This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Chocolate pudding pie is one of my favorite go-to, easy-to-make, no bake desserts that you need to have in your back pocket! With just 8 ingredients and 20 minutes of prep, you can wow all your friends and family. Keep reading for my tried and true pro tips!

I made this pudding pie for Thanksgiving yesterday and it was a big hit, everyone loved it. It was also quite easy to make. I will definitely make this dessert again.

-Marie
slice of chocolate pudding pie on white plate on white background
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Why you’ll love this Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe

  • 8 ingredients
  • 20 minutes to prep
  • no bake dessert
  • thick and fluffy
  • can be made with a graham cracker pie crust, store-bought crust or oreo pie crust

Pudding pie is an old fashion recipe that has been around for a while! There’s many different ways to make it, including from scratch, but I think the best way to make it is to use a box of instant pudding mix.

This easy chocolate pudding pie is a family favorite and gets rave reviews. This is an easy dessert to make for special occasions, you won’t be able to get enough of this chocolate cream pie recipe!

chocolate pudding pie with slice removed from pie pan on white background

Many recipes use cold milk, however, I found that using heavy whipping cream created a pie that was thicker, stable, and more mousse like! It’s the perfect creamy chocolate pie for true chocolate addicts!

If you have a stand mixer, this is a great time to use it because when you beat the pudding mix and heavy cream together, the mixture will be very thick. Once you add in the cool whip, the mixture will become more creamy and fluffy. 

You can use a hand mixer and large bowl as well to make the chocolate pudding filling.

Chocolate Pudding Pie ingredients

Scroll down for the full ingredient list and instructions.

  • instant chocolate pudding mix
  • heavy cream
  • cool whip
  • graham cracker crumbs
  • brown sugar
  • butter

Pudding Pie Variations

Gluten Free Chocolate Pie

It is really easy to make this chocolate pie with pudding gluten free by using gluten free oreos for the crust. All of the other ingredients in the recipe are naturally gluten free!

slice of chocolate pudding pie being removed from pie pan

Swap the Graham Cracker Crust for Oreo Crust

If you prefer an oreo pie crust, here’s our recipe!

  • 1 package oreos (14.3 oz) 
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted melted butter

Blend the oreos until they are crumbs, combine with the butter and press into the pie pan. 

Can I substitute the cool whip?

If you don’t want to use cool whip, you can substitute 8 oz of fresh whipped cream, which is also equal to 3 cups.

How to make Chocolate Pudding Pie

Graham cracker crust

  1. In a blender or food processor, pulse the graham crackers into crumbs.
  2. Combine with brown sugar and melted butter.
  3. Press the mixture into the pie pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
packing graham cracker pie crust into pie plate with metal measuring cup

Chocolate pudding filling

  1. Combine. Beat the pudding mix and heavy cream together. The mixture will be extremely thick. If you have a stand mixer, this is a great time to use it! Image 1 on the collage above.
  2. Cool whip. Gently beat in the cool whip. Once you add in the cool whip, the mixture will become more creamy and fluffy. Image 2 on the collage above. 
  3. Top. Spread the filling over the buttery graham cracker crust or oreo cookie crust, if using.

Whipped cream topping

  1. Prep. Before serving the pie – place a metal or glass mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  2. Beat. Remove the bowl from the freezer. Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat with an electric mixer for 4-5 minutes, or until stiff peaks form / it’s scoop-able with a spoon and holds its shape.
  3. Assemble. Spoon onto the pie and top with chocolate shavings. I used a Hershey’s Chocolate Bar and a potato peeler to make chocolate shavings.

How to store Chocolate Cream Pie with Pudding

This pie needs to be refrigerated. It can also be frozen for a frozen dessert pie! Be sure to cover the pie with plastic wrap to keep it fresh. 

Peanut butter pie, oreo pudding pie, and peanut butter cup chocolate pie are all no bake recipes that you can serve with chocolate pudding pie!

Time Required

  • 4 minutes to make the crust 
  • 5 minutes to make the chocolate filling
  • 5 minutes to make whipped cream topping
  • 4-8 hours to chill in the fridge 
slice of chocolate pudding pie with bite removed on white plate

Pro Tips

  • The chocolate filling is VERY thick when mixing it. If you have a stand mixer, this is a great time to use it! 
  • Use a sharp, skinny knife to cut the pie into pieces. 
  • Be sure to use two 3.4 oz (or 3.9) boxes, not the large 5.1 or 5.9 boxes. 
slice of chocolate pudding pie with chocolate shavings on white plate on white background

Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe FAQs

How do you make pudding thicker for pie filling?

My recipe calls for mixing the pudding mix with heavy whipping cream instead of milk to give the filling an extra thick consistency.

Why is my chocolate pie filling runny?

Be sure to use heavy whipping cream when mixing the filling. Substituting milk will make the filling runny.

How do you make the bottom of a pie not soggy?

Usually this isn’t a problem with no bake pies. However, for best results, I recommend eating the pie within 24 hours of assembling to ensure the crust stays fresh.

Our Favorite Recipes

slice of chocolate pudding pie on white plate with striped napkin
4.22 from 402 ratings

Tap stars to rate!

Chocolate Pudding Pie

By: Beth
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Chocolate pudding pie is one of my favorite go-to, easy-to-make, no bake desserts that you need to have in your back pocket! With just 8 ingredients and 20 minutes of prep, you can wow all your friends and family. Keep reading for my tried and true pro tips!

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, about 9 graham crackers
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted melted butter, 3/4 stick

Filling

  • 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding mix, 3.4 oz (or 3.9) boxes, not the large 5.1 or 5.9 boxes
  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 container cool whip, 8 oz thawed

Topping

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions 

CRUST

  • In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter. Press this mixture evenly into a 9 or 10 inch pie pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the crust down. Place the crust in the fridge to chill until ready to fill.

FILLING

  • In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix and heavy cream with an electric mixer until well blended. You will NOT prepare the pudding mix as directed on the box. If you have a stand mixer, this is a great time to use it because when you beat the pudding mix and heavy cream together, the mixture will be very thick. 
  • Add the cool whip and mix on low until combined. Spread this mixture over the crust. Once you add in the cool whip, the mixture will become more creamy and fluffy.  Cover the pie pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-8 hours. 

Topping

  • Before serving the pie – place a metal or glass mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the bowl from the freezer. Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat with an electric mixer for 4-5 minutes, or until stiff peaks form / it’s scoop-able with a spoon and holds its shape.
  • Spoon onto the pie and top with chocolate shavings. 

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 1374IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Beth

I believe that everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring to parties! With hundreds of recipes, I'll help you find yours!

You May Also Like:

4.22 from 402 votes (385 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




94 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was the best chocolate cream  pie ever!  It had just the right amount to f chocolate and whip cream that made it delicious!

  2. I followed this recipe to a T & the pie filling is very soupy. This is not even pudding thickness, let along mousse like. What a bummer. I have it in the freezer now hoping it’ll firm up some but neither the filling or topping thickened up for me. Hopefully it still tastes good!

  3. 5 stars
    Most delicious pie!! Crazy good. Easy to make. Directions are clear and foolproof. Follow them and you’ll get scrumptious results.
    I have made many times now. Everyone loves and there are never leftovers lol. I’ve started adding a teaspoon of King Arthur espresso powder to the dry pudding mix for enhanced chocolate flavor. I also had no gelatin for the stabilized whipped cream this last time so I did use the cream cheese method. Was amazing still lol. Homemade whipped cream for the topping is definitely so worth it. Thank you for just a super delicious chocolate cream mousse pie lol lol masterpiece!!