Homemade chocolate pudding in a graham cracker crust – chocolate pudding pie just like mom always used to make it (but homemade)!
chocolate pudding pie from Eats Well With Others

Hi. Sorry.

Sorry for (in my mind, heart, and soul) promising you a salted caramel pie today.

Sorry for trusting a certain foodie magazine and not my gut instinct when it told me to pour liquid gold (aka sweetened condensed milk) into a glass pan, cover it tightly and then bake it for two hours so that it could turn into smooth silky almost burnt sugar gold.

Sorry when it all turned to chunky beige mush instead.

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I would show you a picture, but the.boy actually LAUGHED AT ME when he saw it. Then he looked at what it was suppose to look like in the magazine and he laughed more.

Then he looked at the pan again and gagged.

I just can’t put you through that kind of emotional rollercoaster.

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Would I do it all again just to end up with this chocolate pudding pie in my life?

Hands down. Absolutely. Without a doubt. Yes.

I actually grew up eating chocolate pudding pie at Thanksgiving every year, but when my mom made it she would use a premade crust and pudding from a box. Don’t get me wrong, it was AMAZING, but that kind of semi homemade thing just doesn’t jive well with this everything-from-scratch vibe I’ve got going on.

So when I found myself with an empty pie crust and nothing to fill it with…I knew what I had to do. Chocolate pudding pie. Or bust.

And in about 10 minutes, I had a chocolate pudding filling on my hands. That’s seriously quick it was. I’m pretty sure the boxed stuff actually takes LONGER than that.

I am never going back to my semi-homemade ways. At least, not when there’s rich decadent just-like-your-momma-made-it-but-better pie to be had.

pie week

So….it is the LAST.DAY.OF.PIE.WEEK. And I am kind of beside myself.

Can I just bake pies all of next week too and we’ll just call it pie week squared? Or are you guys sick of all the butter and sugar? I hope not because there is a lot more where this came from in the next few weeks. So get your stretchy pants ready.

To see our beloved confections out, we hosting one last CRAZY giveaway! This time one lucky person will be winning a 13 Cup KitchenAid food processor!! I have one of these and could not make pie crust without it. It’s non-negotiable. And crazy fabulous. See details for how to enter below! And make sure you check out these awesome posts from my fellow #PieLadies!
Toasted Coconut Caramel Cream Pie – The Baker Chick
Chocolate Drizzled Pecan Pie Bites– Nutmeg Nanny
S’mores Hand Pies– Chocolate and Carrots
Pumpkin Coconut Pie– Dessert for Two
Chocolate Pudding Pie– Eats Well with Others
Cranberry Apple Pie– Keep it Sweet Desserts
Caramel Chess Tart- Bake or Break
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie with Chocolate Almond Bark- Tracey’s Culinary Adventures
White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie– Dinners Dishes and Desserts
Smoked Salmon and Spinach Quiche– Country Cleaver
Apple Pie Ice Cream– Carla’s Confections
Triple Fruit Slab Pie– Foodie with Family

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One year ago…Quinoa and Sweet Potato Croquettes

Two years ago…Rosemary White Bean Soup with Fig and Walnut Tapenade

Three years ago…Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts, Pancetta and Parsley

Four years ago…Cranberry Chutney

Chocolate Pudding Pie
 
Homemade chocolate pudding in a graham cracker crust - chocolate pudding pie just like mom always used to make it (but homemade)!
Yield: 1 9-inch pie
Ingredients
For the crust
  • 5 oz graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 4 oz butter, melted
For the filling
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ⅓ cup plus 2 tbsp sugar, divided
  • 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 cups lowfat milk
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chilled heavy cream
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, salt, and melted butter until they are well mixed. Pat into a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until set. Set aside to cool.
  3. For the filling, whisk together the cornstarch, ⅓ cup sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure to mix in the dry ingredients in the corners of the pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and then boil for 2 minutes, still whisking, allowing the mixture to thicken. Remove from the heat and whisk in the chocolate and vanilla.
  4. Pour the filling into the shell and cover with wax paper or plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Let chill for at least 2 hours.
  5. Just before serving, beat the cream with the remaining 2 tbsp of sugar until it holds firm peaks. Spoon onto the pie and garnish with chocolate shavings.
Notes
Filling adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 slice

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100 Responses to Chocolate Pudding Pie #PieWeek

  1. […] Nutmeg Nanny S’mores Hand Pies- Chocolate and Carrots Pumpkin Coconut Pie- Dessert for Two Chocolate Pudding Pie- Eats Well with Others Cranberry Apple Pie- Keep it Sweet Desserts Caramel Chess Tart- Bake or […]

  2. Beth says:

    I am so glad your other pie didn’t turn out, because this one looks heavenly. Seriously, I have to got to make this pie.
    And I can’t think of anything better than pie week squared.

