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Rich Molten Chocolate Pie

Featured in Sweet Endings: Irresistible Desserts.

This gooey chocolate crackle pie is a true crowd-pleaser. It's packed with chocolate flavors, blending melted chocolate, cocoa, and butter into a soft center with a crispy top. Serve it warm for a melty, rich delight or cold for a firmer bite. Hazelnut whipped cream takes it to another level, making it perfect for any celebration!

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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:06:44 GMT
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Rich Molten Chocolate Pie | linacooks.com
A decadent treat waiting for you, this Gooey Chocolate Crackle Pie combines a mouthwatering chocolate center with a crispy top and flaky crust. It's the ultimate comfort dessert that works great for fancy gatherings or just quiet evenings at home, particularly when topped with our nutty hazelnut cream for that extra bit of luxury.

What You'll Need

  • Pie Crust Round: Forms the flaky foundation for your gooey filling - grab one from the store or make it yourself.
  • Egg (beaten): Gives your crust that lovely golden shine when baked.
  • Vanilla Sugar or Coarse Sugar (optional): Sprinkle on crust edges for extra crunch and sweetness.
  • Large Eggs: Helps your filling get that perfect pudding-like texture that everyone loves.
  • Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps create that signature crackly top.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Packs a punch of deep chocolate flavor throughout.
  • Instant Coffee Granules: Boosts chocolate taste without making it taste like coffee.
  • Kosher Salt: Cuts through sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor pop.
  • Salted Butter (melted): Adds a smooth, rich mouthfeel to the filling.
  • Hazelnut Liquor (optional): Gives a hint of nutty goodness that works magic with chocolate.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings a cozy flavor that makes the chocolate taste even better.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Creates those irresistible pockets of melty chocolate throughout.
  • Heavy Cream: The starting point for your cloud-like whipped topping.
  • Maple Syrup: Sweetens your whipped cream with earthy goodness.
  • Hazelnut Liquor (optional for whipped cream): Makes your topping extra special with a touch of nutty flavor.

How To Make It

Step 1:
Get your oven ready by placing a rack in the bottom third and heating to 375°F. Put your pie crust in a deep 9-inch dish, then brush the edges with beaten egg for that golden look. If you want, sprinkle some vanilla or coarse sugar around the edge. Poke a few holes in the bottom with a fork, cover with parchment, and pour in some pie weights or dried beans. Pop it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to chill.
Step 2:
Stick the crust in the oven and bake about 20 minutes until it starts to set. Take out the weights and bake another 5 minutes until it looks golden. Pull it out and turn the oven down to 350°F.
Step 3:
While that's happening, grab a big bowl and mix your eggs and sugar together really well. Throw in the cocoa powder, coffee granules, and salt. Now add your melted butter, hazelnut liquor (if you're using it), and vanilla, then stir until everything's nice and smooth.
Step 4:
Now fold those chocolate chips or chunks into your mixture, being careful not to stir too hard. Pour everything into your pre-baked crust.
Step 5:
Bake for about 45-55 minutes until the top puffs up but the middle still jiggles a bit. Remember, the longer you cook it, the less gooey it'll be. Take it out and let it cool for 20-30 minutes.
Step 6:
For your hazelnut cream topping, whip the heavy cream with a mixer until it starts forming soft peaks. Add your maple syrup, hazelnut liquor (if you want), and vanilla, then keep whipping until it's nice and fluffy.
Step 7:
You can serve your pie warm for maximum gooeyness or cold for a firmer bite. Either way, don't forget a big dollop of that hazelnut whipped cream on top!

Easy Storage & Serving Ideas

  • Enjoy this pie warm if you love that gooey center or cool it down for a more solid slice. Always add a big spoonful of the hazelnut cream on top.
  • Try serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some crushed nuts on top for some crunch.
  • Got leftovers? Cover them up and keep in your fridge for up to 3 days.
  • When you want more, just pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to get that center all gooey again.

