Mrs. Betty Hamrick’s Classic Chocolate Custard Pie: A Two-Pie Vintage Recipe
There’s a certain kind of dessert that immediately transports you back to your childhood, to church potlucks, or to your grandmother’s kitchen. Mrs. Betty Hamrick’s Chocolate Custard Pie is exactly that. It’s an old-school recipe that relies on simple, pantry-staple ingredients and delivers an impossibly rich, velvety-smooth, and deeply satisfying chocolate custard, all nestled in a flaky crust.
This recipe is legendary because it yields two perfect pies—one for now and one for sharing (or, let’s be honest, one for the freezer for later). Forget complex chocolate ganaches or mousse fillings; this custard sets up beautifully, slices cleanly, and has a richness that comes from real butter and egg yolks. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s pure comfort and nostalgia, you’ve found it.
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a self-professed dessert fiend, and while I love a crazy new chocolate creation, nothing beats a true classic.
- It’s Old-Fashioned Comfort: This isn’t a modern, airy dessert. It’s substantial, deeply flavored, and feels like a warm hug. It’s the perfect antidote to a chilly evening or the grand finale to a family dinner.
- Simple Science, Perfect Set: The method of cooking the custard in a double boiler (or over a makeshift simmering water bath) is the secret weapon here. It ensures the egg yolks temper slowly and the custard thickens to a flawless consistency without scorching or scrambling—a common pitfall in pie making.
- Double the Delight: The fact that this recipe makes two pies is a huge bonus. You’re putting in the effort once, but getting double the payoff. I always bring one to a get-together, and the praise I get is entirely due to Mrs. Hamrick’s genius.
Ingredients
This recipe makes 2 (9-inch) pies and requires minimal ingredients, proving that simple can be spectacular.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
| Pie Shells | 2 (9-inch) regular pie shells | Must be pre-baked (blind baked) and completely cooled. |
| Sugar | 2 cups | Standard granulated white sugar. |
| Cocoa Powder | 41 cup | Use high-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder for the best flavor. |
| All-Purpose Flour | 21 cup | This is the thickening agent. |
| Large Egg Yolks | 2 | Reserve the whites for another use (or make a meringue topping). |
| Milk | 4 cups | Whole milk is recommended for the richest flavor and texture. |
| Butter | 21 stick (41 cup) | Unsalted butter, cut into a few pieces. |
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Swaps and Notes
- Milk: While whole milk is best for richness, you can successfully use 2% milk. I don’t recommend skim milk, as the low-fat content can affect the luxurious mouthfeel of the custard.
- Pie Shells: If you’re not up for baking your own, a good-quality store-bought pie crust works perfectly! Just ensure they are fully baked and cooled. A graham cracker crust also works for a no-bake variation, though it’s less traditional.
- Vanilla Extract: While not listed in the original recipe, I often sneak in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract at the very end with the butter for an extra layer of flavor.
Instructions: How to Make Chocolate Custard Pie
The key to this recipe is the slow, gentle heat of the double boiler. Don’t rush this step!
Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients
In the top of a double boiler (or a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water), whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour. This step is crucial to remove any lumps from the cocoa and flour before adding the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Combine and Whisk
Add the 2 large egg yolks and the 4 cups of milk to the dry mixture. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform in color.
Step 3: Cook the Custard
Place the double boiler over simmering water (ensure the bottom of the top bowl doesn’t touch the water). Cook over the simmering water, stirring almost constantly, until the mixture thickens into a thick, glossy custard. This can take anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes. The custard is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and holds a line drawn through it with your finger.
Step 4: Finish the Custard
Immediately remove the top pot/bowl from the heat. Stir in the butter (21 stick) until it is completely melted and glossy. The butter adds incredible richness and a beautiful shine to the filling.
Step 5: Fill and Cool
Carefully pour the hot custard evenly into the two pre-baked and cooled pie shells.
Step 6: Chill and Set
Let the pies cool to room temperature on the counter for about 1-2 hours. Once cooled, transfer them to the refrigerator and chill until set, which usually takes at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. The custard must be completely cold and firm to slice cleanly.
Tips for Success
- The Double Boiler is Non-Negotiable: A double boiler (or bain-marie) is critical because it controls the heat, preventing the delicate egg yolks from curdling. If you don’t have one, place a stainless steel bowl over a saucepan with an inch or two of simmering water. The steam is what does the cooking.
- Stir, Stir, Stir: You must stir the custard almost constantly while it cooks. This prevents the bottom from setting too quickly or scorching, which results in a lumpy, burnt-tasting pie.
- Cool Completely: Do not skip the chilling time! A rushed custard will be runny. The starch in the flour and the egg yolks need time in the refrigerator to fully solidify and give you that perfect, sliceable wedge.
- High-Quality Cocoa: Since cocoa is the main flavor, use a decent brand. It makes a noticeable difference in the final chocolate depth.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This pie is heaven served plain, but a little something on top never hurts!
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream is the ultimate classic pairing.
- Meringue: Use those leftover egg whites to whip up a beautiful meringue topping and lightly torch it for a striking finish.
- Raspberries: The slight tartness of fresh raspberries or a raspberry sauce cuts through the pie’s richness beautifully.
- Coffee Pairing: Serve it with a strong cup of black coffee or, for a decadent twist, a boozy dessert drink like The Slippery Drank, a sweet sipper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
The following is an estimated nutritional breakdown for one slice, assuming this recipe yields 8 slices per pie (16 total servings).
| Element | Amount |
| Calories | 420 |
| Total Fat | 25.4g |
| Saturated Fat | 15.5g |
| Cholesterol | 143.5mg |
| Sodium | 54.6mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.3g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5g |
| Total Sugars | 37.1g |
| Protein | 6.7g |
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Note: Nutritional values are estimates and will vary based on brands of ingredients and specific pie crust used.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Storage:
Keep the pie tightly covered in the refrigerator. The pie will hold its best texture and flavor for 3 to 4 days. After that, the crust may start to become a little soggy, but the filling will still be delicious.
Freezing:
Chocolate custard pie is one of the better custard pies for freezing! Once completely set and chilled, you can wrap a whole pie tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, simply unwrap it and let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you’re a fan of rich, comforting chocolate desserts, you’ll definitely want to check out these other favorites:
- For an amazing no-bake treat that delivers instant chocolate satisfaction, try this Brownie Batter Dip.
- If you love the chocolate-peanut butter combo, don’t miss out on The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made.
- These Chocolate Oreo Hearts are a fun, easy, no-bake project that are always a hit.
- Need a project that is ridiculously decadent? Make a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs.
- And for a breakfast treat that uses up those overripe bananas, you can’t go wrong with This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
Final Thoughts
Mrs. Betty Hamrick’s Chocolate Custard Pie is more than just a recipe; it’s a piece of culinary history. It proves that with a handful of simple ingredients and a little patience over a double boiler, you can create a show-stopping dessert that tastes profoundly richer than the effort required. It’s perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or just a Tuesday when you need a little sweet comfort.
Give this classic a try and let me know in the comments below how it turned out. Did you top it with meringue or just a simple dollop of cream? I love hearing your twists on these timeless recipes!
Happy baking (and chilling)!
— Jason Griffith
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