This gluten-free chocolate pie is a long-time FAMILY FAVORITE! It features the best homemade chocolate pudding and a (secret ingredient) cream cheese whipped cream topping.
4tablespoons(56g) buttermelted and slightly cooled
For the Pudding:
2 ½cupswhole milk
5ounces(142g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolatechips or bar chocolate
5large egg yolks
¾cup(175g) + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
⅓cup(40g) cornstarch
¼teaspoonkosher salt
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
2tablespoonsbutter
For the Topping:
4ounces(113g) cream cheesesoftened
3tablespoonspowdered sugar
¼teaspoonvanilla extract
1cupheavy whipping cream
chocolate curls for garnishoptional
Instructions
Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the gluten-free graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and flour in a mixing bowl and mix until well combined. Add the melted butter and stir until fully combined and all of the crumbs are moistened.
Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 x 1.5-inch pie pan. (Tip: Do the sides first!)
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and set aside to cool completely while you make the filling.
Make the Pudding:
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and chocolate (chop the chocolate into pieces if using a bar chocolate). Heat over medium-low until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is warm.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. While whisking constantly, ladle in 1/2 cup or so of the warm milk mixture into the bowl, whisking vigorously (this is tempering the eggs so they don’t curdle when cooked on the stovetop). Continue ladling in another one or two scoops of the milk mixture and whisk until the egg mixture is smooth.
Pour the tempered egg mixture into the saucepan with the remaining chocolate milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook over medium heat, continuing to whisk the entire time, until the mixture is bubbling and thick, 4-5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Transfer the pudding to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the pudding come to room temperature, about 45 minutes to an hour.
When both the crust and pudding are cool, spread the pudding evenly in the pie crust. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, until the pudding is set.
Make the Topping:
In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth. With the mixer running on low, slowly pour in the whipped cream. Increase the speed to medium and continue to whip until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Spread the creamy topping over the chocolate pudding. Top with chocolate curls if desired. Chill the pie for another 1-2 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
RECIPE NOTES
To store: Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container for up to five days.
To make ahead: This pie can be made up to three days in advance. Make the crust and chocolate filling as directed. Keep chocolate filling in the fridge until ready to serve. Just before serving, make the whipped cream topping and assemble the pie.
To freeze: You can freeze this pie without the whipped cream topping. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and add the whipped cream topping just before serving.
Try a different crust. Want to switch up this recipe? Try making a chocolate cookie crust using gluten-free Oreo crust, or use a traditional gluten-free pie dough for a flaky pie crust.
Use room temperature cream cheese. Cream cheese blends much more easily if set at room temperature before using.
Use high-quality chocolate. Since chocolate is the foundation of this pie, be sure to choose a use high-quality brand (like Guittard or Ghirardelli).