Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s both decadent and delightfully fruity, look no further than this Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe. It combines the rich, velvety texture of creamy chocolate and cream cheese layers with the bright, juicy burst of cherry pie filling, all nestled inside a crisp chocolate crust. This pie is a stunning balance of flavors and textures that feels indulgent yet refreshingly light, perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself on a cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe lies in its simplicity and quality of ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, from the chocolate crust providing a bittersweet base to the sweet cherry filling adding a pop of color and tartness. Together, these ingredients create a luscious pie that’s easy to assemble and irresistibly flavorful.
- Chocolate pie crust (9-inch): A rich, chocolatey foundation that adds depth and crunch.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Creates a smooth, creamy filling with a slight tang.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the cream cheese mixture without graininess.
- Cherry pie filling (21 oz can): Adds vibrant color and a luscious, fruity kick.
- Cool Whip (8 oz): Lightens the filling, making it fluffy and airy.
- Semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (1½ cups, divided): Add bursts of chocolate throughout and a lovely texture contrast.
- Maraschino cherries (optional): For garnish and an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
- Extra Cool Whip: For topping just before serving to make it look irresistible.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the cream layer
Start by beating the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and completely smooth. This is the base that gives your pie a luscious and velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 2: Incorporate cherry filling
Gently fold in the cherry pie filling into your cream cheese mixture. This step adds that beautiful ruby-red color and a tangy burst of flavor that perfectly complements the richness of the cream layer.
Step 3: Combine Cool Whip
Next, fold in the Cool Whip carefully. This keeps the filling light and airy while maintaining a creamy consistency. This fluffy addition ensures your pie isn’t too dense but perfectly balanced in texture.
Step 4: Add chocolate chips
Mix in 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the filling. These little chocolate gems will surprise your taste buds with bursts of sweetness and a slightly crunchy bite, elevating the pie to another level.
Step 5: Fill the crust
Spread the luscious filling into the prepared chocolate pie crust and smooth the surface with a spatula. Ensuring an even layer will make every slice picture-perfect and delicious from edge to edge.
Step 6: Set the pie
Refrigerate the pie for 3 to 4 hours. This chilling time allows the filling to firm up and the flavors to meld beautifully, so patience here rewards you with a better texture and taste.
Step 7: Decorate the pie
Just before serving, dollop extra Cool Whip on top, sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips generously, and add a few maraschino cherries for that classic cherry pie finish. Presentation is key, and these final touches make your Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe a showstopper.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Extra Cool Whip and chocolate chips bring a final flair, while maraschino cherries add pops of color and sweetness that tie the whole dessert together. These garnishes invite everyone to dive in eagerly.
Side Dishes
To elevate your gathering, serve this pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Fresh berries or a light espresso make excellent companions, balancing the pie’s sweetness with complementary textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual pie slices in clear dessert cups layered with whipped cream and extra cherries for a pretty parfait look. Or add edible gold flakes or shaved chocolate on top to impress guests with an elegant, gourmet touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe chilled in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keeping it cold ensures the filling remains firm and creamy, preserving that incredible texture and rich flavor.
Freezing
This pie doesn’t freeze well due to the whipped topping and cream cheese filling, which can separate upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated to maintain its lusciousness.
Reheating
Since this pie is served cold, reheating isn’t necessary. Simply bring slices out of the fridge a few minutes before serving to take the chill off and enhance the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use a regular pie crust instead of a chocolate one?
Absolutely! While the chocolate crust adds a wonderful depth to the pie, you can use a regular crust if you prefer a more neutral base or want to experiment with flavors. Just keep in mind that the chocolate crust complements the filling beautifully.
Is there a substitute for Cool Whip?
You can use homemade whipped cream or any whipped topping of your choice. Just be sure whatever you use can fold gently into the cream cheese mixture to maintain that light, airy texture.
Can I make this pie vegan or dairy-free?
The traditional recipe uses cream cheese and Cool Whip, but you can experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and coconut-based whipped toppings. The cherry pie filling is generally vegan, but check labels to be sure.
How far in advance can I prepare the pie?
This Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe is perfect to make a day ahead. It needs at least 3 to 4 hours to set in the fridge, so preparing it the day before helps the flavors meld wonderfully.
Can fresh cherries be used instead of canned filling?
You can use fresh cherries, but you’ll need to cook them down with sugar and a thickener like cornstarch to mimic the texture and sweetness of canned cherry pie filling. This yields a fresher yet still luscious taste.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe is one of those desserts that feels both classic and special at the same time. Its mix of creamy texture, rich chocolate, and bright cherries offers a truly unforgettable flavor experience. If you want to impress friends or treat yourself, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this pie a try—you’re in for a deliciously satisfying reward.
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Chocolate Cherry Pie Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Chocolate Cherry Pie is a no-bake, creamy dessert featuring a rich chocolate crust filled with a smooth blend of cream cheese, powdered sugar, sweet cherry pie filling, and Cool Whip. Topped with mini chocolate chips and optional maraschino cherries, it’s an easy and delightful treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 (9-inch) chocolate pie crust
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 1½ cups semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, divided
Toppings (Optional)
- Maraschino cherries
- Extra Cool Whip
- Remaining mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the cream layer: Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate cherry filling: Gently fold in the cherry pie filling into the cream cheese mixture to distribute the cherries evenly without breaking them down too much.
- Combine Cool Whip: Carefully fold in the Cool Whip until the filling is smooth and well combined, maintaining a light texture.
- Add chocolate chips: Stir in 1 cup of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips evenly throughout the filling for added texture and chocolate flavor.
- Fill the crust: Spread the prepared filling mixture evenly into the 9-inch chocolate pie crust, smoothing the top for a neat appearance.
- Set the pie: Refrigerate the pie for 3 to 4 hours to allow it to set firmly and enhance the flavors.
- Decorate the pie: Before serving, top the pie with extra Cool Whip, the remaining mini chocolate chips, and optional maraschino cherries for a decorative and delicious finish.
Notes
- This pie requires no baking, making it a quick and easy dessert option.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Maraschino cherries add a pop of color and extra sweetness but are optional.
- For a firmer crust, prebake your chocolate pie crust according to package instructions before adding the filling.
- Refrigeration time is essential for the pie to set properly.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
