Amish Chocolate Pie

Are you craving a creamy pie? Try out this Amish recipe that is very easy to follow.

The Amish Chocolate pie is a delicious silky pie that combines the sweet flavors of chocolate and a cool whipping cream topping.

The flaky pie crust provides a base for the creamy filling as well as enhances the texture of the chocolate pie. This recipe inspired the Rhubarb Custard Pie on this site.

Brief History of the Chocolate Pie

The American Apple pie is often associated with the 4th of July when we celebrate independence day. The colonists were celebrating independence from British rule and therefore tried to distance themselves from European desserts such as scones and bread puddings.

The Dutch and German immigrants taught the colonists how to make the buttery flaky crusts. The colonist filled the fla with apples and spices.

Over time chefs substituted apples with many other fruits as well other ingredients such as puddings. The Chocolate pie is an adaptation of a French dessert known as tarte au chocolat.

Also, Check out: Amish Fry Pies Recipe.

The Amish and the Chocolate pie

The Amish immigrated from Europe and settled in various parts of the country. They brought with them a rich European culinary heritage.

This probably made them adopt the Chocolate pie and made it famous. The Yoder Amish Home opens doors for visitors to experience the Amish culture and cuisine. We can never forget the great taste of Yoder's Amish Chocolate pie. It lingered till we had to learn to make it at home.

The Amish are a very religious conservative group of people who value living in closed communities, rarely mingling with other people known as ‘the world’. They live simple lives, and a great number of them avoid the use of vehicles, phones, and other modern conveniences such as electricity.

They hold their services every Sunday and will always have lunch together after the service. It is a tradition that they have handed from one generation to another.

It is during these regular lunches that the Amish women prepare food for the group of believers. They are known to be great cooks as they prepare delicious meals ranging from the famous Ham and Knepp to a delicious range of sweet desserts.

The Amish Recipes are easy and call for commonly found ingredients. That is why I love Amish Recipes because of their deliciousness and yet great authenticity.

The chocolate filling (Pudding)

The filling of this delicious dessert is made of chocolate pudding. The pudding is made by mixing flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, sugar, milk, and egg yolks.

The ingredients are cooked over medium-high heat to form a silky, creamy pudding. The pudding is chilled as it continues to thicken.

This decadent filling is rich but not overly sweet because we use cocoa powder.

The whipped cream

The pudding is topped with dollops of whipped cream. This topping blends beautifully in flavor and color contrast too! The sweet creamy topping will taste amazing with the chocolate flavor in the pudding.

The original recipe calls for raw eggs and powdered sugar in the frosting, however, you can use your own desired frosting ingredients.

Flaky pie crust 

The flaky buttery crust provides a base for the chocolate pudding. The crust is baked until golden brown and then filled. The cold butter coats the flour, making the crust flaky a property every pie crust should have.

Let us discuss the ingredients and substitutions in depth.

Chocolate Amish Whoopie Pies Recipe. Click to Read.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Single baked pie crust

You can buy a pie shell and bake it or make it from scratch. I am more of a ‘make-from-scratch’ cook. Try our Amish Pie Crust recipe that yields amazing results every time I make my homemade pie crust.

The pie shell is baked until golden brown and ready before filling with chocolate pudding.

The Chocolate Filling

Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is the primary ingredient in the pudding. It gives the earthy, almost bitter flavor and dark rich color. Unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder works best because of the pudding with sugar. If you use sweetened cocoa powder, remember to omit the sugar.

All-purpose flour

All-purpose flour gives the pudding a thick consistency. If you omit the flour the filling will be a custard and less thick. 

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a thickening agent in the chocolate filling.

Sugar

Sugar sweetens the pudding, we used white granulated sugar. However, you can substitute it with brown sugar which is less refined and has a rich molasses flavor.

Milk

Milk adds moisture to the pudding, enriching the pudding with a distinct flavor.

Egg yolks

Egg yolks are rich in fat and protein that thicken when heated in the pudding. It contributes to the silky and smooth texture of the pudding. 

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla is my all-time flavor, it adds a distinct mild and sweet flavor to the pudding. It combines well with the chocolate flavor. 

Salt

The little salt added makes a notable difference in the overall taste of the pudding.

WHIPPED CREAM

Heavy cream

Heavy cream is chilled and then whipped till light and fluffy with soft peaks. Its sweet yet mild flavor elevates the level of deliciousness of the higher level.

Sugar

Sugar sweetens the whipped creamy topping. You can also use melted white chocolate to sweeten the cream as well as make it stable and firm. Sugar is optional if your heavy cream is sweetened. 

Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract adds a calm, mild, and sweet flavor to the chilled whipped cream.

PRO TIPS

Prepare the ingredients ahead of time. The pudding needs time to chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours or longer. This step allows the flavors to ‘bloom’ making the chocolate pudding more exquisite in taste.

The Amish Chocolate pie tastes very delicious when chilled before serving too. Make the crust a day ahead too. This early preparation saves a lot of time when you want to assemble the pie.

FAQ Amish Chocolate Pie

How do I store my leftover Amish Chocolate Pie?

The Amish Chocolate Pie stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. I specialize in making the pie when we have many guests coming. With its creamy deliciousness, we have never had a slice leftover lol.

What makes my chocolate filling runny and not firm?

Various factors lead to a running chocolate filling;

• Failing to measure the cornstarch accurately, the right amount is needed to ensure your pudding thickens as required. 
• Always check the freshness of the cornstarch.
• Cook the pudding for the recommended time, if you get the pudding out the heat before time, it will not thicken appropriately.

ASSEMBLING THE AMISH CHOCOLATE PIE

1. Once your pudding and whipped cream have chilled, it is time to assemble your delicious Amish Chocolate Pie.
2. Pour the chocolate pudding into the baked pie shell, and spread with a spatula.
3. Fill your piping bag with the whipped cream and pipe florets on top of the chocolate pudding. If you do not have a piping bag, a spatula will still spread the whipped cream on the chocolate filling.

Grate some dark chocolate on top of the cream to garnish the pie as well as crown it with a richer chocolate flavor.

Amish Donuts Recipe

Homemade Amish Pie Crust

¼ cup cold butter

¼ cup cold shortening

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon Salt

¼ cup Ice cold water

1 teaspoon vinegar

How to make Homemade Pie Crust

1. When using a food processor, pulse the flour with the cold butter and shortening until the mixture appears like sand. You can use a hand pastry blender or your fingers to mix the flour and the butter.
2. Add a tablespoon at a time of ice-cold water and vinegar into the flour and butter mixture.
3. Turn over the mixture on a clean surface and form a ball with your hands. Work fast to form a ball, and let the dough rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
4. Roll it into a round disc, and line up the pie plate. Let it rest in the fridge as you preheat the oven to 350 F.
5. Using a fork, poke holes in the pie shell to keep the pie bottom from rising.
6. Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown. Let the pie cool on a wire rack.
7. Once cooled, assemble the pie as described in the recipe above.