Rich American Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe

If you're craving a dessert that delivers a decadent chocolate experience, look no further than this rich American chocolate cream pie recipe. This classic dessert is beloved for its silky smooth filling, crumbly crust, and divine flavor. Perfect for any special occasion or just a treat-yourself day, this pie is guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning chocolate lovers.

The Perfect Ingredients

To create this luxurious chocolate delight, you'll need to gather some high-quality ingredients:

For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs or chocolate wafers
- ¼ cup of granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 2 cups of heavy cream, divided
- ¾ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup of cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
For the Topping:
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional, for garnish)

Creating the Crust

The crust is the foundation of your pie and provides a crunchy counterpoint to the creamy filling. Here’s how to make it:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs or chocolate wafers with sugar. Slowly stir in the melted butter, blending until the mixture resembles wet sand. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake the crust for approximately 10 minutes or until it is golden brown and set. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely.

Whipping Up the Filling

The filling is the heart of this rich American chocolate cream pie recipe. Follow these steps to achieve a luscious, smooth filling:

In a heatproof bowl over simmering water (or a double boiler), melt the chopped chocolate and butter together, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, 1 cup of the heavy cream, and sugar. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture is hot but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then pour it back into the saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and strain through a fine sieve into the melted chocolate mixture. Stir until smooth. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap, pressing it against the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.

Assembling and Decorating

Now that you have a delicious crust and an irresistibly silky filling, it’s time to put everything together:

Once the filling is well set, carefully pour it into the prepared crust and smooth the top with a spatula. To make the whipped topping, beat 1 cup of heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the pie as desired. Optionally, decorate with chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an elegant touch.

Guide: Steps to the Perfect Rich Chocolate Cream Pie

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare the crust with graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Bake and cool.
Melt chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl. Stir in vanilla extract and set aside.
Heat milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan until hot. Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl.
Combine the mixtures, thicken on heat, then strain and mix into the melted chocolate. Cool and refrigerate.
Assemble by pouring filling into crust, and top with whipped cream. Add garnish as desired before serving.