Chocolate Cherry Pie

When you need to prep an easy dessert ahead of time, this chocolate cherry pie is the perfect fit. With a homemade buttery crust and a smooth chocolate and cherry filling, this pie recipe comes together in a few simple steps.

Bake the crust and let it cool, then combine condensed milk, chocolate chips and cherry pie filling on the stove. Refrigerate the pie overnight (for the best results), top it with whipped cream and extra cherries, and you have a unique chocolate and cherry dessert for potlucks, parties and more.

Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Pie

• All-purpose flour: The easy crust for this pie starts with a base of all-purpose flour for structure.
• Granulated sugar: Sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the crust.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the flavors in the crust and the filling.
• Butter: Melted butter provides moisture and flavor in the crust, and it helps the dry ingredients bind together.
• Sweetened condensed milk: A can of sweetened condensed milk is key to achieving proper texture and consistency in the no-bake cherry chocolate pie filling.
• Chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate chips are the best type of chocolate for the pie filling. If you don’t have semisweet chocolate chips, feel free to use milk chocolate instead, but it will be sweeter.
• Cherry pie filling: A can of cherry pie filling is the secret to this pie’s success. It’s stirred into the chocolate filling for an ideal flavor combination.
• Almond extract: Enhance the pie filling with a touch of almond extract. If you don’t have almond extract, use vanilla extract or feel free to omit it.
• Whipped cream and maraschino cherries: Recipe contributor Maxine Smith of Owanka, South Dakota, garnishes the top with store-bought or homemade whipped cream and maraschino cherries, but they’re optional.

Directions

Step 1: Make the crust

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar and salt. Stir in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: To press the mixture firmly into the pie plate, use the bottom of a measuring cup to press and smooth the crust mixture before chilling and baking.

Step 2: Bake and cool the crust

Bake the crust until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

Step 3: Prep the filling

In a saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips and salt.

Cook and stir over low heat until the chocolate melts. Stir in the pie filling and almond extract.

Step 4: Assemble and chill

Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Chill the pie for four to five hours, or overnight, until set. If desired, top with whipped cream and cherries before serving.

Chocolate Cherry Pie Variations

• Top with more chocolate: Consider garnishing this cherry pie with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips. Alternatively, melt additional chocolate chips and drizzle the melted chocolate over the top.
• Try another crust: The chocolate cherry filling for this pie sits in a simple butter crust, but there are many other crumb crust options to try. Opt for extra chocolate with a chocolate cookie crumb crust or use a graham cracker crust.
• Garnish with nuts: Add a crunchy topping to finish off this chocolate and cherry pie recipe. Choose chopped pistachios or hazelnuts for a flavorful twist.

How to Store Chocolate Cherry Pie

Store chocolate cherry pie in the refrigerator for up to three days. After that, the crust might get soggy. Keep it covered or in an airtight container.

Chocolate Cherry Pie Tips

Can I use chopped chocolate to make a chocolate cherry pie?

Chocolate chips are readily available and easy to use in the no-bake chocolate cherry pie filling, but you can use semisweet baking chocolate. Use the same amount in ounces, but chop the chocolate into small pieces before incorporating it into the filling mixture.

Can I use homemade cherry pie filling for chocolate cherry pie?

If you have homemade cherry pie filling on hand, use it instead of a store-bought option. Simply swap in the same amount as called for on the ingredients list.

What if my pie filling doesn’t set?

The key to a perfectly set pie is to let it chill in the refrigerator. Leave the pie in the fridge for at least four hours. If it hasn’t set yet, let it chill until fully set.

How do you get a clean slice of chocolate cherry pie?

The key to getting clean slices of chocolate cherry pie is to start with a very cold, set pie. Then, use a sharp knife for each cut. Make cuts for the first two slices, wiping the knife clean with a cloth between each slice. Remove your first slice, and then continue cutting the pie for additional servings as needed.