Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie with Golden Meringue

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Absolutely! Here’s a long, rich, and nostalgic recipe for Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie with Golden Meringue—filled with history, love, and soul. This isn’t just a dessert. It’s a warm hug from the past.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie with Golden Meringue

Introduction

There’s something profoundly comforting about a chocolate pie—especially one that harks back to generations of Southern kitchens, where grandmothers stirred thick custards over stovetops with wooden spoons, windows open to the breeze. This Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie with Golden Meringue is just that kind of dish: warm, decadent, and rooted in love.

Whether served at Sunday suppers, holidays, or those quiet moments when comfort is needed, this pie stands the test of time. With a flaky crust, rich cocoa filling, and pillowy meringue browned to perfection, it’s a dessert made not just with ingredients—but with memory, heritage, and affection.

History

Chocolate pie made its way into American cookbooks in the early 1900s, particularly rising in the South. As cocoa powder became more accessible and affordable, home bakers started to experiment. While European tarts leaned toward ganache and truffles, the American South embraced the pudding-like chocolate pie—sometimes topped with whipped cream, but more traditionally crowned with a golden meringue.

This pie became a staple at church potlucks, family reunions, and “bring-a-dish” gatherings. Every grandmother had her variation—some thicker, some sweeter, some spiked with coffee or a splash of bourbon. But the one thing they all shared? Love and tradition.

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

  • 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

For the Chocolate Filling:

  • 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 (save the whites for meringue)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Meringue:

  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions & Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

  • If you’re using a store-bought crust, bake it according to the package instructions and set aside.
  • For a homemade crust, blind bake it at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes with pie weights, then remove weights and bake another 5–10 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Filling

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Gradually add the dry mixture to the melted butter, stirring continuously.
  4. Slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks. Temper them by adding a few spoonfuls of the hot cocoa mixture, whisking quickly.
  6. Pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan, stirring constantly.
  7. Cook over medium heat until thickened, about 8–10 minutes. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  9. Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust.

Step 3: Make the Meringue

  1. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
  2. Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while beating.
  3. Add vanilla extract and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  4. Spoon the meringue over the hot filling, making sure it touches the crust to seal the edges.
  5. Use the back of a spoon to create swirls and peaks.

Step 4: Bake and Brown the Meringue

  • Bake the pie at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown.
  • Let the pie cool at room temperature, then chill for 2–4 hours before slicing.

Formation of Love (Optional but Real)

Make this pie with someone you love, or for someone you miss. Let the scent of chocolate and vanilla remind you of late-night talks at the kitchen table, flour-dusted aprons, and the warm hush of a family kitchen. Let every spoonful be a celebration of memory.

Conclusion

This is more than just a pie—it’s a story. A delicious chapter in the book of Southern desserts. Creamy, nostalgic, and kissed with the warmth of history, this Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie is perfect for sharing—with family, with friends, or simply with yourself on a quiet night.

Serve with a side of good conversation and a dollop of gratitude.

Would you like a printable version or to turn this into a recipe card for your kitchen?

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