Chocolate Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust (No-Bake Recipe)

Name: Easy Chocolate Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 8 tablespoons melted butter (1 stick); 1/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark); 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional); 2/3 cup chocolate chips (bittersweet, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate); 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 ounce boxes (4 servings)); 2 cups milk (whole or 2%); 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark); 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 8 ounces Cool Whip (or Truwhip)

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Chocolate Pudding Pie with Graham Cracker Crust is an easy no bake dessert that tastes anything but boxed. Melted chocolate and a little brown sugar turn instant chocolate pudding mix and Cool Whip into luscious layers of rich, decadent filling that's deeply chocolatey without being too sweet, all in a homemade graham cracker pie crust.

side view of one piece of chocolate pudding pie.

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🎥Video: How to Make Chocolate Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

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🎥Video: How to Make Chocolate Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
✅No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie: At a Glance
🥧Graham Cracker Pudding Pie Ingredients
🍪Recipe Variations
🥣How to Make Chocolate Pudding Pie in a Graham Cracker Crust
💡Chocolate Pudding Pie Tips
🧊Storage, Freezing & Make Ahead Instructions
❓FAQs
🍮More No Bake Desserts
💌Let's Stay in Touch
📖 Recipe

✅No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie: At a Glance

What makes it different. Melted chocolate and a little brown sugar in the filling make it rich and flavorful, not boxed-tasting or too sweet.
Main ingredients. Instant chocolate pudding mix, melted chocolate chips, brown sugar, espresso powder, Cool Whip, graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade)
Chill time. Needs at least 4 hours to set.
Freezer and make-ahead-friendly. Make it the night before or freeze it (it's even good frozen!)
Best for. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, holiday parties, and potlucks

👉Looking for more no-bake holiday pie recipes? Try my No Bake Pineapple Cream Cheese Pie, No Bake Banana Pudding Pie, and Easy Jello Pie.

Boxed chocolate pudding is fine for an everyday chocolate craving. But I find it bland and, frankly, not very chocolatey.

So I tested (and tasted) this filling more times than I can count. And here's what made the best chocolate pudding pie filling (and my volunteer tasters agreed):

Melted chocolate chips. A game changer, you guys. When I added real melted chocolate, the filling went from flat and boxed-tasting to deep, rich, and silky. I use Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chips because they melt smoothly and keep the pie from getting too sweet.
Brown sugar. Don't worry, it doesn't make it too sweet! A couple tablespoons of brown sugar give the chocolate a warm, almost caramel-y flavor that plain pudding just doesn't have.
Espresso powder and salt. You won't taste either, but they work in the background to enhance the chocolate flavor.

It's still fast and easy to make, with no oven or stovetop custard, and the fridge does most of the work.

🥧Graham Cracker Pudding Pie Ingredients

Homemade Graham Cracker Crust

no bake graham cracker crust ingredients.

This is optional, you can also use a store-bought graham cracker crust.

Graham cracker crumbs. Buy store-bought graham cracker crumbs or make your own. Use any flavor of graham crackers you love -- honey, cinnamon, or chocolate.
Melted butter. Melted butter holds the graham cracker crust together.
Brown sugar. Brown sugar sweetens the crust and helps it keep its shape.
Cinnamon. A little bit of cinnamon is absolutely delicious with chocolate, but it's totally optional.

Easy Chocolate Pie Filling

easy chocolate pudding pie with graham cracker crust ingredients.

Instant chocolate pudding mix. Chocolate or chocolate fudge instant Jello pudding mix brings the easy chocolate cream pie filling together in a snap.
Cold milk. Two cups of Whole milk or 2% milk turns instant pudding into a thick and creamy pudding pie filling.
Brown sugar. Just a little bit of brown sugar adds rich flavor to the chocolate pudding.
Espresso powder.Espresso powder amps up the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee. As a substitute, dissolve up to twice the amount of instant coffee crystals in the milk. You can also omit it.
Chocolate chips. Melted chocolate chips take the pie filling to the next level of chocolatiness and creaminess. I like Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips because they melt smoothly and the bittersweet flavor doesn't make the pie filling too sweet. You can also use a chopped chocolate bar.
Cool Whip. If you're not into Cool Whip, I get it. You can also use Truwhip or whipped cream.
Chocolate shavings. Garnish the top with super easy-to-make chocolate shavings.

