YaYa’s Chocolate Pie
This rich, silky Chocolate Pie is the kind of dessert that takes you straight back to Mama Shirley’s kitchen. The smooth chocolate filling, made from scratch with real baking chocolate, is poured into a flaky, baked crust and topped with a fluffy homemade meringue. Lightly browned to perfection, this old-fashioned pie is pure Southern comfort and a family favorite for generations.
Ingredients
Pie Filling
- 2 oz. Baker’s unsweetened chocolate about 4 tablespoons
- 2½ cups milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 egg yolks slightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 baked 9-inch pie shell
Meringue
- 3 egg whites
- 6 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- In a double boiler, heat chocolate and milk together until the chocolate melts. Beat lightly with a rotary beater to blend.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir this into the chocolate mixture.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Continue cooking 10 minutes over low heat, stirring often.
- Add a small amount of hot chocolate mixture into the beaten egg yolks, stirring quickly to temper. Return yolk mixture to the saucepan and cook 2 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Let cool slightly, then pour into the baked pie shell.
- Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, adding sugar gradually. Spread over warm filling, sealing edges.
- Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until the meringue is lightly golden brown. Cool completely before slicing.
Yaya’s Tips for Success
Chocolate pies can sometimes be temperamental, but these little tricks make all the difference.
- Always temper your eggs by adding a small amount of hot mixture slowly before returning them to the pan.
- Make sure your meringue touches the crust all around the edge to prevent shrinking.
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing to help the filling set beautifully.
Yaya’s Customization Ideas
If you love a twist on tradition, this pie can be dressed up in a few fun ways.
- Try folding a spoonful of espresso powder into the filling for a mocha flavor
- Or sprinkle shaved chocolate on top of the meringue once it cools
For something extra special, you might also enjoy my Homemade Cocoa recipe; it uses the same kind of comforting chocolate flavor that warms you right up.
Yaya’s Original Recipe Card
