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There’s nothing quite like the sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen, is there? The comforting aromas, the unconditional love baked into every dish, the sticky fingerprints smudged across her well-loved recipe cards. For me, one treat reigns supreme in evoking those nostalgic feelings – old fashioned chocolate pie.
With its velvety chocolate filling and cloud-like meringue topping, this pie was the undisputed star of every family gathering when I was a kid. I can vividly recall sneaking down to grandma’s kitchen, batting my lashes in hopes of scoring an extra slice before dinner. And you can bet I wasn’t alone – there was an unspoken race amongst us grandkids to get our sugary fix before the pie disappeared!
Nowadays, I make this vintage chocolate dream myself, savoring every bite that takes me back to those cherished moments in grandma’s cozy kitchen. Let me show you how to whip up this family favorite – I guarantee it’ll become an instant classic in your household too.
Why This Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie Recipe Belongs in Your Repertoire
It’s a retro dessert with serious nostalgia factor – just like grandma used to make!
The luscious chocolate filling is rich, creamy and downright addictive.
That pillowy meringue topping is the epitome of light-as-air indulgence.
It’s a show-stopping make-ahead dessert for any occasion.
You only need basic baking ingredients to create this iconic pie.
Ingredients for the Perfect Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie
For the Pie:
Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Butter
Granulated sugar
All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Milk (2% or whole milk)
Egg yolks
Vanilla extract
For the Meringue Topping:
Egg whites
Cream of tartar
Granulated sugar
Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie Recipe Variations
While the classic version is hard to beat, you can definitely put your own spin on this beloved dessert:
For a cookie crust variation, try an Oreo or graham cracker crumb base instead of pastry.
Add texture with toppings like toasted nuts, shredded coconut or chocolate shavings.
Punch up the chocolate flavor with mix-ins like espresso powder, cinnamon or orange zest.
For a decadent drizzle, top the pie with caramel, hot fudge or melted peanut butter before serving.
How to Make Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie from Scratch
Prepare yourself for the wonderful aromas that will fill your kitchen as you follow these easy steps:
Bake the pie crust according to package directions and allow it to cool completely.
Make the luscious chocolate filling: In a saucepan, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add in the milk, egg yolks, vanilla and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened to a pudding-like consistency.
Remove the filling from heat and pour it into the pre-baked pie shell, smoothing the top with a spatula.
For the meringue: In a clean bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Gradually add in the sugar while beating until the mixture is thick and glossy.
Spread or pipe the meringue over the chocolate filling, creating swirly peaks and valleys.
Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until the meringue is lightly golden brown.
Let the pie cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving this heavenly dessert.
Baking Tips for Meringue Mastery
For that perfect cloud-like meringue, keep these pointers in mind:
