French Silk Pie

French Silk Pie

Description

French Silk Pie is a luxuriously smooth, rich, and chocolatey dessert with a buttery, flaky crust, a silky chocolate filling, and a crown of fluffy whipped cream. Despite its fancy name, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home and will wow any chocolate lover.

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust (Homemade or Store-Bought)

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

• 3–4 tablespoons ice water

(Or use 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust.)

For the Chocolate Filling

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 4 large eggs (pasteurized, see note)

For the Whipped Cream Topping

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional Garnish

• Chocolate curls or shavings

Instructions

1. Make & Bake the Pie Crust

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.

2. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing just until dough holds together.

4. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.

5. Roll out and fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp edges.

6. Line with parchment paper, fill with pie weights, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.

7. Remove weights and parchment, bake an additional 10 minutes, or until golden. Let cool completely.

2. Make the Chocolate Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.

2. Add melted, cooled chocolate and vanilla, beating until fully combined.

3. Add eggs one at a time, beating for 5 minutes after each addition. The mixture should be smooth, silky, and thick.

(Note: Use pasteurized eggs since this filling is not baked.)

3. Assemble the Pie

1. Spread chocolate filling evenly into the cooled crust.

2. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until firm.

4. Make the Whipped Cream Topping

1. Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form.

2. Spread or pipe over chilled pie.

5. Garnish & Serve

• Sprinkle with chocolate curls or shavings before serving.

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (medium & large)

• Hand mixer or stand mixer

• Whisk

• Spatula

• Rolling pin (if making crust from scratch)

• 9-inch pie dish

• Parchment paper & pie weights

• Measuring cups & spoons

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Chill Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes

Serving Size: 8 slices

French Silk Pie

French Silk Pie is a luxuriously smooth, rich, and chocolatey dessert with a buttery, flaky crust, a silky chocolate filling, and a crown of fluffy whipped cream. Despite its fancy name, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home and will wow any chocolate lover.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:30 minutes mins

Cook Time:25 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (medium & large)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Rolling pin (if making crust from scratch)
• 9-inch pie dish
• Parchment paper & pie weights
• Measuring cups & spoons

Ingredients

• For the Pie Crust Homemade or Store-Bought
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
• 3 –4 tablespoons ice water
• Or use 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust.
• For the Chocolate Filling
• 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate melted and cooled
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs pasteurized, see note
• For the Whipped Cream Topping
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Optional Garnish
• Chocolate curls or shavings

Instructions

• Make & Bake the Pie Crust
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
• Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing just until dough holds together.
• Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
• Roll out and fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp edges.
• Line with parchment paper, fill with pie weights, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
• Remove weights and parchment, bake an additional 10 minutes, or until golden. Let cool completely.
• Make the Chocolate Filling
• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
• Add melted, cooled chocolate and vanilla, beating until fully combined.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating for 5 minutes after each addition. The mixture should be smooth, silky, and thick.
• (Note: Use pasteurized eggs since this filling is not baked.)
• Assemble the Pie
• Spread chocolate filling evenly into the cooled crust.
• Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until firm.
• Make the Whipped Cream Topping
• Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form.
• Spread or pipe over chilled pie.
• Garnish & Serve
• Sprinkle with chocolate curls or shavings before serving.

Servings: 8 slices

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of homemade?
   Yes, you can use a pre-baked 9-inch pie crust to save time.

2. Why do I need pasteurized eggs?
   French Silk Pie filling is not baked, so pasteurized eggs reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

3. Can I use milk chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate?
   You can, but reduce the sugar slightly to avoid an overly sweet filling.

4. How do I make the filling extra smooth?
   Beat each egg for a full 5 minutes before adding the next to incorporate air and create a silky texture.

5. Can I make this pie ahead of time?
   Yes, it can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept refrigerated until serving.

6. Why does my filling seem grainy?
   The sugar may not have dissolved completely. Beating thoroughly helps the sugar blend smoothly into the butter.

7. Can I freeze French Silk Pie?
   Yes, but it’s best without the whipped cream topping. Freeze the pie wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

8. How long should I chill the pie before serving?
   At least 4 hours, but overnight chilling improves texture and flavor.

9. Can I make this pie gluten-free?
   Yes, simply use a gluten-free pie crust. The filling is naturally gluten-free.

10. What can I use instead of chocolate curls for garnish?
    You can dust the top with cocoa powder, sprinkle mini chocolate chips, or drizzle melted chocolate.

How To Store French Silk Pie

• In the Refrigerator

  • Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

  • Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.

• In the Freezer

  • For best results, freeze the pie without the whipped cream topping.

  • Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil.

  • Freeze for up to 2 months.

  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding whipped cream and serving.

• Whipped Cream Topping Storage

  • If storing leftovers, whipped cream can deflate over time. Freshly whip a new batch for best presentation.