This Salted Caramel Cream Pie is pretty dang delicious! It's a New England-style, from-scratch treat made with a homemade crust and rich, chocolaty filling.
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Attention, chocolate lovers: this pie is for you! Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie is a no-bake dessert that's rich and luscious with chocolate and caramel filling.
Make your own graham cracker crust (either baked or not) and then mix up the simple filling. This has always been one of my favorite desserts, one that was a part of every Thanksgiving! It's so easy to make that you can present it for other occasions too, or just to treat your family and friends to a sweet treat.
In a nutshell... 🐿️
- What this is: A decadent and "pretty dang delicious" twist on a classic chocolate cream pie. It has a buttery, homemade graham cracker crust filled with a rich, mousse-like chocolate layer. A secret drizzle of salted caramel sauce hides under a layer of whipped cream.
- You'll love this part: It's the ultimate comfort dessert that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull together. The crunchy crust, silky filling, and salty caramel layer make it a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
- How it's made: Bake the crumb crust (or choose my no-bake option). Whip up the chocolate filling, then layer it into the crust with the caramel. Finish with a topping of fluffy whipped cream and chill.
Jump to:
- Notes from fellow cooks:
- Everyone loves a chocolate pie!
- What is a chocolate cream pie made of?
- Is Boston Cream Pie the same as chocolate cream pie?
- Why you'll love Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie
- 🔪 How to make easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie
- FAQs
- Tips:
- Don't just take my word for it...
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Notes from fellow cooks:
"Looks delicious... Good idea to put a layer of caramel in it!" — Jo
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Everyone loves a chocolate pie!
A few years back, I did an informal poll of family and friends for their favorite types of pie. The majority of votes were split between two types: apple pie and chocolate cream pie. I think they're all correct!
In that same poll, one of my nephews voted for chocolate cream pie, and the other voted for caramel pie. So I decided to put their two faves together to create this tantalizing Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie.
There was always a chocolate cream pie at our holiday gatherings. Not only is it a simple dessert to pull together, but it's always the favorite of the kids in the house who don't like fruit pies. (I WAS that kid.)
Chocolate cream is also a favorite New England diner pie. All you fans of classic diners and diner fare out there know what I'm talking about!
Pie lovers in New England: remember the great shop, Pie In The Sky in Maine?
What is a chocolate cream pie made of?
There are several types of cream pies, like coconut, banana, and peanut butter. (And also those nothing-but-cream pies that the Three Stooges threw in each other's faces.)
Their fillings are traditionally made using flavored cooked or uncooked custards, which set in the pie shells during baking. However, the convenience of boxed instant pudding mixes has made it easy to create rich, cream pie fillings that need no baking or cooking.
This is an easy chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding, so you can whip one up quickly for any occasion.
Is Boston Cream Pie the same as chocolate cream pie?
Even though "cream pie" is in the name, Boston cream pie is quite different from a chocolate cream pie. In fact, it's not a pie at all: it's a cake!
Boston cream pie is made from vanilla sponge cake that's sliced in half horizontally with a layer of vanilla pastry cream or custard spread between the two layers. It's then topped with a thick coating of chocolate ganache that drips down the sides.
It's absolutely delicious, and my husband's favorite. However, he also loves this Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie—so let's get back to it!
Why you'll love Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie
Well, first of all: CHOCOLATE. And second of all? CARAMEL. Yes, salted caramel is layered into this chocolate pie. (Woot!)
You'll also love that this is an easy, from-scratch chocolate and caramel pie to put together. The no-bake filling is made using instant chocolate pudding. You'll be using salted caramel sauce, too, ideally the expensive stuff that you hide from the kids!
For a delicious twist, try a goat's milk salted caramel sauce, like this one from Vermont's own Fat Toad. The tang of goat's milk works really nicely in this sweet pie.
There are directions below to make a simple graham cracker crust. This salted caramel dessert is also a great make with my All Butter Pie Crust if you're so inclined. Press the dough into a pan, prebake it, and fill it once it's cool.
Pinched for time? Pick up a store-bought graham cracker crust. This pie will still be delicious, and you will still be the hero—the one who brought the chocolate caramel pie.
🔪 How to make easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie
Ingredients:
- Graham crackers: Pick up regular or cinnamon graham crackers for the crust. You'll grind them into crumbs in a food processor or by hand.
- Butter: Melted butter holds the graham cracker crumbs together so that they can be pressed into a pie plate.
- Heavy whipping cream: If you've never made your own whipped cream before, you won't believe how easy it is. Make sure the heavy cream is good and cold.
- Confectioners' sugar: The fine texture of this sugar is ideal to sweeten the whipped cream, because it dissolves quickly and smoothly.
- Chocolate pudding mix: Check the box carefully to make sure it's instant chocolate pudding and not the type that needs cooking.
- Milk: Use whole milk to whisk up the chocolate pudding filling.
- Salted caramel sauce: Choose the best quality salted caramel sauce you can find for the most amazing flavor. Stonewall Kitchen and Fat Toad Farm are great New England brands.
- Grated chocolate: Pick up a semisweet chocolate bar to grate over the top of the pie, to give it a pretty, bakery-style finish!
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Make the crust
Crush graham crackers and mix the crumbs with melted butter. Press this mixture over the bottom and sides of a pie pan. Give it a quick bake, then let it cool.
Whip the cream
Beat the cold heavy whipping cream in the chilled pan, adding in the confectioner's sugar as it whips. Stop the beater once the whipped cream is firm and has peaks.
Prepare the filling
Mix up some of the instant pudding with cold milk. Stir whipped cream into the mixture, then stir in more pudding mix. Stir it until the filling is smooth.
