It’s National Chocolate Day, so we whipped up some Mini Chocolate Chess Pies.
One of my husband’s favourite desserts is Chocolate Chess Pie. Hubby mentioned recently that I haven’t been baking as much as when we first started dating. Before we got married, I baked him gourmet cheesecakes regularly. Now, he only gets homemade gourmet cheesecake on his birthday or on holidays.
Why is it called Chocolate Chess Pie? 
To this day, I still do not have a clue why it’s called a chess pie. I was introduced to Chocolate Chess Pie ten years ago, when my Mother-in-law made it for dessert. The recipe I make seems to be almost like my Mother-in-law’s. Hubby says mine aren’t as sweet, but that’s because Little One isn’t a fan of overly sweet sweets. I also use dark chocola
I did manage to find this online (thanks to Google search):
Chess pies are a Southern specialty that has a simple filling of eggs, sugar, butter, and a small amount of flour. ome recipes include cornmeal and others are made with vinegar. Flavorings, such as vanilla, lemon juice, or chocolate are also added to vary the basic recipe.
The origin of the name, Chess Pie, is uncertain, but there are plenty of guesses and a bit of folklore surrounding the name. The most probable explanation is that since the English lemon curd pie filling is very close to lemon chess pie, and they believe the word “chess” is an Americanization of the English word “cheese,” referring to curd pie. Basically the Chess Pie is a cheese-less cheesecake.
(Source: What’s Cooking America)
Hubby loves pies of all kinds. If you ask him what his favourite pie is, he would tell you blueberry, apple, strawberry-rhubarb, custard, key lime, lemon meringue, coconut cream, banana cream, AND chocolate chess! Chocolate chess is in his top three, and because it’s National Chocolate Day, mini chocolate chess pies for dessert!
- 3 eggs
- 1 sm. can evaporated milk
- 3 tbsp. cocoa
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1½ c. sugar
- 4 tablespoons Gay Lea butter
- 20 unbaked tart shells or pie pastry for a double crust pie that you will cut out for a 20 tarts (your favourite homemade pastry recipe or store-bought/pre-made). I usually make my own pie crust, but for this recipe, I used store-bought.
- BE SURE TO MIX AS FOLLOWS:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Beat eggs.
- Add 1 cup sugar and then add milk. Mix well.
- Mix cocoa with other ½ cup sugar.
- Add to egg mixture and mix well.
- Melt butter and mix with above. Add vanilla.
- Pour in unbaked tart shells, about ¾ full.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Let cool until the chocolate filling has set.
I normally make Chocolate Chess Pie and not Mini Chocolate Chess Pies, but thought they’d maybe last longer in tart form. An entire pie seems to disappear too quickly in this house. The chocolate filling is ooey gooey, and almost pudding-like. You know, kind of like a super moist brownie that’s melt-y in the middle! Just how I like it!
Let me know if you try making these Mini Chocolate Chess Pies with your little ones. You’ll see why they will quickly become a family favourite in your house!
Do these need to be refrigerated after baking?
Do they freeze well?
Hi Cassidy! Sorry about that! That would be a 5oz can. 😉
Just curious as to what is meant by a small can of evaporated milk? like how many ounces would you recommend?
Oh these look so delicious
These look and sound delish thanks for sharing , i am def gonna make them 🙂
These looks so yummy a must try thanks so much for all the great recipes 🙂
These look amazing and the recipe seems very simple to follow – I’ll have to give it a try! How do you store them afterward? Just wondering if it’s best to put them in the refrigerator or to keep them at room temperature (although, I’m sure they wouldn’t last very long in this house!!).
These sound so simple and yet so tasty. We are going to give this one a try.
Making Butter Tarts later today. I have procrastinated enough and I have got to get them done. That is what drew me to this recipe. I love brownies and putting that kind of mix into a pie crust sounds perfect to me. I hope to pin this for a later try.
I bet these are delish!! Looks like a great tart I could whip up over the holidays!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Yum, these tarts sound delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Holy crap I love these! I saved it to pinterest, these would be wonderful at our Christmas get together!
I have heard of chess pie before but wasn’t sure how it is prepared. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It sounds so delicious!
im saving this recipe ! I have to make it for my hubby , looks easy enough but he will think I spent forever making it !! ha ha ha 🙂 looks delish !
Hello Im looking to connect with people living on Manitoulin Island. I bought a hobby farm that we are cleaning and slowly renovating. I am hopeful to move in ASAP and start an island life.
Thank you for your time. Wishing you a wonderful day.
Sincerely
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for reaching out! So excited to hear you bought a hobby farm on the Island! Looking forward to you becoming part of the community! The Island is a wonderful place to live! Which part of the Island are you moving to? You can connect with me at christine @ lifeonmanitoulin dot com 🙂 Happy Thursday! Have a great day!
Hi Christine.Thanks for your reply and your email. I actually thought I was sending an email lol but it turned out to be a comment. I’m somewhere in Tehkummah. Look forward to connecting….talk soon. ~E~
I’m not a fan of chocolate but these look similar to a butter tart and I would definitely have to try one. Yum!
They’re not too sweet, which I like! Mmmm…Jason, the mere mention of butter tarts makes me want to have one now! LOL! Thanks!
I am going to make these! Looks so good and those photos are beautiful!!
Thanks so much, Sheryl! Please let me know how they turn out!! 🙂