This old-fashioned southern Chocolate Meringue Pie is the ultimate chocolate lovers’ dessert for any occasion. This decadent dessert with its flaky, buttery crust, rich chocolate custard filling, and fluffy homemade meringue is a treasured family recipe we’ve enjoyed for years.
Whether you’re heading to a potluck, having a birthday bash, or just want a beautiful dessert to serve family and friends, this pie with its chocolate custard base and sweet, fluffy meringue is a perfect choice.
There’s just something about a homemade pie that conjures up feelings of comfort and home. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, making us think of family gatherings and holiday feasts.
With so many different varieties, fillings, and toppings, there’s a pie for even the pickiest eaters. While I would never pass up an apple, peach, or strawberry pie, this Old Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie is hands down one of my favorite recipes. I can’t really tell you where it came from, who invented it, or who it “belongs” to but what I can tell you is that it’s pure comfort food magic.
Magic in that it can disappear. Right before your eyes. Before you know it, it’ll be completely gone without a trace. Except for maybe the telltale smudges around a few little mouths :-)
Fair warning – this pie is very sweet, chocolatey, and very, very rich. You’ll only need a small slice (yeah, right). It easily serves 8 and could stretch to 10.
❤️ Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy to follow steps
- Velvety smooth chocolate filling
- Fluffy meringue to balance the rich chocolate filling
- Great for holidays, bake sales, dessert, and more
🛒 Ingredient Notes
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- Eggs – Standard large eggs at room temperature.
- Sugar – White, granulated sugar, nothing fancy. I use Domino sugar.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – You’ll get the best, most traditional flavor from Hershey’s or Nestle’s cocoa powder.
- Cornstarch – It thickens the filling.
- Milk – I recommend whole milk for this recipe and have not tested it with lowfat options.
- Butter – of course, everything’s better with butter.
- Vanilla extract – believe it or not, vanilla brings out the flavor of chocolate.
- Pie shell – if you have a recipe you like, please use it; otherwise, purchase either a frozen or refrigerated pie crust.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🔪 How to Make Chocolate Meringue Pie
The Preliminaries
Before you start making the chocolate custard filling and meringue, you’ll need a baked and cooled pie crust ready to go. Use your favorite homemade recipe or a purchased refrigerated pie crust. Bake it according to the package directions and set it aside to cool while you go on with the recipe.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Making the Chocolate Custard Pie Filling
STEP 1. In a medium bowl, whisk the 3 egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Set aside.
STEP 2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, salt, and cornstarch. Stir in about one cup of the milk.
STEP 3. Place over medium high heat and with a large whisk, gradually add the remaining milk, whisking constantly until well blended. Bring to a low boil. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
STEP 4. Add a small amount of the hot mixture to the egg yolks, stirring well.
My Favorite Hand Mixer
- 9 Speeds: Combine ingredients at speed one for slowly stirring in chunky ingredients, speed six for mixing bread batter and creaming butter and sugar, then speed nine for whipping meringue.
- Lock the cord into either the left or right side of the mixer so you can approach ingredients from any angle. The round cord is easy to wipe clean.
STEP 5. Then add the egg mixture back to the cocoa mixture in the saucepan.
STEP 6. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
STEP 7. Pour into the cooked, cooled pie shell.
Make the Meringue
STEP 8. Add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until foamy.
STEP 9. Gradually add the 1/4 cup sugar. Increase speed to high and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
STEP 10. Immediately spread the meringue onto the hot filling.
Bake the Meringue
STEP 11. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown on top.
Allow the pie to cool (refrigerating for several hours is best) before slicing and serving.
❗ Recipe Tips
- Storing your pie: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I recommend a sealable container rather than plastic wrap because the wrap will stick to the meringue. When it comes to freezing meringue pies, I don’t recommend it. The texture of a meringue changes dramatically when frozen becoming tough and rubbery. If, however, you don’t mind a tough, rubbery meringue go right ahead and freeze your pie. Wrap it well and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Making meringue: The eggs need to be at room temperature to get the most volume possible when making meringue. Before starting to beat egg whites, make sure that the bowl and beaters you are using are scrupulously clean. Even the smallest amount of fat, oil, or yolk in the bowl will prevent the egg whites from beating correctly. If you happen to get a tiny bit of yolk into the whites when separating the eggs, you’ll simply have to throw those out and start over. They’ll never whip up into a meringue.