  3. Monica says:

    This reminds me I haven’t made choc pudding pie in ages. It’s a sure winner!

  4. I hope you were able to save the pan! I hate it when recipes haven’t been tested properly.

  5. debbie says:

    I hate trying a new recipe only for it to be a bomb…such a waste BUT this pie looks worth it. I’m saving this one and making it for my non vegan family!!!! They all love chocolate pie!

  6. Salted caramel pie sound delicious….i’m sure there is a good recipe out there somewhere! This pie looks so good!!! Chocolate pudding pie used to be one of my favorites, but I haven’t had it in so long! I used to use pudding mix, pre-made graham cracker crust & cool whip. I bet this version tastes 100x better!

  7. I love that this is from scratch! I used to make a lot of recipes with shortcuts (i.e., not from scratch 🙁 ), but now that I’ve been making things from scratch for the most part for a while now, it’s hard to go back. But I do remember how awesome that chocolate pudding pie my mom used to make (with boxed pudding) was….. Your version is waaaay better though, for sure!

  8. My favorite pie!! I could never pass up a slice of chocolate pudding pie. Because everything is better with chocolate and that includes pie.

  9. Simply Life says:

    It’s so frustrating when things like that happened, but this looks like it was for the best!

  10. Now I’m going to return to hibernation because without pie week I have no need to exist. Just kidding, gotta make this pie first.

  11. Oh my goodness! Chocolate pudding pie! Probably one of my favorites and yours is gorgeous!

  12. Victoria says:

    Boy do I love pie! This looks so comforting and so much better than the version made from boxes ingredients! Sorry that other pie didn’t work out. Sounds like they were trying to get you to make dulce de leche with the sweetened condensed milk, and if so, there are way more efficient ways to go about that than in a dish in the oven! Oh well 🙂

  13. gloria says:

    this look absolutely amazing!!!

  14. No need to apologize when chocolate is involved…or any apology is accepted when chocolate is involved…I dunno what I mean…This from scratch chocolate pudding has chocolatified my brain! 🙂

  15. Chocolate pudding and buttery cookie crust…a heavenly combo, Joanne.

  16. […] Chocolate Pudding Pie- Eats Well with Others […]

  17. Bummer when that happens – I hate throwing food away. Looks like you had a nice recovery though with this beautiful pie. I hadn’t ever heard of people eating this as a traditional dessert for the holidays until a few years ago.

  18. […] The Baker Chick S’mores Hand Pies- Chocolate and Carrots Pumpkin Coconut Pie- Dessert for Two Chocolate Pudding Pie- Eats Well with Others Cranberry Apple Pie- Keep it Sweet Desserts Caramel Chess Tart- Bake or […]

  19. SallyBR says:

    I would LOOOOOVE to see the photo of that concoction that made The Boy lose his composure…

    but this pie looks amazing, great save of a culinary disaster… 😉

  20. patsy says:

    chocolate pudding pie is a perfect way to recover from such a disaster! I haven’t had this kind of pie in AGES, but may just make it for our Thanksgiving gathering just so I can enjoy homemade pudding. yummmmmmm!

  21. […] Chocolate Pudding Pie from Eats Well with Others […]

  22. Well despite your setback you ended up with something chocolate at the end of the day so I’m happy!

  23. This pie is gorgeous, Joanne! And, I’m with you on homemade chocolate pudding. Not only is it super quick, it far surpasses the boxed stuff in flavor.

  24. Megan says:

    Jeff’s mom always makes chocolate pudding pie for the holidays. I doubt I can get her to change her recipe, but the bittersweet chocolate in her sounds wonderful. I’ve done that condensed milk in a glass pan for something before… and it had to be in a water bath too I think. A huge pain!

  25. Sounds like the chocolate pudding pie was meant to be!

  26. Best “mistake” ever. I love how you took your Mama’s classic recipe and made it from scratch. This looks amazingly rich and chocolatey. #PIELADIES

  27. Salted Caramel Pie sounds great – but how can you go wrong with a good old chocolate pudding pie?

  28. Once you start making things homemade you can never go back! I bet this pie tastes as good as it looks!

  29. I haven’t had this in ages!! But I bet this homemade version is nothing like the cafeteria one I used to enjoy in college.

  30. this is what i want on thanksgiving. a decadent chocolate pie.

  31. […] Chocolate Pudding Pie- Eats Well with Others […]

  32. gahhh!!! I hate when I have kitchen blunders!! The worst. At least we ended up with this delicious pie, SO yummyyyy!

