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No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie

BY:

Rachel


Easy No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie filled with layers of simple graham cracker crust, rich chocolate ganache and thick, creamy chocolate whipped cream mousse. This easy chocolate dessert whips up in 5 minutes or less.

Easy 5-Ingredient Double Chocolate Cream Pie | Kitchen Cents

Do you love chocolate?

Are you looking for a fast easy no-bake treat everyone will love?

I’m a chocolate lover through and through. Combine the love of chocolate with an obsession for all things light, airy, and creamy like this Easy No-Bake Lemon Cream Pie or this Easy Raspberry Mousse and you get a rich, creamy, EASY chocolate cream pie.

This no-bake chocolate cream pie is so easy to make with only 5 ingredients.  You can have it make in 5 minutes and ready to eat in about 30 minutes. 

Easy 5-Ingredient Double Chocolate Cream Pie | Kitchen Cents

ONLY 5 INGREDIENTS:

The ingredients needed for this no-bake chocolate cream pie are so simple, you may already have them on hand.  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • heavy whipping cream
  • chocolate (semi-sweet or milk, whichever you prefer)
  • cocoa powder
  • powdered sugar
  • graham cracker crust (homemade or store-bought)

5-ingredients! That’s it. 

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

Chocolate ganache is easy to make and only takes 2 ingredients–chocolate and cream. Chocolate ganache is an easy way to add chocolate decadents to many desserts like these Lemon Eclairs or this Raspberry Filled Chocolate Mousse Cake.

The hardness or firm texture of chocolate ganache can be made very soft or very firm. This will depend on what you intend to use it for and how soft you want it when it sets.

FOR EXAMPLE…

If making a simple homemade chocolate truffle you would add less cream to the mixture so when the chocolate ganache set, it would hold its shape but still be soft and give that melt-in-your-mouth feeling when eaten. If making a drizzle for ice cream you may add more cream to give the ganache a thinner more runny texture once it cooled, like a chocolate sauce.

SOFT BUT NOT OOZING FOR THIS PIE!

For this pie we’re going for something that will be very soft but not runny at about 65°F and fully set but soft at 40°F. This pie will be served chilled (refrigerated).

There are multiple methods to make chocolate ganache including a water bath, scalding cream then pouring it over room temperature chocolate and letting stand, and microwaving to heat. I typically go with microwaving because it uses less dishes and is quick.

To make chocolate ganache in the microwave. Place your chocolate pieces or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Add cream. Microwave for 20-30 seconds at a time stirring in between. When the chocolate and cream are hot to the touch, stop heating and stir. It can take up to a few minutes to get the cream to fully incorporate into the chocolate. It will go from chunky and light to dark and smooth. When ready there should be no more streaks of cream.

Once the cream is fully incorporated and the chocolate ganache has a rich, smooth chocolate look, pour it into the bottom of the graham cracker crust.

Easy 5-Ingredient Double Chocolate Cream Pie | Kitchen Cents

Pop the crust and ganache in the freezer for 10-20 minutes while you whip up the chocolate mousse. The colder temperature will help the ganache set quicker and speed up total time it takes to make this delicious double chocolate cream pie.

DO I HAVE TO USE HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM FOR THIS CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE?

Yes.  I highly recommend using HEAVY whipping cream in this recipe.  Heavy whipping cream has a higher fat content which allows for a stiffer, more stable whip.  It helps this pie maintain its shape after being cut rather than oozing everywhere.

PRO TIP:  When making whipped cream, whip the cream in a cold (chilled) bowl.  To chill the bowl, pop it in the fridge or freezer 20-30 minutes before you plan to whip the cream.  This helps the cream stay cold during the whipping process which helps the cream whip easier, quicker and to its full potential.

Easy 5-Ingredient Double Chocolate Cream Pie | Kitchen Cents

LOOKING FOR A GREAT SUMMER TREAT?

If you are looking for a delicious, refreshing, frozen treat to beat the heat, try this double chocolate cream pie FROZEN!  It’s like a chocolate ice cream pie and it’s fantastic!

If you prefer to stick with traditional frozen treats, these popsicles and frozen treats are also easy, refreshing and perfect for summer!

Easy 5-Ingredient Double Chocolate Cream Pie | Kitchen Cents

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHOCOLATE DESSERT?

Printable Recipe for No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie:

Here’s the full printable recipe. I hope you love this pie as much as we did! Enjoy!

Easy 5-Ingredient Double Chocolate Cream Pie | Kitchen Cents

Easy Double Chocolate Cream Pie

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

A graham cracker crust topped with rich chocolate ganache and creamy chocolate whipped cream mousse. An EASY 5-Minute dessert!

Ingredients

  • 9 inch graham cracker crust, store-bought or homemade

Ganache Layer:

  • 6 oz chocolate chips, milk or semi-sweet whichever you prefer
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream (regular or heavy whipping cream)

Chocolate Mousse Layer:

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (higher fat content compared to regular whipping cream)
  • 1/4-1/3 cup cocoa powder, dutch preferred sifted, use 1/3 cup for dark chocolate flavor
  • 1/4-1/2 cup powdered sugar use a 1/4 cup for dark chocolate flavor
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract optional

Instructions

Chocolate Ganache:

  1. In a microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips and 1/2 cup whipping cream. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for another 15-30 seconds and stir until the melted chocolate is completely mixed in with the cream. This may take up to a minute or two of stirring to combine completely.
  2. Pour ganache into bottom of graham cracker crust.
  3. Place in fridge or freezer to chill while you whip the chocolate mousse.

Chocolate Whipped Cream Mousse:

  1. In a chilled mixing bowl, begin whipping heavy whipping cream. Whip until frothy and slightly thicken.
  2. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder (sifted). Carefully mix until soft peaks form.
  3. Add almond extract if desired.
  4. Whip until stiff peaks form.
  5. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Once the ganache has become more firm, carefully add mousse to the top. Smooth. If desired add dollops of whipped cream and cookies, chocolate shavings to the top as a garnish.

9 thoughts on “No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie”

  1. If you add crushed Oreos into the mousse, it’s really lovely! And you can also make an easy crust out of crushed Oreos and butter for your pie crust. Sprinkle a few crushed Oreos on top the pie or surround whole Oreos at the sides of it for serving! Really good! As a matter of fact you use any sandwich cookie flavors you like! Instead of cocoa in the heavy cream for your pie filling, you can add lemon zest and a touch of lemon cordial ( for an adult pie), or crushed almonds with almond flavorings, …the list is endless! Really versatile! And the crust to match whatever the filling is!

    Reply
  2. I’m curious if I use heavy whipping cream for making the ganache and the mousse middle?
    I’m confused because you used the words ‘whipping cream’ for mousse and ‘cream’ for ganache in recipe? Thank you for clarifying 🙂

    Reply
    • Thank you for this question. I will clarify on the recipe card. Heavy whipping cream has a higher fat content than whipping cream. It is important to use heavy whipping cream when making the mousse as it will provide a stiffer more stable mousse. The ganache can be made with heavy whipping cream (if that’s what you have on hand) or regular whipping cream “cream.” The fat content in the ganache isn’t as critical as it is when making mousse.

      Reply

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