Brenda Gantt Chocolate Fudge Pie Recipe

Do you crave rich, chocolatey desserts? Then you need to try Brenda Gantt’s decadent chocolate fudge pie recipe! This pie has everything you want in a chocolate dessert – a buttery, crispy crust, ultra thick chocolate filling, gooey fudginess, and topped with crunchy pecans. It’s pure chocolate overload.

I absolutely love Brenda’s chocolate fudge pie. It has become my go-to recipe whenever I need to make a showstopping dessert. The chocolate filling is so smooth, almost like a dense mousse. And small bites are intensely chocolaty and sweet, guaranteed to satisfy any chocolate craving.

Why I Love This Brenda Gantt Chocolate Fudge Pie Recipe

As a food blogger and avid baker, I’m always on the hunt for simple, delicious dessert recipes that will impress my family and friends. This old-fashioned chocolate pie quickly became one of my very favorite recipes to make and share for several reasons:

Celebrates Humble Ingredients

While the end result tastes gourmet, the ingredients are humble staples I almost always have on hand – flour, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, butter. No special equipment or lengthy techniques required.

Foolproof Method

It’s hard to mess this pie up. Just press the buttery crust into the pie plate, mix up the silky fudge filling, and pop it in the oven. Easy as pie – quite literally!

Over-the-Top Chocolate Impact

This pie overflows with rich chocolate flavor between the fudgy filling and crisp, chocolatey crust that gets even better with a generous dusting of powdered sugar. Chocoholics, consider this pie your dream dessert.

How to Make Brenda Gantt Chocolate Fudge Pie

One of the best qualities of Brenda Gantt’s famed recipe is how straightforward it is to make. In less than an hour, you can have this gorgeous, oozing chocolate pie out of the oven. Just gather a few kitchen tools and simple ingredients.

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (kosher salt can be used)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
• little bit of all-purpose flour

For Chocolate Fudge Pie Filling:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 cup pecans, chopped (Whole cooked)

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Pottery pie plate
• Mixing bowl
• Fork
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing spoon
• Oven

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the crust:

Step 1: Dry Mix and Oil

First, add flour, salt, and sugar to the pottery pie plate and mix with a fork. Pour the oil and mix it in with a fork.

Step 2: Incorporate Milk

When it has formed a dough, add the milk. Mix until it forms a dough, adding more flour or milk as needed.

Step 3: Press into Dough

Press the dough into a pottery pie plate with your hands, creating an even crust. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to ensure an even depth.

Step 4: Pre-Bake Crust

Preheat the oven to 325°F and bake the pie crust for about 5 minutes to give it a jump start.

For the Chocolate Fudge Pie Filling:

Step 1: Dry Mix

Mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.

Step 2: Butter Mix

Now, pour melted butter into the mixture and mix thoroughly. 

Step 3: Add Pecans

Add chopped pecans and mix thoroughly.

Prepare The Chocolate Fudge Pie Recipe

Step 1: Fill Crust

After that, Remove the partially baked pie crust from the oven and pour the chocolate fudge filling.

Step 2: Bake Pie

Bake the pie at 325°F for approximately 40 to 45 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean. Keep an eye on it and adjust the time as needed.

Step 3: Cool and Serve

Once baked, let the pie cool for a bit before serving. Optionally, serve the chocolate fudge pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips for Chocolate Pie Perfection

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Brenda Gantt chocolate pie turns out fabulous:

• Use good quality cocoa powder for maximum chocolate flavor
• Chop the pecans to fairly small pieces so they don’t sink in the filling
• Make sure to fully pre-bake the crust before adding filling
• When testing doneness, filling should still jiggle slightly in center
• Be careful not to overbake or the filling can dry out

Serving Suggestions for Chocolate Fudge Pie

Brenda’s chocolate pie is so rich that small slices are very satisfying. Here are some tasty ways to serve it:

• Scoop of vanilla ice cream – the cool creamy ice cream nicely balances the sweet intensity of the chocolate pie
• Fresh raspberries or strawberries – the bright fruit flavors contrast the dense fudge
• Whipped cream – unsweetened whipped cream lightens up the chocolate and adds a silky texture
• Toasted nuts – extra pecans, walnuts or almonds add crunch
• Caramel sauce – melting caramel takes this over the top!
• Strong coffee – serve tiny slivers with a cup of black coffee for an indulgent dessert

Storing Chocolate Fudge Pie

Leftover pie will keep well in the fridge if you are able to resist devouring it all at once! Here are some storage tips:

• Room temp – 1-2 days covered at room temperature
• Fridge – 5 days wrapped in plastic wrap or tucked under a cloche cake dome
• Freezer – 1 month well wrapped; thaw overnight before serving

Reheating Tips

While I prefer my slices at room temp, you can revive a cold leftover slice by heating in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time, or warming up to 350 deg F in the oven for 6-8 minutes.

The filling may become runnier when thawed after freezing. Simply letting it sit out to come to room temp will allow it to re-set before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re new to baking chocolate pies, here are answers to some common questions:

What type of pie pan should I use?

This recipe works best in a standard 9-inch round pie pan about 1 1/2 inches deep. Ceramic or glass is ideal. You can also use a metal pan. Avoid using a springform pan.

What if my pie cracks on top?

Try tenting foil over the pie next time instead of laying it directly on top, which can cause cracks. Also let it cool completely before slicing for cleaner results.

What if my pie crust cracks during pre-baking?

Some minor cracking is normal. Just be sure to press the crust evenly across the bottom and sides first. The filling will cover any cracks.

Why are my pie slices messy?

Be sure to let the pie fully cool first, so the filling can set up. Use a sharp knife to cut slow, even slices. And grease your pie dish for easy removal.

Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of cocoa powder?

For simplicity, this authentic recipe relies on unsweetened cocoa powder to provide intense chocolate flavor. Replacing with bar chocolate is not recommended.

Can I replace pecans with other nuts?

Chopped walnuts or almonds can substitute for pecans if needed. Since pecans are a classic choice, I recommend using them if possible.

How do I get perfect pie slices?

Chill pie completely before cutting so filling sets up. To get clean cuts, use a knife that is very sharp. Wipe knife after each cut.

How do I make ahead for holiday meals?

You can prep the crust and filling each 1-2 days in advance. Wait to bake the pie until right before serving for ultimate freshness.

Conclusion

There you have it! Everything you need to bake, slice, store, and serve the rich chocolate fudge pie of your dreams. This timeless recipe from Brenda Gantt delivers old-fashioned flavor made simple.

If you adore chocolate desserts, put Brenda’s famed chocolate pie on your must-bake list! Trust me, it will become your new favorite.