Mexican Chocolate Pie Recipe

Dreamy Mexican Chocolate Pie Recipe for Sweet Tooth Bliss

Sweet memories of my abuela’s kitchen dance around this rich mexican chocolate pie that whispers stories of tradition and comfort.

Cocoa-infused layers melt together with unexpected warmth and depth.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a dessert both familiar and surprising.

Complex spices weave through smooth chocolate, promising a sensory adventure.

Cinnamon and chili hint at bold Mexican culinary heritage, transforming a classic pie into something extraordinary.

Each slice invites you to savor a cultural celebration of flavor and love.

Let this decadent pie become the star of your next gathering.

Mexican Chocolate Pie That Brings Heat and Sweetness

  • Quick and Easy Mexican Chocolate Pie Adventure
  • Whip up this gourmet pie with simple ingredients and basic kitchen skills, perfect for home bakers of all levels.
  • Indulge in a rich, decadent dessert that combines traditional chocolate with unexpected Mexican-inspired spices like cinnamon and cayenne, creating a bold and memorable taste experience.
  • Prepare this pie in advance and chill for at least 2 hours, making it an ideal dessert for dinner parties, special occasions, or when you want to impress guests without last-minute stress.
  • A versatile dessert that appeals to chocolate lovers and adventurous eaters alike, offering a unique twist on classic chocolate pie that will spark conversation and delight taste buds.

Ingredients That Make Mexican Chocolate Pie Stand Out

Crust Ingredients:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides the base and texture for the pie crust.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust.
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients and creates a rich flavor.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy base for the chocolate filling.
  • Dark Chocolate: The main flavor component, rich and intense.
  • Eggs: Provides structure and helps set the filling.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, traditional Mexican chocolate spice.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Introduces a subtle heat characteristic of Mexican chocolate.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out and complements the chocolate flavor.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Whipped Cream: Optional topping for added richness.
  • Chocolate Shavings: Decorative and adds extra chocolate texture.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Chili Powder: Optional garnish for extra flavor and presentation.

Baking Instructions for Mexican Chocolate Pie

Step 1: Prepare Delectable Crust

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Mix crumbs with sugar and melted butter until perfectly combined. Press mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until golden. Let crust cool completely.

Step 2: Create Spicy Chocolate Filling

Warm cream and milk in a saucepan until steaming. Remove from heat and add:
  • Chopped chocolate
  • Stir until smooth and glossy
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Eggs
  • Sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract

Slowly pour warm chocolate mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.

Step 3: Bake Decadent Pie

Pour chocolate filling into cooled crust. Bake at 325°F for 25-30 minutes. Look for edges that are set but center remains slightly jiggly.

Step 4: Chill and Garnish

Cool pie at room temperature for one hour. Refrigerate for minimum two hours before serving. Top with:
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon
  • Dash of chili powder (optional)

Helpful Hints for Mexican Chocolate Pie Perfection

  • Master Chocolate Tempering: Slowly add warm chocolate mixture to eggs to prevent scrambling, creating a smooth, silky custard base.
  • Crust Crispness Trick: Fully cool graham cracker crust before adding filling to maintain its delightful crunch and prevent sogginess.
  • Spice Balance Strategy: Adjust cayenne and cinnamon levels to personalize heat intensity, ensuring a perfectly balanced Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
  • Baking Precision Technique: Watch pie closely during baking; slight center wobble indicates ideal custard texture when removing from oven.
  • Chilling for Perfection: Allow minimum 2-hour refrigeration to help pie set completely, enhancing flavor melding and achieving ideal slicing consistency.

How to Store and Slice Mexican Chocolate Pie Easily

  • Store leftover Mexican Chocolate Pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap the entire pie or individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for 2-3 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
  • Transfer frozen pie from freezer to refrigerator and let thaw overnight for best texture and flavor preservation.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a preheated 325F oven for 5-7 minutes until slightly warm, being careful not to overcook and dry out the delicate filling.

