Chocolate Velvet Pie with Meringue Crust
This exquisite, out-of-the-ordinary Chocolate Velvet Pie with Meringue Crust is perfect for any time you have a chocolate craving! A meringue shell is topped with incredibly rich, dreamy chocolate whipped cream and chocolate shards.
This is a Chocolate Pie Recipe that melts in your mouth and is easy enough for a family dinner, but can be dressed up for a holiday dessert!
Why You Must Make
- Minimal ingredients are needed to whip up this exquisite chocolate meringue pie.
- This luscious dessert starts with a slow-cooked meringue pie crust, then is topped with a fluffy mound of chocolate and coffee-infused whipped cream.
- Dreamy is an understatement!
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Table Salt, Sugar
- Egg Whites – At room temperature; The bowl and beaters must be free of any egg yolk or grease or they will not whip properly. Run the mixing bowl through the dishwasher if unsure.
- Cream of Tartar – Helps to stabilize the whipped egg whites
- Superfine Sugar – Dominos is the brand I find in the baking aisle with the other sugars.
- Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract, never artificially flavored.
- Semisweet chocolate – Chopped; I use the Ghirardelli brand.
- Brewed Coffee – I am not a coffee drinker so I mix instant coffee in hot water.
- Heavy Cream – 32% butterfat
- Grated chocolate, chocolate curls or chocolate shards -to garnish, optional
Expert Tips
If you’ve ever eaten a homemade meringue cookie, you know the texture can be crisp with a soft, chewy middle. That’s what you’ll find with a meringue crust. Here are a few tips to make your crust successful when making this chocolate velvet pie.
- PRO-Tip: Separate the egg whites from the yolks while the eggs are cold. Make sure to separate the eggs one at a time with the white in one bowl and the yolk in another, then transfer the whites to a larger bowl.
- The reason for the 3 bowl technique is so that if one yolk breaks during the separating process, you won’t contaminate the other egg whites.
- PRO-Tip: Make sure all bowls and beaters are scrupulously clean of all grease. A speck of grease, fat, or oil will inhibit the eggs from whipping properly. Egg yolks contain fat, so that is why you don’t want a yolk breaking into your whites.
- If you’re wondering why cream of tartar is an ingredient, it’s because it helps stabilize the egg whites when they’re beaten. The cream of tartar doesn’t expire, so make sure to have some on hand.
- PRO-Tip: Let the egg whites come to room temperature before beating. They will whip better than cold whites.
- Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Soft peaks are when the whites go from foamy to opaque, but still flop over when you lift up a big spoonful.
- Continue beating, adding the sugar about a tablespoon at a time. Slow is the way to go so the sugar can incorporate.
- When stiff peaks form and the sugar is absorbed, the meringue is ready to be spread into a greased pie plate.
- Stiff peaks will be stiff and glossy. Stiff meringue will hold its shape. There should not be any sugar granules in the mixture. Check by rubbing a bit of the meringue between your fingers. Note: I have used meringue with some sugar granules and it’s no big deal in a pie crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your meringue doesn’t stiffen properly, you may not have beaten on a high enough speed, or the bowl, beaters, or egg whites may have been contaminated with oil, grease, or egg yolk. You will need to start over.
1. Start with room temperature egg whites and a very clean bowl and beaters.
2. Add cream of tartar.
3. Whip until foamy.
4. Add the sugar, a little at a time.
5. Beat to stiff, glossy peaks.
Adding an acid such as cream of tartar or lemon juice helps to stabilize the meringue by denaturing the proteins, thus delaying coagulation as it cooks.
You May Also Like:
I can always think up a reason to bake up a chocolate pie recipe! Making chocolate shards to garnish is super simple and creates a show-stopper of a dessert. From sweet to savory, chocolate to citrus to berry, there are zillions of delicious pies from which to choose. Besides this chocolate velvet pie, here are some more of my favorites:
- Gooey Brownie Pie from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Chocolate Angel Pie – another winner with a meringue crust
- Strawberry Cream Pie
- Chocolate Cream Pie
- Best Holiday Pies
- Spinach Mushroom Quiche (token savory pie!)
- More Pie Recipes
Chocolate Velvet Pie Recipe
Chocolate Velvet Pie has a meringue shell topped with incredibly rich, dreamy chocolate whipped cream and chocolate shards.
Ingredients
Meringue Crust:
- 3 egg whites, at room temperature
- ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup superfine sugar (whiz in the food processor for about a minute)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Velvet Filling:
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ⅓ cup sugar
- Grated chocolate, chocolate curls or chocolate shards to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9-inch deep dish pie plate. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350º.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and salt. Beat until soft peaks start to form. Very slowly, add the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Mix in vanilla.
