• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Cagle Diaries logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us

×
Home » Recipes » Pie Recipes

Southern Chocolate Chess Pie


Prep Time :20 minutes mins
Cook Time :1 hour hr
Total Time :1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Servings :8 Slices
Jump to Recipe
A slice of southern chocolate chess pie being lifted out of the pie dish.
A long collage of two images, showing chocolate chess pie with text overlay for pinterest.

Published: Feb 17, 2025 · Modified: Feb 17, 2025 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

Southern Chocolate Chess Pie, it's like a chocolate dream in a pie crust. My grandma used to make this for me all the time, and now I want to share her super secret recipe with you! It's so easy, even YOU can make it!

A slice of southern chocolate chess pie lifted out of pie dish with a squirt of cream on top.
Southern Chocolate Chess Pie

Save Recipe

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below and we'll send you the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent periodically!)


This Chocolate Chess Pie is a Southern classic, and I'm so excited to show you how to make it

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Recipe troubleshooting
  • Necessary gear: equipment
  • More pie recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Southern Chocolate Chess Pie
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

It's so easy! You just mix everything together and pour it in a pie crust. No fancy stuff needed! The best part is that it tastes SO good! It's chocolate-y, sweet, and gooey all at the same time. Plus, it's a Southern recipe, so you know it's gonna be good!

My family always asks me to make this down-home chocolate pie!

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Following you'll find a list of the ingredients you'll need to whip up this recipe:

Ingredients needed to make a southern chocolate chess pie, with text overlay.
  • Flaky pie crust
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla
  • Heavy Cream
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Cornstarch
  • Espresso Powder
  • Salt
  • Granulated Sugar

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A collage of four images showing how to make a southern chocolate chess pie, recipe steps 1 through 4.
  • Step 1: Prepare this Amish Pie Crust recipe as described in the recipe (when clicked), and refrigerate.
  • Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. Add the butter and chocolate chips to a small mixing bowl and microwave just until melted and stir well.
  • Step 3: In another mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients and stir with a whisk.
  • Step 4: Add the melted chocolate to those dry ingredients, along with the vanilla, cream and eggs. Mix well until combined.
A collage of two images showing how to make a chocolate chess pie recipe, steps 5-6.
  • Step 5: Pour pie filling into the chilled pie crust and place into the hot oven.
  • Step 6: Bake for 10 minutes then turn down the oven to 325°F for another 50 minutes.
  • Step 7: Remove from the oven (it'll still be a little jiggly). Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Hint: After baking the chess pie will still be a little jiggly but don't worry about that. It will continue to set up as it cools.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

Following is a list of variations and alternate ideas for substitutes that you could play with in this recipe:

  • Chocolate - instead of chocolate chips a regular bar could be used, but broken up. Try using milk chocolate, or dark chocolate for some variations on chocolate flavors.
  • Evaporated milk - instead of heavy cream (in a pinch, but it won't be as rich).
  • Store-bought crusts - to speed things up or make it easier.
Overhead shot of a pie dish with southern chocolate chess pie and there's a slice missing.

Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page

The Cagle Diaries

Recipe troubleshooting

Obvious issues that we encountered when testing this recipe for you:

  • Soggy Crust - the oven was not on extra high to start and not enough fat was included in the pie crust.
  • Crust Shrinking - if the crust has shrunk during baking this is because it was not chilled before baking.
  • Filling Cracked - this will happen if you have cooked the pie at too high a temperature for too long. I like to bake it high at first (to set the crust) then turn it down to a much lower temperature for a longer time to cook nice and even.

Necessary gear: equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need some mixing bowls, a whisk and a 9-Inch pie dish.

I have some affiliate links in the recipe card below.

More pie recipes I think you'll love

  • a plate with a slice of pecan pie with a ball of ice cream sitting on top
    Old Fashioned Pecan Pie
  • Overhead shot of a sweet potato pie with swirls of cream.
    Grandma's Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
  • Close up shot of a cracker barrel buttermilk pie recipe with a slice taken out of it.
    Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Pie Recipe
  • A slice of old fashioned chess pie with a dusting of powdered sugar, cropped square.
    Old Fashioned Chess Pie

How to store leftovers

Store the chocolate chess pie at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

This pie does actually freeze very well. Store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Mel's kitchen notes

Don't skip the cornstarch. It rises to the top during baking and gives you that nice crackly top layer that an old fashioned chess pie is famous for.