🍪Recipe Variations

Spices. Add a dash of your favorite warm spices to the pie filling, like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, anise, or chai.
Flavor extracts. Instead of vanilla, try peppermint, almond, hazelnut, or coconut extract.
Cookie crust. Swap out graham crackers for gingersnaps or vanilla wafers. Or use a store-bought or homemade Oreo crust.
Toppings. Top the pie with mini chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, Brown Sugar Cinnamon Whipped Cream, Caramel Whipped Cream, or a drizzle of chocolate ganache.

🥣How to Make Chocolate Pudding Pie in a Graham Cracker Crust

no no bake graham cracker crust mixture in clear bowlgraham cracker crust ingredients in clear bowl.

Step 1: Make the graham cracker crust. Grind the graham crackers into fine crumbs with a food processor or ziptop bag and rolling pin.

Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.

no bake graham cracker crust in glass pan.

Step 2: Use a glass or measuring cup with a flat bottom to press the mixture into the pie plate. Be careful not to press too hard or the crust can become hard or stick to the pan.

Chill the crust in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or the freezer for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 15-second increments, stirring in between. Set aside.

Stir pudding mix, brown sugar, espresso powder, and salt in large bowl. Add milk and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low until incorporated, then medium for 2 minutes until smooth. Add melted chocolate to the pudding mixture, beat for another minute.

hand with spatula spreading pie filling in graham cracker crust.

Step 4: Pour or spoon ½ of the pudding pie filling into the graham cracker crust.

Spread the filling evenly with an offset spatula or knife.

hand with spatula spreading creamy pudding layer over pie filling.

Step 5: Fold ½ of the Cool Whip into the remaining chocolate pudding with a sturdy spatula until completely combined.

Do not use the mixer or stir too vigorously or the mixture can become runny.

Evenly spread the chocolate Cool Whip mixture over the pudding layer.

assembled pie topped with chocolate shavings.

Step 6: Spread the rest of the Cool Whip on top. If desired, use a vegetable peeler to make chocolate shavings with a bar of chocolate and sprinkle on top of the pie.

Chill at least 4 hours up to overnight to allow the pudding filling to completely set.

You can also freeze the pie and enjoy it as a frozen dessert. We love it that way!

piece of chocolate pudding pie with one bite removed on a white plate with a fork.

💡Chocolate Pudding Pie Tips

If the no bake graham cracker crust sticks to the pan, dip the pan in hot water for a few seconds, and it will easily release.
I prefer this pie recipe with a no-bake crust because it has a softer texture than a baked crust, which is nice with the creamy pudding filling. If you prefer a firmer crust, you can pre-bake the crust at 350 for 10 minutes and let it cool completely before adding the filling.
Fold in the Cool Whip until it is completely combined -- do not use the mixer or stir too vigorously, or the mixture can become runny.

🧊Storage, Freezing & Make Ahead Instructions

For the best texture, sift the powdered sugar.
If a crust forms while you're still using the glaze, just give it a stir.
To slightly thin the icing without adding more liquid, try warming it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.
If the icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar.

❓FAQs

Can you make chocolate pudding pies with instant Jello pudding?

Yes, that's exactly what this recipe does! The trick is using half the milk the box calls for, so the pudding sets up thick enough to slice.

Do I have to use Cool Whip in pudding pie filling?

No. You can also use homemade whipped cream or Truwhip, a whipped topping marketed as a "cleaner, more natural" alternative.

How do you thicken instant pudding for a no bake chocolate cream pie recipe?

To thicken pudding mixes for a pudding pie filling, use less milk than you would for pudding. This easy chocolate pudding pie recipe uses half the amount of milk called for on the box.

Should you bake a graham cracker crust before filling?

It depends on the filling and your preference. For this no bake pie, the graham cracker crust doesn't need to be baked. But if you prefer a firmer, crunchier crust, you definitely can bake it for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Just be sure to let it cool completely before adding the filling.

How long does Cool Whip last on pie?

Cool Whip is more stable than fresh whipped cream, and it also freezes well, so it will stay soft and fluffy on your pie whether you store it in the refrigerator or freezer.