This creamy, rich and decadent French Silk Pie recipe is a luscious chocolate mousse in a flaky pie crust. The easy to make chocolate cream pie is a delicious recipe that's out of this world. Fashioned after the famous Bakers Square chocolate pie, the copycat recipe is better than the real thing.
Pie is very high on my list of favorite foods. Along with my Fresh Peach Crumb Pie, a French Silk Pie is tops for me.
While I was growing up, my older sister would take me to Bakers Square Restaurant. The chain restaurant was and still is know for its large glass case filled with the most glorious pies.
Sitting center stage is the award winning French Silk pie. It's a chocolate lover's dream. Velvety smooth chocolate silk is topped with fluffy whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings. It's a slice of heaven.
I crafted a homemade version of the Bakers Square French Silk pie recipe over 20 years ago. My copycat recipe of the ultra creamy with deep chocolate flavor is a sinfully rich dessert and a family favorite. A large dollop of fresh whipped cream catapults this pie to the highest heights of piedom.
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why you'll love this recipe
This homemade French Silk Pie recipe is a keeper, and one you'll love for many reasons.
- Easy to make ~ The simple recipe contains only a handful of common ingredients. And no special equipment is needed to make the perfect French Silk pie.
- Made from scratch filling ~ The decadent and luxurious chocolate filling contains only real ingredients. No packaged products are used in the filling.
- Make ahead dessert ~ Skip the last minute prep or baking for this luscious chocolate pie. It's a completely make in advance dessert.
- Delicious and impressive ~ Whenever we have company for dinner or it's a family holiday, this creamy chocolate pie is the one that I serve. It gets rave reviews every time.
ingredients & substitutions
Gather just a few ingredients to make this amazing chocolate silk pie. If substitutes can be made to the recipe, they're listed. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of the ingredients.
- salted butter ~ Have the butter at room temperature so it easily blends with the other ingredients.
- granulated sugar
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- canola oil ~ Substitute vegetable oil or olive oil.
- vanilla extract
- large eggs ~ My recipe uses raw eggs in the filling. For most, this isn't an issue. But very young and old, pregnant, or people with compromised immune systems will want to skip this pie. To be on the safe side, use pasteurized eggs in the recipe. They're available at many grocery stores.
- 9 inch baked pie crust ~ My go-to homemade pie crust recipe is one from King Arthur Baking. You can substitute a refrigerated or frozen packaged pie crust to save time.
- heavy cream ~ Homemade unsweetened whipped cream made with heavy cream is my first choice for this pie. But a good quality store bought version can be substituted.
recipe details
Combine the simple ingredients using everyday kitchen tools to make this delicious French Silk pie. This is a brief overview of the recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete instructions and a step by step video.
1. Mix butter and sugar with a whisk attachment until light a creamy.
2. Add cocoa powder, canola oil and vanilla extract. Beat until combined, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Add eggs and beat for about 3 minutes.
4. The chocolate filling should be light and fluffy.
5. Use a baked homemade or store-bought pie crust.
6. Fill a cooled pie crust with the chocolate filling.
7. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks. Dollop the homemade whipped cream on top the pie. Dust with cocoa powder.
expert tip
Bake and cool the pie crust before making the chocolate mixture. A warm crust will melt the filling causing it to lose its fluffy texture.
As the creamy chocolate filling is luscious and sweet, I recommend using unsweetened whipped cream as a topper. It offsets the the pie's rich flavor.
recommended equipment
Having the right equipment can make cooking and baking a breeze. I recommend the following kitchen utensils and equipment for this recipe.
- stand mixer or hand mixer
- measuring cups
- metal measuring spoons
- spatula
- 9 inch glass pie plate
frequently asked questions
Because of the filling. It has a silky, smooth and fluffy texture that's like a mousse.
My chocolate French Silk pie recipe contains raw eggs. Getting sick from eating raw eggs that are stored properly under refrigeration is rare. Take an extra precaution and use pasteurized eggs in the pie. But the very young and the old, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems should skip this recipe.
Definitely! But I recommend using a traditional pie crust. A crisp, flaky and mild tasting pie crust counterbalances the rich and decadent chocolate filling. It's the perfect flavor combination.
Store the pie and whipped cream separately in the refrigerator. Store the whipped cream in an airtight container up to 3-4 days. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
more chocolate recipes
If you make my copycat Bakers Square French silk pie recipe, be sure to give it a rating and/or comment below. Take a photo and tag @amycaseycooks on Instagram. Thank you!
Recipe
Copycat French Silk Pie (Better Than Bakers Square)
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup salted butter softened
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus more for serving
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 9 inch baked pie crust, cooled
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream or store bought whipped cream
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar: To a large bowl, add the sugar and butter. A stand mixer (with a whisk attachment) or a handheld mixer work best for this recipe. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add ingredients: Add the cocoa powder, canola oil and vanilla. Beat until thoroughly combined, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add eggs: Add the eggs and beat until combined. Scrape the sides of bowl as needed. Beat for an additional 3 minutes or until the chocolate and egg mixture is fluffy and light.
- Fill pie crust: Transfer the filling to the cooled pie crust. Evenly spread the mixture for the crust is completely filled.
- Refrigerate pie: Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours.
- Make whipped cream: Add the heavy whipping cream to bowl. Beat at medium high speed until medium to stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
- Finish pie: Top the pie with the whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.
- Serve: Cut into slices and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Sally T Werntz says
Brought back fond memories of Baker Square! Really easy and delicious.
Amy Casey says
Yea! It was always fun to go to Bakers Square for a slice of pie. I'm so glad you enjoyed my recipe.
Sharon says
I love this recipe! I forgot to leave a glowing 5-star rating!
Amy Casey says
Thanks so much Sharon! I appreciate you rating 🙂
Sharon says
I had a piece of French silk pie many years ago and have been looking for a recipe that replicated the chocolatey goodness forever. This is it! I've already made two. One of my favorite recipes. Thank you so much for sharing!
Amy Casey says
I love to hear that Sharon! My family loves this creamy dreamy chocolate pie and it's a must at every holiday.
Laurie says
This is my "go to" recipe when I bring dessert to any function! I am entering it in the county fair this weekend, wish me luck!!
Amy Casey says
I love to hear that Laurie! And how awesome that you're entering it in the county fair. Make sure to snap a photo and let me know how you do. Good luck!
Mary Ann Ryan says
Hey Amy. Can you bring one of those Silk Pies to Sparta. It look amazing.
Amy Casey says
Thanks Mary Ann! The flaky crust and creamy chocolate filling are a perfect combination!