Chocolate Chess Pie is a beloved Southern favorite with its rich, fudgy filling. It’s the perfect addition to a holiday meal, Sunday dinner, or a potluck!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Challenge Butter. The opinions and text are all mine.
Chess Pie
There are a few theories on where this infamous Southern treat and it’s name comes from.
It is said that this kind of pie could derivate “cheese pie,” a combination of eggs, butter, and sugar, making a custard-like filling similar in texture to British cheesecakes and lemon curd. Others say it could be named after Chester, England, or named from a piece of furniture used before home refrigeration called a “pie chest,” in which pies were stored. Still, others say it is a misinterpretation of the pronunciation “It’s jes’ pie” (It’s just pie) in Southern American English.
No matter where the term comes from, it sure makes a delicious pie!
What is Chess Pie
Generally speaking, it’s a type of pie filled with a mixture of eggs, butter, and sugar. Sometimes, fruits and nuts or other flavorings can be added to the pie. Some recipes call for flour or cornmeal as a thickener.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a slice of ooey-gooey pecan pie, then you are somewhat familiar with chess pie because it falls into the same category of being a Chess Pie!
Why I use Challenge Butter
When it comes to simple and old-fashioned recipes like this – where ingredients can make or break a recipe – I choose products that I know can deliver on quality and taste! Challenge Butter and Challenge Cream Cheese are my choices for recipes where ingredient quality and taste make all of the difference!
Challenge Butter began one hundred years ago. Today, it is the largest butter brand in the West and is available nationwide. Its product portfolio includes salted and unsalted versions of regular Challenge Butter, whipped, spreadable, and European style. It also offers a line of spreadable butter, including Italian Herb & Garlic, a Spreadable butter with Olive Oil, and a first-of-its-kind lactose-free butter in addition to six cream cheese items. Challenge has not only been a pioneer in the quality of butter products but is also responsible for many industry firsts, including the invention of the first aluminum butter churn, lab sampling of butter, and shipping butter in paper rather than wooden crates.
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Chocolate Chess Pie recipe
Ingredients for the pie
- salted Challenge Butter, melted
- granulated sugar
- cocoa powder
- large eggs
- evaporated milk
- vanilla extract
- deep-dish pie shell
- Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
How to make Chocolate Chess Pie
Time needed: 4 hours and 55 minutes
How to make Chocolate Chess Pie
- Preheat oven.
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Prepare pie filling and pour it into the pie crust.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla with a large wooden spoon or a hand-held mixer until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and spread it evenly, all the way to the edges.
- Bake.
Bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove pie from oven and allow it to cool.
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack until completely cool.
- Serve.
Serve at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Recipe Notes
- This pie can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours after baking. If it won’t be eaten within that time frame, it needs to be refrigerated.
- Store any leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- This pie also freezes very well – for up to 6 months!
Chocolate Chess Pie: FAQs
The best way I can describe it is a cross between a fudgy brownie and a firm chocolate pudding.
Usually, it’s because one of two reasons:
1. Make sure you whisk your eggs really well, so the batter doesn’t separate as it bakes.
2. Melt your butter gently. In our rush to do things quickly, we often use our microwave or other quick methods. While that usually doesn’t matter, in this case, it might be the reason your pie separated. We sometimes cause the butter to separate and break the emulsion – When butter is heated and begins to melt, this emulsion breaks — the butterfat naturally separates from the milk solids and water.
This pie can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours after baking. If it won’t be eaten within that time frame, it needs to be refrigerated. Store any leftovers, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
This pie also freezes very well – for up to 6 months! Be sure to allow the pie to cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap with a layer of aluminum foil on the outside. Don’t forget to label and date it.
How did you like this recipe
In my opinion, this recipe is perfect anytime you want a sweet treat! If you gave this recipe a try, I would love to hear from you and your crew. Leave me a comment down below, letting me know how this recipe turned out for you. As always, leave any questions too – I’ll try my best to answer them.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Chocolate Chess Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted Challenge Butter, melted 1 stick
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 can evaporated milk 5 oz.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 9-inch deep-dish pie shell (unbaked)
- Whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla with a large wooden spoon or a hand-held mixer until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and spread it evenly, all the way to the edges.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack until completely cool.
- Serve at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
- This pie can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours after baking. If it won’t be eaten within that time frame, it needs to be refrigerated.
- Store any leftovers, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- This pie also freezes very well – for up to 6 months!
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Can you make with a home made pie crust
My first attempt at a chocolate chess pie for Thanksgiving and it came out perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing.