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French Silk Pie

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French Silk Pie is the best rich and creamy chocolate pie topped with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

slice of french silk pie on plate

French Silk Pie

The name of this chocolate pie came about because the filling is smooth and silky.  In 1951, a woman named Betty Cooper created it for the 3rd annual Pillsbury Bake Off competition. It didn’t win the grand prize, but it did get 2nd place. Why French? Betty thought the pie seemed fancy, so she added “French” into the title to make the dessert seem more elegant. This is not Betty’s original French Silk Pie recipe (which used raw eggs), but it’s a delicious re-creation that uses cooked eggs instead.

ingredients displayed for making french silkpie

🛒Ingredients needed:

  • pie crust
  • whipping cream
  • heavy whipping cream
  • semisweet chocolate
  • butter
  • granulated white sugar
  • egg yolks
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract

four photos showing how to make french silk pie
✏️How to make French Silk Pie:

*The complete, printable recipe with all ingredients and instructions is at the end of this post.

  1. In a medium, heavy saucepan combine 1 cup of the whipping cream, chocolate, butter and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate melts (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat. Gradually stir half of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Return the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture in the pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is slightly thickened and begins to bubble (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat (the mixture might appear a bit curdled). Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of whipping cream. Place the saucepan in a bowl of ice water, stirring occasionally, until the mixture stiffens and becomes hard to stir (about 20 minutes).
  2. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Beat the chocolate mixture with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Spread the filling in the baked pie crust. Cover and chill for 5 to 24 hours.

french silk pie overhead shot with whipped cream on top

ADD WHIPPED CREAM TO SERVE:

In a medium bowl, combine the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. Use an electric hand mixer to mix until stiff peaks form (2 to 4 minutes). Spread the whipped cream on top of the chilled pie. Add some chocolate shavings for garnish, if you’d like. Slice and serve.

slice of french silk pie

★How to Store:

This recipe may be made ahead of time and refrigerated up to 2 days before serving. French Silk Pie may also be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze with a couple of layers of plastic wrap on top of the chocolate layer. Plan to add the whipped cream topping when thawed and ready to serve.

➡️Recipe Tips:

  • Try making this pie with an Oreo crust instead of a regular pie crust.
  • Some people like using granulated white sugar to make homemade whipped cream. I prefer powdered sugar, which is what you see in this recipe. Use what you prefer!
  • Be creative with garnishes for French Silk Pie. Use miniature chocolate chips, Oreo cookie crumbles (if using an Oreo crust) or fresh mint leaves.

slice of french silk pie o nplate with fork sticking out the top

❤️Why I love this recipe:

  1. The chocolate filling for this pie is amazing. It’s decadent and creamy.
  2. This is a great pie to make ahead. That makes things easier if you’re serving for a party or holiday.
  3. I’ve made this pie filling to pipe into little phyllo cups for mini pies. It’s a great, easy, mini-dessert!

Favorite Pie Recipes:

slice of french silk pie on plate

French Silk Pie

RecipeBoy.com
The most wonderful sweet chocolate pie!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes
Chill Time: 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 slices
Calories 511 kcal

Ingredients
  

PIE:

  • 1 baked pie crust
  • 1 cup + 3 tablespoons whipping cream, divided
  • 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate (chips or chunks)
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • ⅓ cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten

TOPPING:

Instructions
 

  • In a medium, heavy saucepan combine 1 cup of the whipping cream, chocolate, butter and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate melts (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat. Gradually stir half of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Return the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture in the pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is slightly thickened and begins to bubble (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat (the mixture might appear a bit curdled). Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of whipping cream. Place the saucepan in a bowl of ice water, stirring occasionally, until the mixture stiffens and becomes hard to stir (about 20 minutes).
  • Transfer the chocolate mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Beat the chocolate mixture with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Spread the filling in the baked pie crust. Cover and chill for 5 to 24 hours.

ADD WHIPPED CREAM TO SERVE:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. Use an electric hand mixer to mix until stiff peaks form (2 to 4 minutes). Spread the whipped cream on top of the chilled pie. Slice and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 511kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 5gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 167mgPotassium: 197mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1051IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chocolate pie, french, pie, silk
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