A pile of dishes with a piece of southern chocolate chess pie on top.

If you’ve tried this Southern Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!

a loaf tin with banana bread with mayo on a cooling rack

Viral Recipe Alert!

Banana Bread

Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!

Get the recipe
A slice of southern chocolate chess pie being lifted out of the pie dish.
Print (Email Required)

Southern Chocolate Chess Pie

Easy Southern Chocolate Chess Pie. Simple ingredients, big flavor! A perfect dessert for any occasion. An old fashioned recipe.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Servings: 8 Slices
Cuisine: American, Pies, Southern Food
Author: Melanie Cagle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Video

Equipment

  • 1 9" Pie Dish
  • 1 Glass Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  • 1 Each Pie Crust Recipe
  • ¼ Cup Butter melted
  • 2 Ounces semi sweet chocolate
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder preferably Dutch
  • 1 teaspoon Espresso Powder
  • 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Each Large Eggs + 1 yolk

Instructions

  • Prepare pie crust per recipe then place into refrigerator to chill while you make the filling.
    1 Each Pie Crust Recipe
  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • In a small bowl, add the butter and chocolate chips and microwave just until melted and mix together well.
    ¼ Cup Butter, 2 Ounces semi sweet chocolate
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, cornstarch and salt. Mix with a whisk.
    1 Cup Granulated Sugar, 3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 1 teaspoon Espresso Powder, 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • Add the butter/chocolate mixture, heavy cream, vanilla extract and eggs and mix until totally combined.
    ¼ Cup Heavy Cream, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 2 Each Large Eggs + 1 yolk
  • Pour into the chilled pie crust then place into the preheated oven.
  • Cook for 10 minutes at 425°F then turn down the oven to 325°F. Cook for another 50 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven (there will be a little jiggle) and allow to cool completely before slicing. Serve with a little cream (optional).
Did You Make This?Please consider Leaving a Review!

Nutrition

Serving: 200g | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Sign Up for my emails and never miss another recipe!

I'll never share your email, or send you spam. Pinkie Promise!

More Pie Recipes

  • A slice of oatmeal creme pie cheesecake with caramel sauce drizzled on top.
    Oatmeal Creme Pie Cheesecake
  • Overhead shot of a pie dish with Raspberry Pie, waiting to be sliced.
    Homemade Raspberry Pie
  • Close up of the top of a country apple pie recipe.
    Country Apple Pie Recipe
  • Overhead shot of a southern tomato pie.
    Southern Tomato Pie
36 shares
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes, Pie Recipes, Southern Recipes, Thanksgiving

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

Momma Cagle!

Picture of Melanie Cagle standing in front of her stove, in the kitchen.

I'm Melanie, I am mom to two beautiful children and married to James - my American sweetheart (I'm British).  A transplant in Houma, South Louisiana I have found a love for all Cajun and Creole food.
Learn more about me...

Follow me on social:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X
  • https://www.youtube.com/@thecaglediaries1070

CAJUN FAVORITES

  • Bowl of crawfish etouffee with rice scoop in the middle.
    Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
  • Close up of boudin balls with a hint of the mustard cream sauce peeking in, sprinkled with green onions on top.
    Deep Fried Boudin Balls
  • A tray of boiled crabs with veggies and dipping sauce.
    Authentic Louisiana Crab Boil Recipe: Spicy Cajun Seafood Feast
  • Close up of a bowl of seafood gumbo with a pile of rice and a spoon digging into it.
    Authentic Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Recipe
  • A large platter of fried catfish nuggets with some lemon wedges and a tartar sauce.
    Fried Catfish Nuggets
  • Close up of some pinto beans and sausage on a spoon over a crock pot.
    Crock Pot Pinto Beans

Footer

↑ back to top

About

as seen on logo images

Terms & Conditions | Accessibility Policy | Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

©2025 Copyright The Cagle Diaries. All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required