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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Dessert / Pie / Grandma’s Chocolate Meringue Pie

Grandma’s Chocolate Meringue Pie

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 11/17/21Updated: 8/15/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

Sliced chocolate meringue pie

This Old Fashioned Chocolate Meringue Pie has a rich chocolate filling topped with soft meringue inside a pastry crust. This recipe came from my Grandma Zola.

sliced chocolate meringue pie

Today’s recipe is an old family recipe for Chocolate Meringue Pie.  It actually belonged to my grandmother and I am lucky enough to have the recipe written in her own handwriting!

Pie is one of my favorite desserts.  There are a lot of pie recipes I love, but I think there is nothing quite like a homemade chocolate pie.  Add a topping of meringue and you’ve just about got perfection.

slice of chocolate meringue pie

Chocolate Pie Ingredients 

  • Sugar
  • Cocoa Powder. Use a baking cocoa
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Egg Yolks
  • Milk. Whole milk
  • Vanilla
  • Pie Crust
meringue topped pie on cooling rack

What Kind of Pie Crust Do I Use?

This recipe calls for a pre-baked pie crust.  You can use a frozen pie crust and just bake it according to the directions on the package. You can also make one from scratch and use my Perfect Pie Crust Recipe. Bake the crust at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

How to Make Chocolate Meringue Pie

  • Mix together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a medium size sauce pan.
  • Add in milk and bring mixture to a boil. Boil for 1 minute.
  • Whisk egg yolks together in a small bowl.
  • Add small amount of hot milk mixture into eggs, stirring as you add. You do not want to cook the eggs.
making chocolate meringue pie filling
  • Pour egg/milk mixture into saucepan with remaining milk mixture.
  • Over medium heat, stir constantly for about 3 minutes or until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and add in vanilla, chocolate chips and butter and stir until melted.
  • Pour mixture into baked pie crust. Add meringue layer while filling is still hot.
pouring chocolate filling into pie crust

Meringue Ingredients

  • Egg Whites. These are leftover from the pie filling, make sure there is no yolk in the whites!
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Vanilla

How to Make Meringue for Pie

  1. Beat egg whites and pinch of salt until stiff peaks form with an electric mixer.
  2. Slowly add in the sugar and vanilla.
  3. Spoon meringue over the top of the hot filling. Be sure meringue covers the entire surface and is sealed around the edges. No filling should show!
spreading meringue on chocolate pie


Tips for perfect meringue

  • Make sure all your equipment is cleaner, especially your beaters and bowl.
  • Don’t allow any egg yolk to get into your egg whites.
  • Room temperature eggs whip up fluffier and lighter.
smoothing meringue on chocolate pie

Important Tip!!

The trick here is you want to make sure that the meringue is totally sealed around the edges of the pie crust, no holes or filling peeking out!

How to Bake A Meringue Pie

  • Put the pie in the oven for 15 minutes or so until the meringue is nice and golden brown. Watch it closely.,
  • Allow pie to cool for several hours before slicing.
overhead shot of meringue pie

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Prevent Meringue Pie from Weeping

“Weeping” is when the meringue separates from the filling and liquid forms between the two layers.
To prevent this from happening, put the meringue onto the filling while it is still hot. The heat from the filling helps to cook the meringue on the bottom which prevents it from shrinking and weeping.

How Do I Store Meringue Pie?

Allow the pie to cool completely and then refrigerate. Chill for 3-5 hours before serving. You do not need to cover it unless it will be in the refrigerator longer.
To store the pie longer, insert toothpicks into the meringue and loosely drape plastic wrap over the tops of the toothpicks, don’t let the plastic wrap touch the meringue.
You can refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Can I Freeze a Chocolate Meringue Pie?

Cream or meringue topped pies do not freeze well and the crust becomes soggy if frozen.

Why do little beads of water form on my meringue?

This happens if the meringue is over baked. Overbaking causes the meringue to shrink which releases little beads of liquid.

slice of chocolate meringue pie on a plate

How to Cut Meringue Pie

The secret is to dip your knife into warm water first. This will prevent the meringue from sticking to the knife.

Check the Weather!

Try and make your chocolate meringue pie on a clear, dry day. A rainy or humid day can effect the success of your meringue.

Check out more of my meringue recipes:

  • Lemon Meringue Ice Cream
  • Raspberry Cream Meringue Pie
  • Meringue Cookies
  • Toffee Meringues
  • Peppermint Meringues
4.87 from 44 votes
sliced chocolate meringue pie

Chocolate Meringue Pie

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Delicious chocolate meringue pie just like my grandmother used to make.
serves: 8 servings
Prep:15 minutes
Cook:25 minutes
Total:40 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 9 inch pre baked pie crust
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 Tbsp cocoa heaping Tbsp
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • pinch salt
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Meringue

  • 4 egg whites
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • few drops of vanilla

Instructions

  • Mix sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt together in a pan.
  • Add in milk. Bring mixture to a boil and boil for 1 minute.
  • Beat egg yolks together in a bowl.
  • Add small amount of hot milk mixture into eggs, stirring as you add. You do not want to cook the eggs.
  • Pour egg/milk mixture into pan with remaining milk mixture.
  • Over medium heat, stir constantly for about 3 minutes or until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and add in vanilla, chocolate chips and butter and stir until melted.
  • Pour mixture into baked pie crust. Add meringue layer while filling is still hot.

Meringue

  • Beat 4 egg whites, pinch of salt and cream of tartar until stiff.
  • Add sugar and few drops of vanilla.
  • Spread on top of warm pie and bake at 325 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Be sure to seal meringue to edge of pie crust so no air can get in.
  • Allow pie to cool and set up before serving.

Tips & Notes:

To cut a meringue pie,  dip your knife into warm water first. This will prevent the meringue from sticking to the knife.
Leftovers will last up to two days in the refrigerator.  Place toothpicks into the meringue and gently lay plastic wrap over the top.
Be sure that meringue covers the entire surface of the pie and is sealed around the edges to prevent shrinkage and weeping.

Recommended Products

Pie Plate (9in)
Rolling Pin
Measuring Cups

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 1298kcal (65%) Carbohydrates: 151g (50%) Protein: 20g (40%) Fat: 68g (105%) Saturated Fat: 24g (150%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g Monounsaturated Fat: 30g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 112mg (37%) Sodium: 1002mg (44%) Potassium: 424mg (12%) Fiber: 7g (29%) Sugar: 37g (41%) Vitamin A: 321IU (6%) Calcium: 133mg (13%) Iron: 7mg (39%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
sliced chocolate meringue pie
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Originally shared November 13, 2012

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  1. Kathy says

    Posted on 12/24 at 5:32 am

    Made this for Thanksgiving. Followed recipe exactly. It turned out perfect! It was my first attempt at making meringue. I didnt think it was that hard. Just follow the recipe and read the suggestions. The pie was absolutely delicious! Great tasting!! My fiance said it was just as good if not better than his grandma use to make. I’m making another one today for Christmas dinner! Thanks for the great recipe with very clear instructions and helpful suggestions!!

    Reply
  2. Patrick O'Neill Wilson says

    Posted on 12/10 at 3:21 pm

    I’ve made this recipe several times now…and it is the closest I have come to my Grandmother’s choc.meringue pie..A wonderful pie that grandma would make for my Bday instead of cake

    Reply
  3. JoJo says

    Posted on 10/8 at 11:06 pm

    Everyone loved the pie

    Reply
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