Delicious Chocolate Pudding Pie

This scratch made Chocolate Pudding Pie is silky and creamy with rich flavors and a flaky crust. The entire recipe is homemade, even the chocolate pudding! It takes your chocolate cream pie into a whole new realm of scrumptious.

A no bake chocolate pudding pie is a classic and well loved dessert that is sumptuous and decadent. We enjoy it as an alternative to chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, and even ice cream desserts; because it is a chilled dessert that is refreshing but also so satisfying.

This recipe is completely homemade; the crust, the chocolate pudding, and the whipped topping. Of course, you can definitely make it an easier treat to make by using pre-made ingredients. This will save you time and effort which we all need sometimes. But, if you can invest the time we definitely recommend making your pudding, whipped topping, and crust from scratch.

The textures and flavors are unbeatable and it’s a labor of love that everyone will appreciate. It also gives you control over the quality of the ingredients you use, and helps to cut down on preservatives and additives that are found throughout our packaged and prepared foods.

Chocolate pudding pie filling

We found a recipe for homemade ‘from scratch’ chocolate pudding at Bunny’s Warm Oven. This blog is fabulous for teaching many baking tips and techniques. We strongly suggest you hop on over to her site for a great tutorial on this chocolate pudding process. If you’ve never made it before…she can help!

It’s easy to follow and the result is a creamy, luscious chocolate pudding that creates the perfect base for this chilled cream pie. If you are pressed for time you can for sure purchase a pre-made pudding to make a more standard jell-o chocolate pudding pie. It will still taste great and it takes this dessert into a very quick and easy treat.

Another reason to simplify this recipe would be if you have junior bakers that are wanting to make something special. Purchasing some pre-made pudding and a pre-made pie crust would give them a simpler dessert to tackle until they are ready to branch out and make those elements from scratch.

Jell o chocolate pudding pie is one of our favorite pies to prepare with kids. It’s a fun dessert that kids love and it gives them the opportunity to prepare a dessert without the use of an oven.

Making the crust

We originally made with pie with a buttery graham cracker crust which we love. It’s an easy no bake crust that tastes phenomenal with this chocolate pudding jello pie. You could also change up the filling if you use this crust and make a chocolate peanut butter pudding pie. The crust is versatile and delicious.

Another crust that you could use if you prefer a more traditional crust would be our simple coconut oil pie crust. This one would require pre-baking or ‘blind baking’ but that only takes a few minutes and it elevates the flavors so much.

Of course, you can use your favorite pie crust recipe, or purchase a pre-made crust if you prefer! The beauty of an easy chocolate pudding pie like this is the versatility that you have in how your prepare it, and even the ingredients that you use.

How to make chocolate pudding pie

Chocolate pudding and pie filling come together easily, they just require some effort and time spent in the kitchen. The biggest element is getting the consistency right so that the chocolate pudding pie will set up properly and stand strong when cut into.

The filling will take at least 2 hours to chill in the fridge and it’s important not to rush this one. If the pudding isn’t set up, or if the chocolate pudding is still warm, the whipped topping will sink into the pudding and the slices will melt apart when served to your guests.

Chocolate pudding pie with jello pudding can be made ahead of time in stages if that is easiest for you, which is another big win for this dessert. The crust can be made a day or two early as can the chocolate pudding. Once the pie is assembled it can be stored in the fridge for an additional day before serving as well.

Your chocolate pudding pie can be made in so many ways

This recipe will make a small 8 inch pie crust, so be sure to double the recipe if you are making a deep dish 9 inch pie to serve a larger crowd. Additionally, you could make this recipe into an assortment of adorable mini chocolate pudding pie tarts to serve your guests.

This would work so well if you are entertaining a small group who would benefit from enjoying their own personal pie, or if you want to step up the presentation and decorate the little pies in a variety of styles with different toppings.

How can I top this dessert?

We love to finish this no bake pie with rich chocolate shavings, but that isn’t all you can do. Here are some other absolutely decadent ideas to try.

• The chocolate shavings could be dark chocolate, milk chocolate, even white chocolate
• Dust the surface with cocoa powder
• Play around with the whipped topping and use cake decorator tips for a different flair
• Crush up chocolate cookies or even graham crackers to garnish
• Drizzle chocolate syrup or a rich chocolate ganache over top
• If you make a peanut butter infused chocolate pie drizzle the top with a thin peanut butter sauce
• You could top it with some fresh fruit like raspberries or sliced strawberries
• Add some citrus curls or mint leaves for a sophisticated finish
• Place maraschino cherries on top of the whipped edges for a luscious ‘ice cream sundae’ look

Can I substitute the ingredients?

Yes, you can change out the ingredients to suite your preferences if you would like. Just keep in mind it could alter the finished pie flavor and consistency. The coconut oil could be substituted for your favorite cooking oil, or more butter.

We use coconut oil in my crust and it sets up really well in the fridge. We have made this crust several times and when the dessert is properly cooled to fridge temperature the crust will firm up and stay firm, even at room temperature.

The walnuts are of course optional, but we do find the nuttiness a delicious note of flavor. Make sure your cocoa powder is good quality for the best flavor. if you do decide to make this pie using pre-made ingredients it will still taste fantastic, just follow the recipe as an assembly guide and have fun with it.

Making the whipped topping

Whip up the cream until it gets firm and lather it on the top of the pie, pretty it up with a decorator tip, or set the whipped cream in a bowl with a spoon and let people dollop it on their pie as they like. However you decide to finish this pie, a whipped topping is one of the must have elements that make it a cream pie.

Cool whip is a popular choice for cream pies because it is a light option compared to a full cream topping. This comes down to personal choice and presentation. Keep in mind a cool whip topping will stay soft and delicate; where a whipped cream topping will be a strong base for a variety of garnishes.

Best Chocolate Pudding Pie recipe

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