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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
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!
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!
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
- In a blender or food processor, pulse the graham crackers into crumbs.
- Combine with brown sugar and melted butter.
- Press the mixture into the pie pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
Chocolate pudding filling
- 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.
- 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.
- Top. Spread the filling over the buttery graham cracker crust or oreo cookie crust, if using.
Whipped cream topping
- Prep. Before serving the pie – place a metal or glass mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe FAQs
My recipe calls for mixing the pudding mix with heavy whipping cream instead of milk to give the filling an extra thick consistency.
Be sure to use heavy whipping cream when mixing the filling. Substituting milk will make the filling runny.
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.
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Chocolate Pudding Pie
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.
Omg, this was so easy and tasted amazing! I was surprised at how the pie held together while serving a slice. Had several family gatherings around Easter and it was a hit with everyone.
Can you bake the crust?
Hi Chris! This recipe is specifically made with a no bake crust.
I’ve been making this for the past 20+ years and my family always requests this for holidays. I have always used 3 small boxes of instant pudding, 2 cups whole milk and a large can reddi whip (extra creamy). Use a second can of whipped cream for topping when you serve each slice.
It has always came out perfectly and I love playing around with different variations of pudding mix. My favorite so far is substitute one pudding for a box of Godiva chocolate caramel and use chocolate fudge for the other 2 boxes. Soooo good!
Same recipe as the “Dream Pie” from YEARS AGO! Difference in these recipes is if you use Dream Whip, the pie is not as fluffy and has a more “chocolatey” flavor. Either way you make it, it’s always a hit!
Made this pie and followed recipe to the letter and used my stand up mixer. Filling is not thick  very soupy.  Pie in fridge overnight. Have pie in freezer hopefully it works.  If there are any other suggestions please let me know. Â
Made this for my husband’s 82nd birthday. He loved it and so did the family ! I need to do something to make the crust hold together better but I’ll work on it.Â
I made this for thanksgiving and it was fabulous. My sons loved it so I’m making it for Christmas. I made a French Silk Pie before but was too much work for me so this was better for my schedule and taste just as good.Â
This was absolutely amazing! I made this for our church potluck and it was gone in minutes. Keeping this on hand to make again. Thank you!
I made this yesterday for my 77th birthday in place of cake which none of us really like. I live with my grand kids and they like chocolate pie. This is the best recipe for chocolate cream pie I’ve ever made.  The entire family loved it, it was gone in one sitting. Next time I will make 2! 👍
Do you pre bake the graham cracker crust??
You don’t need to pre-bake the crust!