Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe with Instant Pudding

I wanted to try something good, so I made a chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding, which is an easy chocolate dessert.

And you probably have seen many instant pudding pie recipes that are labelled “easy” or “no bake”, but they are plain, basic, or just average. 

But this is the next level pudding because it has a luxurious, thick filling, deep chocolate flavor, velvety bite, and fluffy top.

It is kind of a chocolate pudding pie that you can even serve to your guests.

This chocolate creamy pie is made with instant chocolate pudding as the base (which is a smart move, not lazy)

But the trick that I will share with you will turn this pudding into something else. It won’t feel boxed or short-cutted at all. You will just love it.

 

What Makes This Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe the Best?

There are many reasons why you can make this chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding, but let me just tell you some important ones. 

The first reason is that you will not need milk and pudding mix. 

You will follow simple steps like fold in rich whipped cream, you will use vanilla and salt to enhance flavor. And use dark chocolate for richness.

Crust is very important, so you won’t have to use a soft or soggy crust. I’ll show you how you can make and use a buttery Oreo cookie crust to hold shape and stay firm.

Third, I like topping, which I’m sure you will like too. You’ll have to use homemade whipped cream (If you don’t have this, I’ll tell you which one to use).  

Lastly, the pie chills perfectly and doesn’t fall apart when sliced, so you won’t have to face the “Pudding-in-crust” situation.

Also read: Cottage Cheese Chocolate Pudding with Chia Seeds Recipe

Ingredients for Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe with Instant Pudding

Here are the exact ingredients I use to get the best texture and flavor. Besides this, I will give you some premium suggestions too, because they really make a difference.

For the Crust:

• 24 Oreo cookies (you don’t need to remove the filling)
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Optional: You can add a pinch of sea salt to the crust mix to balance the sweetness.

For the Filling:

• 2 (3.9 oz) boxes instant chocolate pudding mix: I recommend you use Jell-O, but Godiva and Ghirardelli instant puddings work great too, if you want a premium flavor.
• 2 ½ cups whole milk: You need this less than usual for a thicker, creamier texture.
• ½ cup heavy cream: It will add richness that water or milk alone won’t give.
• ½ cup high-quality melted dark chocolate: I would prefer Lindt 70% or Callebaut dark chocolate for a deep, real chocolate boost.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: You can use pure vanilla, not imitation.
• Pinch of salt: This tiny amount will round out the entire flavor.
• 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping: You can use homemade or Cool Whip, both are good. But first, I prefer homemade for a softer finish.

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Optional toppings:

• Chocolate curls, cocoa powder, crushed cookies, chocolate shavings, raspberries, or even espresso powder for a dusted top.

 

How to Make a Firm and Buttery Chocolate Pie Crust

If you want a crust that tastes like dessert and also doesn’t fall apart when you cut the pie, this is the thing you wanna follow:

1. Crush the Oreos in a food processor or zip bag; you can use a rolling pin to ground when using the zip bag.
2. Mix with melted butter until it looks like wet sand.
3. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie dish or any other one that is available, but make sure to push up the sides a little.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, then let it cool completely. (You can skip baking, but baking will help your creamy pudding pie firm up better for slicing.)
5. You should chill while preparing the filling. This will make it sturdy and hold the rich filling better.

Also read: Chocolate Protein Pudding Greek Yogurt Recipe

How to Make Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe with Instant Pudding

Here is my method, how I make a chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding:

Step 1: Melt the Dark Chocolate

Firstly, you wanna take a small microwave-safe bowl, put your dark chocolate into that, and melt it in 20-second intervals.

Make sure to stir until smooth. 

Let it cool slightly but not harden. 

This will add a luxurious depth to your pie that regular pudding mix can’t offer.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Pudding Base

In another large mixing bowl, whisk the following ingredients together:

• 2 pudding mixes
• 2 ½ cups cold milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Melted dark chocolate
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Whisk until they are smooth and thick. This process will take around 2 to 3 minutes with a hand whisk or mixer.

Let it sit for 5 minutes to make it thicker. 

It should be silky but not runny. If it’s too thick, you can add a tablespoon of milk at a time.

Step 3: Fold in Whipped Cream

Now, take whipped topping and fold it into the pudding mixture. 

However, you have to not beat or whisk. 

Folding will keep the mixture airy and give your pudding a mousse-like creaminess. And, the texture should be thick, smooth, and spoonable.

Step 4: Fill the Pie Crust & Chill

Finally, you have to pour the filling into the cooled Oreo crust. And smooth the top with a spatula. 

You’ll see how creamy and rich it looks already.

Now place the pie in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but I personally like overnight for chilling. 

This chilling time will help the pie set completely and deepen the flavors.