❓ Questions About Chocolate Meringue Pie
Occasionally, you may find a watery layer between the filling and topping of any meringue pie. This is referred to as “weeping.” It can occur if the filling is not hot when the meringue is placed on top of it. The meringue needs the heat from a hot filling to cook its underside while the oven cooks the top. To avoid weeping, make sure your filling is hot when you add the meringue and that you put the pie directly into the oven to bake.
When using an electric mixer, it usually takes about 4-5 minutes for egg whites to create stiff peaks. If beating by hand with a whisk, it only takes slightly longer. For best results, use a stainless steel or copper bowl when beating a meringue.
I’m old fashioned, so I’ve always used plain old white sugar. However, you can use powdered sugar if you like. 1 3/4 cups of powdered sugar equals 1 cup of white granulated sugar.
That’s actually sugar syrup that has seeped out during the cooking. It’s quite typical to see beading on more rustic, country style pies, and it does not bother me in the least. If you insist on having a perfect meringue with no sugar beads on top, you’ll need to try something like an Italian meringue that requires more steps and is stabilized to prevent beading. I kinda like the little beads myself :-)
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📖 Recipe
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Chocolate Meringue Pie
Ingredients
- 3 eggs separated
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 3 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 9-inch pie shell baked and cooled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the 3 egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, salt, and cornstarch. Stir in about one cup of the milk.
- Place the saucepan over medium high heat and with a large whisk, gradually add the remaining 2 cup milk, whisking constantly until well blended.
- Bring to a low boil. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Add a small amount of the hot mixture to the egg yolks, stirring well, then add the egg mixture back to the cocoa mixture in the saucepan.
- Cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
- Pour the chocolate mixture into the cooked, cooled pie shell. (Note: the chocolate mixture should be somewhat thickened but will finish setting up as the pie cools.)
- Add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add the 1/4 cup sugar. Increase speed to high and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the meringue immediately on the hot filling and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown on top.
Notes
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a tightly closed container.
- When making meringue, the eggs need to be at room temperature to get the most volume possible when making meringue. For best results, make sure that the bowl and beaters are scrupulously clean.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on April 26, 2016. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
This is absolutely the best recipe – identical to my own Grandmother’s – I have worn my copy of hers so thin over the years that I can barely read it – you saved Thanksgiving – thank you!
I’m so glad you found the recipe. Hope you enjoy it!
This is the first meringue recipe I’ve seen that doesn’t have cream of tartar. I looked over the whole page several times. Did I miss it?
You didn’t miss anything. Lots of meringue recipes don’t use cream of tartar. I’ve never used it in any of my meringue pies but you can add some if you feel you must.
Just reading this recipe reminds of my granny’s chocolate pie. Thank you for reminding me of such wonderful memories! I’m definitely making this pie.
I hope you make it and thoroughly enjoy it!!
I am going to try your recipe. I usually make one from an old EMC cookbook that my Mother-In-Law had, but it’s always runny and the chocolate never sets up. Its a great tasting pie, just wish it would set up like my grandmothers did.
Hope it works out well for you, Cindy. I’ve been making this recipe for at least 30 years and it always works well for me!
Is this a deep dish pie?
I typically use a deep dish pie shell for this recipe.
Easy and delicious. Chocolate and meringue one of the greatest combos! Thanks for the recipe that so reminds me of my grandmother. Husband loves this and already wants more! I love your site and thank your for sharing so many great things. This is also pantry friendly and can be made anytime.
Made this pie tonight 8/28/2022 looks delish will let it cool then have it tomorrow.
Hope you enjoy the pie!
Usually those “beads” on meringue are because you didn’t thoroughly beat each spoonful of sugar when adding it to the egg whites. Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in the mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed till foamy. Then gradually add the sugar, about 2 tablespooons at a time, and on high speed beat till stiff peaks form. Spread immediately on the hot filling and baking for about 12 to 15 minutes till golden brown on top. I’ve been baking for 68 years and found this “foolproof” way of doing meringue. The reason it “beads” is because the sugar is not thoroughly dissolved before spreading the meringue on the hot pie filling. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 to 15 minutes. I’ve seen some recipes that say to just stick it under the broiler to brown the top. That won’t work!!! You must dissolve the sugar!!!!
Easy, full-proof and delicious. What else can you ask for!
I can’t think of a thing!
Such a great recipe! I made your chocolate pie recipe and it turned out perfect! Thank you for sharing!!
Happy to know you like it, Sherry! My family love this recipe, too.
Made this pie the other day. Flavor was excellent. I made meringue, toasted it to perfection, let it cool slightly, put it in a plastic pie container and put it in the fridge overnight. By the morning, the meringue had completely deflated. How do I prevent that from happening?