Fill the pie shell
Spoon the chocolate pudding mixture into the shell. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the top. Drizzle the salted caramel evenly over the top of the pudding.
Add the whipped cream topping
Spoon the rest of the whipped cream over the caramel and spread it evenly from edge to edge. Top the whipped cream with some grated chocolate. Refrigerate the pie before slicing and serving.
FAQs
Yes, you absolutely need to refrigerate chocolate cream pie, including any leftovers. Not only is this necessary for food safety, because of the dairy ingredients in the mixture, but the texture of the chocolate and caramel pie will also deteriorate if left out at room temperature for too long.
When covered and chilled, the chocolate cream pie with graham cracker crust should last as long as five days. I prefer to make this pie no more than 24 hours in advance so that the graham cracker crust still has its crunch. But leftovers will still be very tasty for several days.
Tips:
- If you have never made your own graham cracker shell, you really should. It's not difficult at all, adds very little time, and it tastes out of this world.
- Make sure you buy "instant pudding". It's easy to mix up the "instant" and "cook and serve" varieties! The cook and serve pudding will work of course, but it will add some time to the preparation of this pie.
Don't just take my word for it...
"Decadent and delicious. I love this one!" — Christian M.
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Alright, time to make your very own Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie! First, a few other dessert ideas:
💬 Did you make and devour this recipe? Leave a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Salted Caramel Chocolate Cream Pie
SAVE THIS RECIPE OR POST!
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 12 sheets (about 6 ½ ounces) graham crackers, finely crushed
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
- 2½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup confectioner's sugar
- 7.8 ounces (2 packages) instant chocolate pudding
- 1 cups cold milk
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce
- Grated chocolate from a chocolate bar
Instructions
- Place the bowl and whisk attachment of a stand mixer into the freezer to chill.
Make the crust:
- (For a no-bake crust option, see the note at the bottom of the recipe card!)
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Place the graham cracker crumbs into a medium bowl. Pour in the melted butter. Stir until all the crumbs are moistened. You can also complete this step in a food processor if you'd like.
- Press the butter-crumb mixture into an even layer over the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
- Bake the shell for 15 minutes until it is a deep golden brown. Remove and let the crust cool completely.
Make the whipped cream:
- Assemble the chilled bowl and whisk on the stand mixer and pour the whipping cream into the bowl. Whisk the cream on high. Slowly add in the confectioner's sugar as the mixer is running. Whisk the cream for about 3-5 minutes until it holds stiff peaks.
Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the milk and ONE of the pudding mixes. Whisk them together.
- Stir in 3 cups of the whipped cream.
- Sprinkle the second box of pudding mix over the mixture and stir it in. Stir until the mixture is smooth—it will be thick.
Fill the pie:
- Spoon the chocolate pudding mixture into the crust. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the top.
- Drizzle the salted caramel evenly over the top of the chocolate filling.
- Spread the rest of the whipped cream over the caramel, smoothing it edge to edge. Sprinkle the grated chocolate over the top.
- Cover and refrigerate the pie for at least 15 minutes, or even for a few hours to overnight.
- Slice and serve the pie immediately.
For a No-Bake Version:
- After pressing the graham cracker and butter mixture into the plate, cover the crust with food wrap and place it in the fridge fpr an hour, or until firm. Then, add the filling as directed.
- Another no-bake option is to use a premade graham cracker crust from the grocery store.
Notes
- If you have never tried making your own graham cracker pie crust, you'll be surprised at just how easy it is! Plus, it tastes out of this world. The recipe card has both baked and no-bake options for the graham crust.
- It's important to use instant pudding; do not use "cook 'n serve" varieties. Check the package carefully when you buy the pudding, as it's easy to mix them up.
Nutrition
Christian says
Decadent and delicious! I love this one!
Nancy Mock says
It's been a family favorite for such a long time now!
Donna LaBonte says
Nancy, this pie looks absolutely delicious. I love chocolate pie and the caramel is the key . I will make . Your recipes are the best.
Nancy Mock says
Donna, I hope you get to make this one, I love chocolate pies too! I’m so happy you left this comment for me, thank you! ❤️
Katherine Riley says
YUM!!!
Nancy Mock says
My twist on Gram's classic ❤️
SM Blooding says
Oh man! That sounds so good! I have to try it. I haven't had much luck with cream pies. I'm obviously doing something wrong. They come out a bit too...well, they lack form. I've gotta figure out what I'm doing wrong and fix that.
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Nancy Mock says
They do seem to be finicky. I remember at my grandmothers the chocolate pies would sometimes be perfect, sometimes runny. Fingers crossed this one works more often than not 🙂 Thank you!
Chrys Fey says
Oh my gosh, this looks delicious! I wish I could have a slice right now! I'm saving the recipe. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Nancy!
Nancy Mock says
Thank YOU! 🙂
Harleo - Adventures of Two Golden Doodles says
The carmel and chocolate combo is a charming idea. Breaks up the chocolate - yummy
Nancy Mock says
I did not mind making this already sweet pie even sweeter. Thanks!
Jo says
Looks delicious so long as you make it and only give me a small piece. Good idea to put a layer of caramel. I think I gained weight just reading about it.
Nancy Mock says
I'd be happy to 😉 Thanks Jo
Lori L MacLaughlin says
I hadn't thought of putting caramel syrup in it before. Definitely have to give that a try!
Nancy Mock says
I'll be making this one a lot, I think 🙂
atomichostess.com says
This looks Del-i-cious! I'm pinning for later.
Kris
Nancy Mock says
Thank you so much Kris!
Wendy says
Looks yummy. Anything with chocolate pudding sounds good to me!
~Visiting from A to Z
http://jollettetc.blogspot.com/
Nancy Mock says
Thank you Wendy! The caramel helps a lot too 😉