Serve Mexican Chocolate Pie with These Companions

  • Choose a bold, fruity red like Zinfandel or Syrah that complements the pie's spicy Mexican chocolate notes and balances the cayenne's heat.
  • Serve alongside a chilled, creamy horchata to soothe the spicy undertones and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich chocolate filling.
  • Pour a small shot of dark, intense espresso that enhances the chocolate's depth and cuts through the pie's creamy sweetness, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
  • Mix a cocktail featuring cinnamon-based spirits like Fireball or Mexican rum to echo the pie's warm spices and create a harmonious flavor connection.

Fun Twists on the Mexican Chocolate Pie Tradition

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Haven: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Spicy Chocolate Dream: Substitute eggs with silken tofu or cashew cream, use coconut milk, and choose dairy-free dark chocolate for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Sensation: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentage to reduce overall sugar content.
  • Dairy-Free Chocolate Paradise: Swap cream and milk with coconut cream or almond milk, ensuring a rich and creamy texture without traditional dairy ingredients.

Mexican Chocolate Pie FAQs for Dessert Nights

  • What makes Mexican chocolate different from regular chocolate?

Mexican chocolate is traditionally made with roasted cacao beans, sugar, and warming spices like cinnamon. It has a grainier texture and often includes a hint of spiciness from ingredients like cayenne or chili powder.

  • Why do I need to temper the eggs when making this pie?

Tempering prevents the eggs from scrambling by slowly introducing hot chocolate mixture into them. This technique ensures a smooth, creamy custard-like filling without chunks of cooked egg.

  • How do I know when the pie is perfectly baked?

The pie is done when the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble. This means the filling will continue to set as it cools, creating a perfect creamy texture without being overcooked.

  • Can I adjust the spice level in this Mexican chocolate pie?

Yes, you can easily modify the cayenne to suit your heat preference. Start with a small amount and gradually increase if you want more spice, or omit completely for a milder flavor.

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Mexican Chocolate Pie Recipe

Mexican Chocolate Pie Recipe


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4.5 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Indulgent Mexican chocolate pie delivers a spicy-sweet symphony of rich cocoa and cinnamon dancing across creamy layers. Silky ganache and a hint of cayenne pepper promise an unforgettable dessert adventure you’ll savor with each luxurious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) whole milk

Spice and Flavor Enhancers:

  • ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cups (150 grams) graham cracker crumbs or crushed chocolate wafers
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Optional Toppings:

  • Whipped cream
  • Shaved chocolate
  • Cinnamon sprinkle
  • Pinch of chili powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the graham cracker foundation by pulverizing the crumbs with sugar and melted butter. Firmly press the mixture into a 9-inch pie vessel, ensuring an even layer. Bake in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for approximately 8 minutes until lightly golden. Allow the crust to cool completely.
  2. Create the decadent chocolate base by gently heating cream and milk until steaming. Remove from heat and incorporate chopped chocolate, stirring until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, warm spices of cinnamon and cayenne, salt, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
  4. Carefully temper the egg mixture by slowly introducing the warm chocolate liquid, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
  5. Transfer the luxurious chocolate blend into the cooled graham cracker shell, ensuring an even distribution.
  6. Reduce oven temperature to 325F (160C) and bake the pie for 25-30 minutes. The edges should appear set while the center remains slightly jiggly.
  7. Remove from oven and let the pie rest at room temperature for one hour to stabilize its structure.
  8. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to allow complete setting and enhance flavor development.
  9. Before serving, garnish with optional toppings like billowy whipped cream, delicate chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of warming cinnamon or fiery chili powder.

Notes

  • Customize the crust by using graham crackers, chocolate wafers, or gluten-free cookies for different dietary needs.
  • Prevent crust from becoming soggy by briefly prebaking and ensuring it’s completely cooled before adding filling.
  • Temper chocolate mixture carefully when adding to eggs to avoid scrambling by whisking slowly and consistently.
  • Control spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper amount – start with less and taste, then incrementally increase for personal heat preference.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 364
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 648 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 51 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 43 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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