Wow. In all my years of making pies, I’ve never had that happen. Without being in the kitchen with you, it’s really hard to say what went wrong. But, you did mention that you let it cool “slightly.” The pie should be completely cool before storing it. Also, it could be that you over-beat the egg whites. Beating them too much makes big bubbles that eventually collapse and won’t support the baked meringue.
Excellent recipe and end result. Just like moms pie
That’s great to hear. I’m happy to know you liked it!
My son bought me a torch for Christmas, and I’ve not used it yet. Do I have to bake this, or could I use the torch on the meringue?
I would bake it to make sure the egg whites are cooked.
So delicious and so easy. Best chocolate meringue recipe yet. Will save as a favorite
I’m so glad you like it! It’s one of my all-time favorite recipes.
Thank you for this delicious recipe! It’s perfect! When I’m in a hurry, I poor it into a graham cracker crust,use cool whip when served, after cooled.
That’s a great way to serve it on a busy day, Michele. I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipe!
I’m sorry you didn’t understand that, Leslie. I guess I thought it was obvious. I’ll rewrite to include in the instructions that you should cook it until it thickens.
Yes, the filling should be thick like chocolate pudding and should have already been thick when placed in the pie crust. The baking is only to cook and brown the meringue.
How long will this keep?
Well, the standard recommendation for keeping refrigerated cooked/prepared food (leftovers, etc.) is about three days.
The ingredients say a total of 3 cups of milk but the instructions say to add one of the three cups. Confusing.
Well, the instructions say to “stir in about one cup of the milk. Place over medium high heat and with a large whisk, gradually add the remaining milk, whisking constantly until well blended.” So that’s all three cups of milk.
I’m a student at South Pontotoc Middle School in Mississippi I love this recipe and was going to use this picture in a website of mine but i have one question what is the copyright?
Hi Anonia. Thanks very much for asking. All images on my site are protected by copyright. However, I would give you permission to use it on your web site so long as you are not using it for profit. I’d like to see how you’ve used it if you’d could send me a link when you’ve placed it in your web site.
My momma made the best chocolate meringue pie,but every time l have tried the bottom of crust is soggy,l always wanted for pudding to cool completely before putting in cooled baked pie shell,then l put meringue on and put in oven to brown.Is that the problem ,should l put pudding in shell as soon as it cooks,without cooling it then put meringue on and put in oven,my mom is no longer with us and my son’s miss her chocolate pie so much,please help what am l doing wrong.
It’s always hard to say what might be wrong without being in the kitchen with someone, but a couple of things you can try to prevent a soggy crust are 1) brush the crust with beaten egg and 2) bake on a hot baking sheet (heat the sheet in the oven while it preheats). Hope that helps!
My Mother used to make this when I was a girl. My Dad absolutely loved it. Thanks for the memory. –Rocquie
Oooooh…. when I saw the picture, I immediately said “Uncle Bud.” He would have loved it. And, Aunt Margie was hands down a fantastic cook, especially sweets.
Thanks for the memory.
Miss P
I know. I was thinking of him the whole time I was making this pie. And Aunt Margie was something else in the kitchen!
When I had my little Home Sweet Home Bakery in NC, I sold hundreds of this pie…one of the favorites. This exact recipe is in my cookbook, “Turnip Greens, Ham Hocks & Granny’s Buns” ! I take it to family gatherings…a favorite! I compared our recipes and they were exactly the same…South Georgia girls!!!! Love your site…Dianne
Yes, this recipe has been around for a long time! I have a feeling it was developed by Hershey to sell cocoa powder :-)
Hi Lana… I just had to tell you that I made this pie last night and it literally is the first of who knows how many failed attempts that it set up and worked! They always tasted and looked fantastic but practically needed a straw to eat it. I thought I had tried every variation but seems I have barely scratched the surface. I am making 2 more today as I am so excited to show any and everyone that’s had mine in the past.
Anyway – thanks so very much for posting this and making such a large part of my youth back to life. Sincerely- denise
I’m so happy to know that the recipe worked out well for you! It’s definitely a good one.
My husband doesn’t like meringue. Much prefers whipped cream. Would the pie still need to be baked if I do not use the meringue?
PJ – no, you would not bake it if not topping with meringue. The baking is for cooking the meringue. Just cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
I have never seen a chocolate pie with 3 cups of milk. Is this for one regular pie or does this make two?
Than
The recipe makes one pie.