  33. Hands down Joanne ! This is my absolute favorite pie in the entire world! Perfect and thanks for the recipe I know what I will be making this weekend! Have a great weekend! xxoo Anna

  34. LOL oh no! Im sorry about your other fail! But this looks absolutely amazing, so maybe happy accident?? 😉

  35. Emma says:

    What a pie! I’ve never had American-style chocolate pudding, from or packet or from scratch but it looks so comforting and easy!

  36. Emma says:

    Guessing this giveaway’s not open worldwide? I can’t seen anything in the rules…

  37. What magazine Joanne? What a bummer! Although you got this awesome pudding pie out of it! Are you going to bring it to Thanksgiving?

  38. I’d actually rather have a pudding pie, so this is perfect for me!! LOVE!

  39. Sadly, I have moved on to stretchy pant permanently or at least until further notice. I love that you’ve made chocolate pudding from scratch, Joanne. Fabulous pie!

  40. Corina says:

    I haven’t had a pie like this for years – It looks so good!

  41. Kate says:

    I’m so sad for the wasted sweetened condensed milk!

  42. Oh man. I am so sorry your first pie didn’t turn out. I can totally sympathize with kitchen disasters like this.
    But when an amazing chocolate pie like this is born from a disaster? It makes it kind of worth the suffering, right?
    This looks amazing. End of.
    Pinning!

  43. You are so funny.
    This is the most gorgeous and decadent pie ever.

  44. Shannon says:

    i have never tried making dulce de leche from sweetened condensed milk, but everyone makes it look so easy! this was definitely a pie win- yum 😉

  45. Ok, I want to inhale this by myself. If I make it quick and eat it quick, no one will know it ever existed!

  46. Eileen says:

    PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE PIE. That is all. 🙂

  47. Now you have me craving chocolate pudding! My mom always used to make it when we were feeling sick and I loved eating it warm off the stove…I’m also the weirdo who likes when the pudding gets that “skin” on it after being in the fridge. But deciding to put the pudding in your pie crust sounds like a very good idea 🙂

  48. You have spoilt me my friend, I will only want this pie now!

    Cheers
    CCU

  49. Hotly Spiced says:

    That’s a delicious looking pie and I love how you made it from scratch! It can be quite frustrating when you follow a recipe to the letter only to have a gagging disaster on your hands xx

  50. If there’s chocolate in it I’m not complaining! YUM!!

  51. Pam says:

    What a bummer! I think the chocolate pie looks beautiful and delicious!

  52. Oh Joanne… Chocolate pudding pie and pecan pie are my hubby’s two faves. I’m going to have to try out your recipe on him. He’ll be thrilled!

  53. Oh no, so it didn’t work? I pinned something to that method the other day. Phooey. But on the upside, you brought us this. It all evens out in the end.

  54. I’m just gonna go ahead and say I wanna face plant this pie. REEEEEEAL bad.

  55. Monet says:

    Isn’t it amazing how trustworthy good old fashioned pudding is? My go-to when I have a baking disaster. Thank you for sharing sweet Joanne!

  56. such a decadent pie….can have it every day….love pudding pies with chocolate 🙂

  57. Kelster says:

    I’ve seen the dish in the oven thing before. I’ve never tried it. However, I’ve done the can-fully-submerged-water-in-slow-cooker method. That worked for me.

  58. The first pie story really sounds quite sad – but as you say, it seems it was for the best! This alternate outcome sounds delicious 🙂

  59. A great recovery from the waste of ingredients!

  60. Oooh poor girl, I hate when that happens too! But luckily, you got to make this amazing pie instead. It looks so darn awesome 😉

  61. This pie looks perfect. Salted caramel shmaramel. Chocolate pudding pie is always the answer. I don’t care what the question is.

  62. katie says:

    This looks divine my friend!!!

  63. […] Chocolate Pudding Pie from Eats Well with Others […]

  64. Better than mama’s, I’d say!

  65. I kind of love old school box pudding desserts but this really does look and sound so much better. I am pretty sure I’d eat this pie with a spoon out of the pie dish… oops! Looks like your original fail turned into a big success.

  66. Joanne, I entered the Kitchen Aid food processor competition (I’m feeling lucky!) With Thanksgiving coming soon, I’ll have to get my separate “pie stomach” back into commission. I’ve set this part of my stomach aside to handle the pumpkin pie, chocolate pudding pie, (and is there such a thing as cranberry pie)?

  67. Haley L says:

    Woah this looks so good. Hoping to make it for thanksgiving!!

