A classic Southern dessert.

My sister and I favor chocolate chess pie.

If youre already familiar, then I hope this dependable recipe will go into your regular rotation.

Slice of Chocolate Chess Pie Served With a Dollop of Cream on the Side (on a Plate), and in the Background, More Plates With Slices of Pie and Whipped Cream, a Bowl With More Whipped Cream, and a Pie Dish With More Chocolate Chess Pie

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

What Is Chess Pie?

Its a cooked custard pie that gently cooks right in the pie crust in the oven.

Or, my favorite, is it from the Southern pronunciation of just pie?

Chocolate Chess Pie With Some Cut Into Slices in a Pie Dish, and in the Surroundings, a Pie Server and a Bowl With Whipped Cream

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

No ones quite sure.

What is certain is that its a Southern favorite.

I started at the best possible place: the family cookbook.

Slice of Chocolate Cheese Pie Lifted From Pie Pan With More Pie

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

I think my relatives would approve.

The Case for Blind Baking the Crust

I know, I know.

Par-baking pie crust is an extra step and therefore annoying!

Pie Crust Added to Pie Dish for Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

But hear me out.

Most chess pie and chocolate chess pie recipes call for baking the filling in an unbaked pie crust.

Thats just the facts!

Pie Crust Crimped and Excess Removed From Pie Shell for Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

This applies to homemade and store-bought crusts.

Its such a big difference that Ill never skip blind baking the crust for my chess pies again.

If you plan to blind bake your crust, preheat the oven to 400F.

Pie Shell in Pie Dish (Pre-Blind Bake)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

If you aren’t blind baking the crust, preheat the oven to 350F.

Ensure there are no holes or cracks in the dough so the filling doesnt seep through.

For a crisp crust that is guaranteed to not be soggy on the bottom, blind bake it first.

Pie Shell Covered in Aluminum and Dry Beans to Blind Bake the Pie Shell for Southern Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Fill with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake at 400F until the edges look dry, about 10 minutes.

Remove the pie from the oven and carefully remove the pie weights and aluminum foil.

Pie Shell in Pie Dish (Post-Blind Bake)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Return to the oven and bake just until the center of the crust looks dry, about 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool until just warm, 15 to 30 minutes.

Turn the oven temperature down to 350F.

Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Espresso Powder, and Salt Whisked Together in a Bowl to Create Chocolate Chess Pie Filling

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Add the melted butter, evaporated milk, eggs, and vanilla.

The bake time is the same whether or not you blind baked the crust first.

Let the pie cool completely on a cooling rack until room temperature before serving.

Bowl of Chocolate Chess Pie Filling After Liquid Ingredients Were Whisked With the Dry Ingredients

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

If not serving right away, loosely cover and store the pie in the fridge.

Leftovers will keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days.

It tastes great cold or at room temperature.

Chocolate Chess Pie Filling Added to Blind Baked Pie Shell

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Cooled pie can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to a month.

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Baked Chocolate Chess Pie in Pie Dish on a Cooling Rack

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Baked Chocolate Chess Pie in a Pie Dish

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm