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Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie

A close-up of a single slice of rich, dark chocolate chess pie showing its cracked top texture on a white plate.
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Make a rich, fudgy chocolate chess pie with a signature crackly top using simple pantry ingredients. This Southern classic is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the unbaked pie crust on a baking sheet.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt.
  3. Add the melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and vinegar together.
  5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and whisk until the batter is smooth. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour the chocolate filling into the unbaked pie crust.
  7. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is mostly set but still slightly jiggly. The top should develop a crackly crust.
  8. Cool the pie completely on a wire rack before slicing. This allows the fudgy center to set properly.
  9. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • For a darker chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder or add 1 ounce of melted unsweetened chocolate to the butter mixture.
  • Do not open the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking to help the top form its crust.
  • The vinegar is essential; it helps activate the leavening agents and contributes to the classic chess pie texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/chocolate-chess-pie-recipe/