  68. Jessie says:

    Oh man, I’m sorry about your salted caramel pie. But really, this. Is. Amazing. Chocolate pudding pie, you will be in my dreams tonight. Homemade is SO much better than from the box.

  69. Erica says:

    That pie looks absolutely amazing,Joanne! Great giveaway!

  70. I am trying not to eat as much pie over the holidays but this is not helping at all! Looks amazing!

  71. Oh wow what a pie!! I have never tried a pudding pie, but I definitely am craving yours. This looks fantastic!

  72. Barbara says:

    Quite often our disasters make for successes. Sure is the case here, Joanne. Looks like you a have the perfect pie for pie week…which is a cute idea in itself. Going to check out the recipes!

  73. cquek says:

    Yum! Looks absolutely scrumptious. And, as always your photos make the food look so tempting.

  74. Daniela says:

    Joanne, this pie is a winner!
    I’m sure it was for the best that the other one didn’t turn out as expected, this one looks mouthwatering 🙂

  75. was it a food and wine salted caramel pie? if so, i’ve made that a few times…haven’t had the caramel burning problem but I was definitely nervous re: the method. I recommend trying it again…it is so worth it!!

  76. I love chocolate pudding pie but never associated it with Thanksgiving until I moved to New England. We are invited to our friend’s home each year for this holiday. The mother of our hostess brings chocolate pudding pie each year but with one slice missing. She has the first slice at home and then brings the rest to her daughter’s home for all her guests on Thanksgiving day. 🙂 Yours sounds delicious with the graham cracker crust.

  77. Tracey says:

    Well all’s well that ends well, that’s for sure – because that is one gorgeous pie! Shane would *kill* for a slice!

    I have heard some people have luck with the oven dulce de leche method, but I’ve never tried. I have done it in the slow cooker though and had success!

  78. Sorry to hear about your other pie, but this one looks so yummy. I love chocolate pudding pies.

  79. Emily says:

    Your chocolate pudding pie looks amazing! Wow! I love that you guys had a pie week. That’s so fun!

  80. Heather M says:

    My husband loved his mom’s chocolate pie from a box. He does not love mine from a box but likes it from scratch. What’s with that? Anyway, get this, just yesterday I promised him a chocolate pudding pie and a chocolate pudding pie he shall have. I guess I need to use your recipe since it conveniently placed itself in front of me.

  81. can we have a “chocolate pudding pie WEEK” every month?
    hello?

  82. Danielle says:

    From November to January all I wear is stretchy pants so I’m all set : ) This pie looks so yummy! It’s a true classic and so much better when it’s homemade! ?

  83. This looks OUTRAGEOUS! I haven’t had pie like that in yeeeears. And I’m with ya – I’ve been telling myself to trust my gut more when cooking, EVEN when it’s something from a trusted source. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

  84. Reeni says:

    I’m sorry that was a fail! I’ve used that method before – I think I only baked mine for 1 hour. Anywho this pie sounds just as yummy! Homemade pudding rocks!

  85. I have been thinking of making a pie for past one week.. but I have been very lazy… urs look beautiful… I think I m gonna try this 🙂

  86. I totally know what your pie fail is like. It happens all too often for me. I’m so glad you filled your pie crust with chocolate pudding, though! Such a great idea!

  87. Nest year… thanksgiving at your place! 😉 I want to slurp this pie UP!

  88. […] Chocolate pudding pie is a Thanksgiving tradition in my family, and this homemade version puts the pudding-from-a-box […]

  89. pam hope says:

    just made this recipe with a couple of minor adjustments: 3 oz of baker’s chocolate, flour and cornstarch used, mostly cornstarch and a bit more sugar at the end…added mini marshmallows too. OMG. soooo good! homemade pudding rocks! i will never buy jello brand again.

  90. Alison says:

    Great pie! Just made it, but I didn’t see where I should add the half and half – did I miss this? Mine also came out tasting a bit gelatinous, do you have any suggestions to fix this?

    • joanne says:

      Oops! I’m so sorry, I should have made the instructions clearer. The half and half should be added with the milk in step 3. Did you end up adding it at all? If not, that could be why it tasted gelatinous. Otherwise, the only other thing I can think of is that maybe there was too much cornstarch added. Hope this helps!!

  91. Talia says:

    Does this come out solid enough to use a cheesecake pan without crust lining the sides? Or will it ooze?

  92. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never had chocolate pudding pie! This recipe looks great though so hopefully that will change! Thanks for posting it, Joanne!

  93. Millifa Jack says:

    A piece of chocolate pudding pie I will never give up. And of chocolate everything is better and it includes pasta.

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