A real favorite in my family, this gluten free chocolate chess pie will blow you away! It’s sugary, gooey, and has a crunchy top like a brownie, all in pie form.
I might have already mentioned that when I was growing up, we would spend almost all our Thanksgivings with our neighbors. Our extended family was always so far away that we rarely saw them on holidays, but we were pretty close with our neighbors so it was all good.
The Hons (our neighbors across the street) would always make a chocolate chess pie and it was my absolute favorite! If there was chocolate chess pie on the dessert table, I was skipping over all others for a piece of that pie.
WHAT IS CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE?
Chocolate chess pie is a Southern staple. I’ve tried finding a correct definition of a chess pie without much luck. But having had it all my years growing up, I have some experience on the issue. It has this crunchy top crust that’s like the top of a brownie. But it’s not a brownie pie.
Imagine maybe a brownie that isn’t fully baked. The top of the pie is a blanket of crunch hiding a half-baked brownie that is fudgy, sugary, and decadent. Most chess pie fillings aren’t super deep. That’s probably because they’re so rich, a shallow bite is all we need!
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE
This pie is just as easy to make as a pecan or pumpkin pie. Mix all the ingredients together in one bowl with a hand whisk, pour it into a pie shell, and stick it in the oven to bake. No par-baking the pie shell with weights and no lugging out the stand mixer or even the handheld mixer.
If you haven’t yet made my gluten free pie crust, you NEED to make it! It is SO easy to roll out, doesn’t crack, is buttery and flaky, and is just an all-around great pie crust. The recipe makes almost enough for 3 thin crusts, or at least 2 thicker crusts and a few decorations. A tip for rolling out pie crusts is always keep the crust moving. It’ll help it from sticking and tearing.
The filling of this pie consists of:
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Evaporated milk
- Cocoa powder
- Vanilla extract
WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH THIS PIE?
My favorite way to top this pie is with freshly whipped cream. But a big ole’ scoop of vanilla bean ice cream would also be fabulous. Or a simple sprinkle of powdered sugar if you’re a simple kind of person.
IS CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE SERVED WARM, COLD, OR AT ROOM TEMPERATURE?
When we ate chocolate chess pie in my younger years, it was always served room temperature. But it’s also just as tasty when it’s warm. Although I’ve never had it cold, you really can’t go wrong with this incredible pie.
Consider adding this wonderfully rich fudgy pie to your Thanksgiving dessert table. It’s sure to please all the chocolate lovers in your family!!
Gluten Free Chocolate Chess Pie
Ingredients
- ½ recipe (single crust) unbaked Best Gluten Free Pie Crust (or any gluten free pie crust)
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1½ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare pie crust for unbaked single crust. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk sugar and melted butter. Add eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each. Mix in evaporated milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake for about 45 minutes, or until top crust is set and pie no longer jiggles when shaken.
- Allow to cool to warm or room temperature before serving with freshly whipped cream, ice cream, or powdered sugar.
- Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for three days.
I can’t tell you how much I’d love a bite of that right now!
I just did, Barb, and it was WONDERFUL!!!
The best pie in the whole world!! So rich and delicious! I could eat the whole pie
I know, me too!! I had one piece and told Scott he better eat the rest, and soon before I give in. Lol!!