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🍫 Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie
A nostalgic Southern dessert that brings back the warmth of grandma’s kitchen.
📝 Introduction
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie is the kind of dessert that stirs sweet memories of family dinners, holiday gatherings, and handwritten recipe cards passed down through generations. This luscious custard pie, crowned with a fluffy meringue, is a classic comfort food of the American South. Made from simple pantry staples like cocoa, sugar, and eggs, it was especially popular during times when baking had to be both affordable and satisfying.
Whether enjoyed warm with a spoon or chilled for a silky finish, this chocolate pie is a dessert made with tradition, heart, and a generous dash of love.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Chocolate Filling:
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks (reserve whites for meringue)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Meringue:
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
👩🍳 Instructions & Methods
1. Prepare the Pie Crust
- Blind bake your pie crust: line it with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes or until golden. Remove weights and bake 5 more minutes.
- Set aside to cool completely.
2. Make the Chocolate Custard Filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine flour, sugar, and cocoa powder.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
- Add butter and place over medium heat.
- Stir continuously until mixture begins to bubble and thicken (about 8–10 minutes).
- Temper egg yolks by stirring a little hot mixture into them, then return all to the pan.
- Cook 2–3 more minutes, stirring constantly, until thick like pudding.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour hot chocolate filling into the baked pie crust.
3. Prepare the Meringue
- In a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar while beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Spread meringue over the hot chocolate filling, making sure it touches the crust edges (to prevent shrinking).
- Use the back of a spoon to create decorative peaks.
4. Bake the Meringue
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.
5. Cool and Chill
- Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
🕰️ History & Formation
Chocolate pies gained popularity during the early 20th century in the American South, where cocoa was accessible and dairy was abundant. This pie’s formation reflects the ingenuity of home bakers—using simple techniques to create velvety fillings and airy toppings without needing fancy tools. The meringue topping became a visual and textural highlight, especially during celebrations and Sunday suppers.
❤️ For the Lovers of Tradition
If you grew up watching your grandmother whip up pies with nothing but a whisk and a warm stove, this dessert will feel like a culinary love letter. For lovers of chocolate and timeless recipes, this pie is:
- Silky and rich with old-school flavor
- Comforting like a Southern hug
- Perfect for romantic dinners, family reunions, or just a quiet night with coffee
🍽️ Conclusion
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie is more than just dessert—it’s a bite of nostalgia. Every spoonful is creamy, chocolaty, and lightened by the clouds of meringue on top. This is a dessert that connects generations, made with humble ingredients and elevated by love and memory. Serve it with gratitude, share it with joy, and you’ll understand why it remains a Southern classic.
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