Directions
- Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you’re using a pre-made pie crust, follow the package instructions for pre-baking. For homemade crust, roll out the dough, fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, and crimp the edges. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, remove the weights and parchment, and bake for another 5 minutes or until golden. Let it cool.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, and salt until well combined.
- Add Milk and Cook: Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and comes to a gentle boil.
- Temper the Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Slowly add a small amount of the hot chocolate mixture to the yolks, whisking constantly to temper them. Gradually add the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan, stirring constantly.
- Thicken the Filling: Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fill the Crust: Pour the chocolate filling into the baked pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Chill and Serve: Let the pie cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 9-inch pie dish
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Parchment paper
- Pie weights or dried beans
Tips and Variations
- Crust Options: Feel free to use a graham cracker crust or an Oreo crust for a different twist on this classic pie.
- Chocolate Intensity: For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder or add a handful of chocolate chips to the filling.
- Toppings: Besides whipped cream, consider topping your pie with shaved chocolate, chocolate curls, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an elegant finish.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this pie gluten-free.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover pie in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the pie. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Food and Drink Pairings
Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For a more indulgent experience, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.