The pies were either topped with toasted meringue or freshly whipped cream.
The crust was either made with graham crackers baked or regular pie crust and now I even use several different kinds of our favorite crushed cookie crumbs.
Any way you prefer your pie toppings, with cream or toasted meringue, this homemade chocolate pudding is divine, and using mom's Lemon Meringue Pie (another classic favorite) recipe for the meringue becomes perfection.
These pie styles are both vintage recipes and certainly, classics that bring back fond memories of my childhood!
We love all kinds of cream pies, mason jar pies and make several kinds of flavors around the holiday, apple, fresh pineapple pie, and pumpkin are more favorites!
Back in the 1960s, we looked forward to when mom made this pie from scratch, it sure was beyond special.
Sure this may be a little time-consuming but this easy-to-follow recipe is the best ever and the pie is totally worth every minute it takes.
Just choose the crust and topping styles you like, and you're off to a good old-fashioned chocolate cream or chocolate meringue fabulous pie.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for instructions on how to make this simple vintage chocolate cream pie.
Old Fashioned Pie Recipes
I remember growing up we had many versions of this pie.
You may remember this kind of pie even being called icebox cake because it was layered with graham crackers, whipped cream, and pudding and easy to whip up.
This pie has all the same ingredients unless you use a regular pie crust and top it with meringue which mom would say it was a Southern Style Pie.
Either way, chocolate pudding was a childhood favorite dessert served plain in a cup or in a pie and became a classic favorite pie and still is.
Suggestions
- Crust alternatives cinnamon graham crackers, Oreo cookies, nutter butter, vanilla wafers, or any shortbread cookies)
- Regular Pie Crust homemade or store-bought
- Homemade chocolate pudding or your favorite cooked store-bought
- Whipped cream toppings for old-fashioned flavors or Southern Style with toasted meringue
- Crumbs on top of the pie or shaved chocolate
- Crumbled favorite cookies on top of the whipped cream
Ingredients You Will Need to Make this Pie
check the recipes for homemade ingredients and exact measurements
- Your Favorite chocolate pudding recipe or store-bought cooked type
- Graham crackers, cookies or pie crust 9 inch
- Whipping cream or Egg whites
- Sugar
Pin for later Classic Chocolate Cream Pie
Grandma's Rice Pudding
Old Fashioned Bread Pudding
Chocolate Filled Pusties
Classic Chocolate Cream Pie
Yield: 8
prep time: 7 Mcook time: 1 hourtotal time: 1 H & 7 M
This Chocolate Cream Pie in an old fashioned pie with a baked graham crust and homemade chocolate pudding then topped with real whipped cream. This vintage recipe is from the 1960s. Mom made this both ways with regular pie crust or graham crust. She also used either eggs white meringue for the topping or whipped cream.
ingredients:
- Crust:
- 2 cups graham crackers crumbs put through a food processor until fine crumbs appear ( The crust can also be made with Oreo cookies, nutter butter, vanilla wafers or any other cookies you love) Reserve 1/2 cup crumbs for the top of the pie if using whipped cream topping.
- Note: regular pie crust recipe can be used instead of graham crackers. Make pastry-style regular pie crust 9-inches deep-dish
- 2 tablespoons sugar (omit sugar if using cream-filled cookies or regular pie crust recipe)
- 6 tablespoons butter melted (only used for graham crackers and cookie crumbs)
- Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe ( click the link for chocolate pudding)
- or use a package of cooked pudding you like
- Whipping Cream or Toasted Meringue Egg White Topping
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar or more to taste
- Garnish Optional: Chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips or cookie crumbs
instructions:
How to cook Vintage Chocolate Cream Pie
- For the Pudding:
- Cook the homemade recipe for chocolate pudding directed or use your favorite store-bought brand.
- Cool and pour into the cooled crust of choice.
- Assembling the Chocolate Cream Pie:
- Pour the pudding into the pie shell.
- Top with whipped cream or meringue that has been toasted.
- If using whipped cream, sprinkle top with reserved crumbs or chocolate shavings.
- Chill before serving at least 1 hour to ensure the pudding is set and chilled.
- For the Crust:
- If using the graham crackers or vanilla wafers, place in a bowl with melted butter and sugar.
- Press into a 9-inch deep pie plate and pack the crumbs down.
- Bake 7 minutes at 375 degrees cool completely before filling.
- Note: If using cookies, just add the melted butter, press down into the pie plate, no cooking is necessary.
- Whipped Cream Topping:
- In a chilled bowl add the whipping cream.
- Using an electric mixer whip the cream adding sugar a little at a time until medium peaks occur, do not overbeat. Spread over cooled pudding.
- For the Meringue Follows These Instructions
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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2020.
