Molten Chocolate Crackle Pie.

Molten Chocolate Crackle Pie…my new favorite Thanksgiving pie that rivals all others. A super simple chocolate pie made with eggs, cocoa powder, a touch of coffee, and sweet chocolate chunks. All baked together until puffed on top, but warm and gooey in the center. The crust is buttery, flaky, and sprinkled with sweet vanilla sugar. While the filling inside is warm, fudgy, and almost molten-like. Delicious when served with a dollop of vanilla hazelnut whipped cream. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving pie. Or maybe just your Friday night dessert!

Happiest Friday everyone! Today feels especially exciting. It’s been a long week for us all, but I love that we can end it on such a sweet note with some Thanksgiving pie!

I think the silver lining of this past year is that it’s really making me appreciate, and look forward to even the smallest things. Simple things like extra time at home with my little sister. Not having much travel booked through the end of the year. And feeling especially excited for the holiday season. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Everything this year just feels even more special and I want to make our holiday menu as close to perfect as can be! I spent a lot of time thinking about desserts for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. The funny thing is that this pie is actually a pie I had on my “to make list” last Thanksgiving. I didn’t have enough time to make and test this recipe last year, so I saved it for this year.

And you know, I am so glad I did. In the words of little Miss Asher (my younger sister), “this pie rivals mom’s chocolate chip cookie pie“.

If you know anything about how special and delicious my mom’s pie is, then you know that if Asher is saying this pie rivals hers…

It. Is. GOOD!

The background.

My mom used to have a Hershey’s baking book way back in the day. It was filled to the brim with well over a hundred chocolate recipes. Yet, somehow, the only recipe we ever made out of that cookbook was a recipe for chocolate peanut butter cups.

Of course, would you expect anything else from us?

The cookbook had so many recipes from cakes, to brownies, to pies, and more. I remember it had a chocolate fudge pie that looked so rich and delicious with a brownie-like top, and chocolate fudgy center. That very first photo I have pictured in my head was the inspiration behind this pie…but I wanted my pie to be a little more molten-like and served warm.

Which brings me to today’s recipe. It’s really just a fudge pie with some special touches. It’s served warm with a big dollop of homemade hazelnut whipped cream.

The details.

While the pie is truly delicious and beautiful with that crackled top, it’s actually the simplest to make.

Start with the crust. I did make my own crust, and while I will tell you it’s better than store-bought, I will also tell you that if you don’t want to make the crust, you shouldn’t make the crust! Pies can be stressful, I get it. If the crust is stressing you out pick up your favorite from the store. I hear Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have great options!

Once you have your crust sorted out, sprinkle it with vanilla sugar (simply just sugar mixed with vanilla beans), then pre-bake it. You want to get the crust cooked before adding the filling to ensure your crust stays crisp and flaky instead of just soggy.

While the crust is baking, work on the filling.

This is easy and you don’t even need a mixer. What you do need are eggs, a little cocoa powder, sugar, instant coffee, and butter. Plenty of butter for this one!

Just whisk it all together and done.

A few special touches.

One, hazelnut liquor, which is not needed, but it does add something special to the pie. The sweet liquor really helps to highlight all the rich chocolate within the recipe. it’s a pricey ingredient, but if you make a lot of holiday cocktails, it’s definitely a liquor I would recommend keeping on your bar cart.

The smell alone reminds me of the holidays.

Two, chocolate chunks (or chips) folded into the batter just before baking. The chunks are KEY. They help to create that gooey, almost molten-like center that everyone will find delicious.

And lastly, vanilla sugar sprinkled over top of the crust for an extra sweet finishing touch.

As soon as the pie comes out of the oven, it will be very poofed on top and wiggly in the center. As the pie cools, it will fall and set up.

Wait twenty or so minutes, then cut and serve while still warm and gooey, with an extra-large dollop of whipped cream. It’s like a mug of warm hot chocolate, a fudge brownie, and molten pie all in one.

Roll your eggs back, go for that second slice, and finish the pie in one sitting, GOOD.

Dramatic, but true.

You can easily serve the pie at room temperature or chilled. It’s always delicious, no matter what, but I like it warm best. Do what works for you though!

So with that, it’s Friday, and after Tuesday’s election I know we’re all feeling the need to de-stress. Game plan? Call it a week and end on a super sweet note with this pie. I always say it’s best to test any new holiday recipes before the holiday. So now you have a real reason to bake this up!

Enjoy! See ya tomorrow for our first Thanksgiving cocktail!

Looking for other Thanksgiving desserts? Here are my favorites: 

Brown Sugar Maple Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie Cookies with Butter Pecan Frosting

Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Lastly, if you make this Molten Chocolate Crackle Pie, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

@halfbakedharvest

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