French Silk Pie Recipe (2024)

HomeRecipe ListPies and TartsFrench Silk Pie Recipe

Posted by Aimee 83 comments
Published: Nov 11, 2020 Last Updated: May 19, 2023

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Smooth and decadent, French Silk Pie is a chocolate lovers dream! You’ll love the flaky pie crust, topped with smooth and silky chocolate!

Love pie? Be sure to add my homemade Cherry Pie to your dessert list. Or give these Peach Hand Pies a try this year!

French Silk Pie Recipe (1)

The Perfect Chocolate Pie Recipe

Growing up we always had French Silk Pie at holiday get togethers. It usually came from Bakers Square (anyone remember this restaurant?)!

That fudgy, creamy chocolate pie is still to this day one of my favorites! Most Thanksgivings we still serve a French Silk Pie along with the traditional pumpkin pie and pecan pie desserts!

If you prefer a homemade pie crust, you can totally go that route!

I did go the extra steps and make a homemade whipped cream to top this pie (but Cool Whip would work too if you prefer).

If you love french silk pie, our french silk brownies need to go on top of your baking list. Layers of brownies, mousse, and whipped cream for the ultimate dessert.

How to make French Silk Pie

There is one thing to remember when making this pie. All chocolate is NOT created equal. Do not lick your fingers after melting the baking chocolate…it’s very bitter, haha!

French Silk Pie Recipe (2)

STEP 1: Prepare a baked pie crust in a deep pie plate according to package directions (for a single baked pie shell). Allow pie crust to cool completely.

STEP 2: In a small microwave bowl, melt unsweetened baking chocolate on high heat for one minute. Stir and heat again in 15 second intervals until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.

STEP 3: In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter with sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Slowly drizzle in the cooled chocolate and beat the mixture on medium speed. Add in vanilla extract.

Because this recipe uses RAW EGGS, make sure you purchase the pasteurized eggs. These are found in most large grocery stores and safe for your family!

STEP 4: Add eggs, one at a time, beating with the whisk attachment on high speed for about 5 minutes after each egg. DO NOT RUSH. This is what creates a light and fluffy texture to your pie! Once all the eggs have been added (about 20 minutes later, this is why you MUST have a KitchenAid stand mixer or handheld mixer), pour this into your prepared pie pan!

STEP 5: For the garnish, beat the heavy cream for 3 minutes until it begins to form stiff peaks. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy! Spread over the top of the pie. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate pie for at least two hours (or overnight).

How to make Chocolate Curls

An easy trick for making chocolate curls (if you don’t want to scrape the curls into pretty pieces) is to spread your melted chocolate for the topping onto a piece of parchment paper, very thin!

Then roll that parchment paper into a tight “tube” and place in refrigerator. When you are ready to garnish your pie, remove the chocolate from the refrigerator and unroll your parchment.

The chocolate will break off into pieces, giving you the perfect chocolate chunk garnish without having to do any extra work!

Want to skip it? Just add mini chocolate chips instead (like in my video below)

For a creamy chocolate treat, without all the work, try my homemade chocolate pudding recipe!

ENJOY!

French Silk Pie Recipe (3)

Recipe FAQs

Why is it called French Silk Pie?

French Silk Pie got it’s name from it’s creamy silk texture.

Why is my French Silk Pie runny?

Adding your eggs too quickly or taking too long could result in either a runny consistency or too thick of a consistency. Be sure to follow the recipe exactly as directed.

Is it safe to eat raw eggs in French Silk Pie?

Using PASTEURIZED eggs means that during the pasteurization process, heat was used to destroy bacteria. Be sure to choose the pasteurized version.

More Dessert Recipes

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  • Pumpkin Pie
  • More Pies and Tarts

French Silk Pie Recipe (4)

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French Silk Pie

4.62 from 68 votes

By: Aimee

Smooth and decadent, French Silk Pie is a chocolate lovers dream! You'll love the flaky pie crust, topped with smooth and silky chocolate!

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 32 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 slices

Ingredients

For the Chocolate layer:

  • ½ box refrigerated pie crust for one pie
  • 4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate 100% cacoa
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs pasteurized

For the garnish:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Prepare pie crust according to package directions (for a single crust pie). Allow pie crust to cool.

  • In a small microwave bowl, melt baking chocolate on high heat for one minute. Stir and heat again in 15 second intervals until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.

  • In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Slowly drizzle in the cooled chocolate and continue beating on medium speed. Add in vanilla extract.

  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating for about 5 minutes after each egg. DO NOT RUSH. This is what creates a light and fluffy texture to your pie! Once all the eggs have been added (about 20 minutes later, this is why you MUST have a KitchenAid stand mixer), pour this into your prepared pie crust shell!

  • For the garnish, beat the heavy cream for 3 minutes until it begins to form stiff peaks. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy! Spread over the top of the pie. Refrigerate pie for at least two hours (or overnight).

  • For the chocolate curls (or pieces), melt chocolate chips in microwave dish for one minute. Stir until smooth, heating byadditional 15 second increments until fully melted. Spread over a large piece of parchment paper, until very VERY thin. Roll parchment paper up into a tube shape (like a paper towel tube). Refrigerate until ready to add the garnish, at least 30 minutes. Unroll parchment paper and the pieces will break off into shards. Place on top of pie when ready to serve. ENJOY!

