidy after cooling, chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours to solidify to your liking.
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.