Smart Tricks

  • Want more hazelnut taste? Just add another tablespoon of hazelnut liquor to your whipped cream.
  • If you don't like things too sweet, just cut back the sugar by 1/4 cup.
  • The coffee doesn't make it taste like coffee at all, but feel free to skip it if you want. It just makes the chocolate taste better.

Pro Chef Advice

  • Jacques Torres says to mix both chocolate chips and chunks together for an interesting texture in your desserts.
  • Ina Garten always adds a bit of salt to chocolate treats to make them taste even better.
  • Dominique Ansel recommends letting your pie cool just a little so it holds together but still has that amazing gooey middle.

Why This Dessert Rocks

  • You'll get that amazing contrast between the crackly chocolate top and the super gooey center that chocolate fans dream about.
  • The hazelnut cream on top cuts through the richness and takes everything up a notch.
  • It's so easy to make but looks and tastes like you spent hours on it - perfect for impressing friends!

Try These Twists

  • Make it even richer by adding a spoonful of cream to your chocolate mix before baking.
  • Throw in some chopped hazelnuts or almonds for a bit of crunch in every bite.
  • During winter holidays, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to your whipped cream for a festive touch.

Molten Chocolate Pie

Warm chocolate crackle pie with gooey goodness, topped with hazelnut whipped cream for an extra special bite.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Dessert

Yield: 8 Servings (1 pie)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 beaten egg for brushing the edges.
02 1 pastry shell, homemade or ready-to-use.
03 Granulated vanilla sugar or raw sugar for sprinkling (optional).
04 Four large eggs.
05 One and a half cups of white sugar.
06 Half a cup of cocoa powder without added sweeteners.
07 2 small spoons of instant coffee powder.
08 Half a teaspoon of kosher salt.
09 10 tablespoons of melted salted butter.
10 A tablespoon of hazelnut-flavored liquor (optional).
11 Two teaspoons of pure vanilla.
12 Half a cup of either chocolate chunks or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
13 One cup of thick whipping cream.
14 Real maple syrup, one tablespoon.
15 Another two teaspoons of natural vanilla.
16 An extra tablespoon of hazelnut liquor, if you'd like.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven rack near the bottom. Heat the oven up to 375°F.

Step 02

Lay the dough inside a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, pressing into the sides. Use the beaten egg to coat the edges, sprinkle with sugar for a sweet touch if you want, and poke the base gently with a fork. Put a piece of parchment paper on top, add pie weights, beans, or rice on top, and freeze for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 03

Pop the crust in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until it's holding shape. Take out the parchment with the weights, and bake once more for 5 minutes so it gets golden. Take from oven, then turn the oven temperature down to 350°F.

Step 04

While the crust bakes, mix sugar and eggs until smooth. Toss in cocoa, coffee granules, and salt, mixing well. Stir melted butter, hazelnut liquor (if you're adding it), and vanilla into the mix. Add chocolate pieces, combine, and pour into your crust once it's prepped.

Step 05

Bake for about 45-55 minutes. You'll notice the top slightly puffed and crackly, but give the plate a little shake—if the center is still moving a bit, it's done! Let it cool, then serve it warm with cream or let chill for a more solid texture.

Step 06

Whip the chilled cream with a mixer till it forms soft peaks. Add maple syrup, vanilla, and hazelnut liquor (if using), then blend until it becomes airy and creamy. Done!

Notes

  1. This chocolate pie has a rich middle that stays soft under a crisp, crackly top.
  2. It's even better when paired with a whipped cream touched with hazelnut flavor.
  3. For a gooey bite, serve warm. If you'd rather it set, chill it first!

Tools You'll Need

  • An oven.
  • Deep 9-inch pie dish.
  • Non-stick parchment sheet.
  • Something heavy, like pie weights, rice, or dry beans.
  • A hand or stand mixer.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 54 g
  • Protein: 6 g