Notes

  • Pasteurized Eggs- this recipe calls for pasteurized eggs which means they have gone through the heat process to remove bacteria.
  • Regular Eggs: if you can’t find pasteurized eggs, no problem. In a saucepan, on low-medium heat, add eggs with sugar. Whisk until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F (you’ll need a thermometer for this). Remove from heat and add in melted chocolate. Beat for about 5 minutes. Set aside. IN a mixer beat butter until fluffy, about three minutes. Add in chocolate egg mixture and vanilla extract. Pour into prepared pie crust shell. Skip ahead to Step 5.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 812kcal, Carbohydrates: 75g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 54g, Saturated Fat: 32g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g, Cholesterol: 193mg, Sodium: 144mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 61g

Course: Pies and Tarts

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Smooth and decadent, French Silk Pie is a chocolate lovers dream! You’ll love the flaky pie crust, topped with smooth and silky chocolate!

French Silk Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is French silk pie filling made of? ›

Filling. French Silk Pie filling is super smooth and creamy, while also being light and fluffy. To me, it is the perfect chocolate pie filling. It is made in a similar way that a chocolate mousse is made - by whipping egg yolks and sugar, adding melted chocolate, then folding in whipped cream.

What is the difference between chocolate pie and French silk pie? ›

The Crust: Chocolate cream pie traditionally sits on a cookie crumb crust, while French silk pie traditionally sits on a pastry crust. The Filling: Chocolate cream pie filling has a denser, pudding-like consistency, while French silk pie filling has a lighter, airier, more mousse-like consistency.

Does French silk pie contain raw eggs? ›

Most French silk pie recipes call for raw eggs, but I gently cook them first. This requires an extra step on the stove, but it cancels out any worries of serving raw eggs. Even with this step, we still have the same smooth-as-silk texture—nothing is compromised!

Why is it called French silk? ›

Why is it Called French Silk Pie? This chocolate pie is called “French Silk” because it is so smooth and silky. The recipe originated in 1951 when American Betty Cooper made it for the 3rd annual Pillsbury Bake Off competition.

Does French silk pie go bad? ›

You can make this pie last even longer by freezing it. This is best done before you add the whipped cream and any other garnish. Wrap the chilled pie tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Let it thaw completely in the refrigerator, and serve cold.

Why put butter in pie filling? ›

A: Dotting the top of a fruit pie filling with butter is an old habit but one that is called for in only about half of the pie recipes out there. Some maintain that the butter is for taste; others claim that it helps the filling set up, particularly when using flour as a thickener.

Does Dairy Queen still have French silk pie? ›

Dairy Queen has discontinued the French Silk Pie Blizzard, a fan favorite.

Why is Boston cream pie called pie instead of cake? ›

A Boston cream pie is a cake with a cream filling. The dessert acquired its name when cakes and pies were baked in the same pans, and the words were used interchangeably. In the late 19th century, this type of cake was variously called a "cream pie", a "chocolate cream pie", or a "custard cake".

What is a pie made of eggs called? ›

Quiche (Southern Egg Pie)

Is it OK to eat raw eggs in a pie? ›

Make sure your holiday treats such as eggnog, cream pies and other dishes containing eggs are safe to eat, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. Eating raw or undercooked eggs is a risk for foodborne illness.

Why is there lard in pie crust? ›

It is more tender, more flaky, and more crisp than any other and doesn't shrink even if baked only an hour after mixing. It also browns less fast than a butter crust, making it convenient for pies that require longer baking.

What is the difference between chocolate cream pie and French silk pie? ›

The Chocolate Cream Pie Is A Pudding Lover's Dream

While the French silk pie's incorporation of whipped cream effectively aerates the filling, the ingredients in chocolate cream pie help it stay thick. Recipes tend to call for only the yolks of eggs for density and use cornstarch as a thickening agent.

What is the difference between chocolate mousse and French silk? ›

Unlike denser chocolate mousse pie, French silk uses whipped eggs to achieve the remarkably light texture of its filling. Whisking the eggs with sugar over a double boiler dissolves the sugar, heats the eggs to a safe eating temperature, and incorporates air bubbles into the mix.

What are the different types of French silk? ›

Chiffon and crepe are a plain weave, giving them more of a matt texture. These two types of silks were particularly popular in the 70s and 80s. When it comes to silk and scarves, there is a focus on: charmeuse, crepe-de-chine, georgette, chiffon, shantung (or raw silk) and silk satin.

What is pie filling made of? ›

Fruit, sugar, cornstarch, acid, extras. These are the only things you need to remember to turn out a perfect pie filling. You've already read our step-by-step guide to the flakiest, butteriest pie crust.

What are the 4 types of pie fillings? ›

There are four types of pies: cream, fruit, custard, and savory.

What is a custard pie filling made of? ›

Plain old custard pie? Well, this recipe may be old (as in classic, treasured, revered), but it's hardly "plain" — unless your definition of plain is a rich/tender filling of cream, eggs, and vanilla, with a hint of nutmeg, nestled in a buttery crust.

What is pie filling enhancer made of? ›

It can only be heated once without breaking down. It needs to be mixed with sugar to help it distribute evenly. Pie filling enhancer is is instant Clear Jel mixed with ascorbic acid and superfine sugar.

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