- Spread meringue in a pie plate, smoothing the top with an offset spatula. Bake for one hour, then turn off the oven and leave the meringue in the oven to cool.
- When the meringue shell is cool, make the filling.
- Place chocolate and coffee in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30-seconds, stop and stir, then repeat until chocolate is melted and smooth. Mix in vanilla and let cool.
- Whip cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Add the cooled chocolate to the cream, and gently fold in until all white streaks are gone.
- Spread topping over top of meringue shell. Garnish with chocolate if desired. Chill before serving.
Notes
As an option, you may dust the finished pie with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 492Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 59mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 2gSugar: 52gProtein: 4g
44 Comments on “Chocolate Velvet Pie with Meringue Crust”
What a luscious pie, perfect for a sunmer dinner party.
Is there ANY way to substitute the coffee for something else.
I’d try water instead. My husband does not like the flavor of coffee or anything “mocha,” but he will eat this dessert made with coffee.
This sounds delicious. I have never had a pie with a meringue crust. I have to try it. I love anything with chocolate, so this would be perfect for me.
When you say “grease” the pie plate-what do you use. I’ve used Crisco and the meringue sticks . Butter is better, but changes the meringue. What do you suggest?
Hi, Marsha, I just spray a light coating of Pam. I’ve never had a problem. Maybe Baker’s Joy (with oil and flour) might work better for you? Good luck!!!
Just made this pie. The filling is fantastic and I love the presentation. The only problem is that baking the meringue at 350 for an hour resulted in a slightly burned crust. Should I bake it at 325 for an hour or 350 for more like 45 minutes? I want the inside of the crust to be done.
Hi, Kay,
I’d bake the crust at 325 for an hour. Your oven may run a tad bit hot. If it’s not too dark after an hour, you can always cook it a few minutes longer if you’re worried about it being fully cooked. But I think an hour should be fine 🙂
Liz…I was already sitting here craving chocolate and now it’s worse! Gahhhh!
Wow this looks incredibly special, perfect way to celebrate Pi Day!
That chocolate on top just has me drooling over!
Such a dreamy pie, love that velvety filling!
Oh Liz it’s beautiful! And I’ve never had a meringue crust before I must try it!
Awesome pie you’ve got there, dear! xoxo
Heavily contemplating eating this for breakfast. Looking at your delicious photos in the am and already craving dessert. Just pinned!
This is fabulous. Perfect for us gluten free folks!! Thanks Liz.
I love meringue but never thought to use it as a crust. What a clever idea! I’ve got to make this! It’s something I can actually share with gluten free boss.
Just lovely! And perfect for pi day!
Looks absolutely wonderful Lizzy!! have a nice weekend!
Time to make some pie!! Love the meringue crust!
Look at this pie! Decadent, luscious, and silky chocolate filling – no pie crust needed indeed. But I also do like this meringue crust; all together, that must be a divine combination.
The meringue crust makes this even more decadent.
Coffee…brewed or instant granules?
Brewed coffee. Hope you enjoy!
What a totally great idea Liz and great combination too.happy PI day!
This is chocolate heaven!!! Just the word “velvet” makes me swoon 😉 Looks amazing Liz! Love!
What a unique and beautiful dessert! I love the idea of a meringue crust!
It’s looks so light and fluffy that for me is more near of perfection that a number pi! xo
That crust sounds amazing. What a unique crust! Love those chocolate shards! Beautiful pie!
I absolutely love this Chocolate Velvet Meringue Pie. The pie is not only gorgeous but delicious! My family is having a party on Sunday! I am making this for the celebration.
A meringue crust sounds absolutely perfect for that fluffy chocolate filling. What a great idea!
I had a similar pie like this years ago at a restaurant…I’m happy to finally have a recipe for it.
THIS IS A PIE I COULD GET MY MOUTH ON! I think you OUT PIED ME TODAY! lol!
Happy Pi Day and you have made a winner, love it all, especially the crust.
Meringue crust?!?! Genius. I can’t wait to try this, Liz.
i must say, its a delicious way to celebrate pie day
The merengue crust will be perfect with all that velvety chocolate! What a great combo to pair together!!
What a luscious pie! Truly perfect for Pi Day! Looks WONDERFUL! Thanks. 🙂
That chocolate bark on top is the perfect touch!
Love the idea of a meringue crust smothered by mousse. Oh my YUM
Your pie looks amazing (as ever!). Love the idea of a meringue crust – hints f one of my favorite desserts, pavlova.
decadent and scrumptious screen looking good!
Oh my! That pie is splendid! I want to dig in with a spoon 😀
I love the idea of using meringue tart crust! The pie looks sensational.