 

How to Make the Silkiest Whipped Cream Topping

After putting your pie in the fridge for around 6 hours to chill, you will make this soft, silky whipped cream topping. Here is how:

1. Take a chilled bowl, pour 1 cup of heavy cream.
2. Add 2 tbsp powdered sugar and ½ tsp vanilla extract.
3. Beat with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. But also don’t over-whip.

Once the pie is fully set, you can top it with this whipped cream in soft waves or swirls. 

• Besides this, you can also use a piping bag if you want to make it look fancy for guests.

 

Optional Toppings That Make It Look Premium

You can leave your chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding plain. 

Because even without toppings, it tastes delicious. However, adding some of these toppings will elevate the whole look and feel:

• Chocolate curls (use a peeler on a chocolate bar)
• Dusting of cocoa powder or espresso powder
• Shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips
• Fresh raspberries or strawberries on the edge
• Drizzle of chocolate ganache or caramel

Also read: Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding with Almond Milk Recipe

Texture Tips: How to Make It Slice Perfectly

If you have made chocolate pies in the past and they fell apart or looked like pudding blobs when sliced, you need to remember these important things:

• Don’t add too much milk, you wanna stick to the 2 ½ cup mark or less.
• You want to allow your chocolate cream pie to chill long enough, at least 6 hours minimum, I recommend overnight.
• You should use a sharp, hot knife to slice. You can dip it in warm water and wipe it clean between each slice.
• You want to chill the whole pie again after adding the whipped topping for another 30 minutes before serving. That will keep everything better.

 

Customization Ideas to Try

If you find a chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding delicious, you may want to make it again.  So, in such cases, you shouldn’t repeat the same version. 

You can change it just by changing or adding one or two ingredients. Here are some spins I recommend you try:

Mocha Cream Pie:

You can add 1 tsp of espresso powder into your pudding mix if you want a grown-up coffee-chocolate combo.

White Chocolate Layer:

You have to melt white chocolate and swirl it into the filling for a marbled pie or layer it halfway through.

Peanut Butter Swirl:

Add spoonfuls of peanut butter to your pudding before chilling and swirl with a toothpick. And, top it with crushed peanut butter cups.

Vegan Version:

For a vegan version, you will need to use dairy-free pudding mix, almond milk (2 cups instead of 2.5), vegan whipped cream, and crushed vegan cookies for the crust. 

Ingredients would be different, but the taste still would be good.

 

What to Serve with Chocolate Cream Pie

This pie is rich, creamy, and sweet, so here are some things that will go really well with it:

• Cold brew or espresso: The bitterness of strong coffee will taste good with pie sweetness.
• Salted pretzels or roasted nuts: Sweet + salty combo also never fails.
• Raspberry coulis or fresh berries: Bright and tart, they add freshness to each bite.
• Glass of milk: Because sometimes, simple is perfect.

 

Nutrition Breakdown (Per Slice – Approximate)

The real nutrition value will depend on the brand and your ingredients, but here’s a rough idea based on my recipe:

• Calories: 350–420
• Sugar: 30–35g
• Fat: 20–25g
• Protein: 4–6g
• Carbs: 35–40g

If you want to keep your chocolate cream pie light, you need to use low-fat milk, coconut whipped topping, or reduce the sugar in the topping. However, the original version is worth every bite if you ask me.

 

Conclusion

This isn’t just regular chocolate pudding pie — this is the best chocolate cream pie with instant pudding that you’ll ever make. 

It’s rich, creamy, mousse-like, and feels like you bought it from a high-end bakery, not your own fridge. 

I like its deep chocolate flavor, the thick but silky texture, and the way it slices perfectly without falling apart.

All these things make this chocolate cream pie better than 90% of what’s out there in stores. 

Plus, it’s highly customizable, so if you make it again in the future, you won’t have to stick to the same level; you can make it fancy, casual, kid-friendly, or holiday-worthy, and try a few other versions.

So, if you’ve ever made a pudding pie before and felt like it was “just okay,” now try this version once. 

You’ll know exactly why this one is different.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few questions and their answers regarding the chocolate cream pie recipe with instant pudding:

Why is my chocolate pudding pie runny or not setting properly?

It happens when you don’t chill enough. You need to keep this chocolate cream pie pudding in the fridge for about 6 hours, I prefer overnight. 

Besides this, adding too much milk might also be the reason, especially in the creamy one, you won’t need too much milk like other regular pudding recipes.

Can I make this pie ahead of time for parties or holidays?

Yes, you can make this easy chocolate pie in advance, like 24 hours before serving. Just cover it properly when keeping it in the fridge. 

Plus, don’t add the whipped cream topping until the last 2–3 hours before serving. By doing so, you will have a fresh and fluffy pie.

Can I use a different crust instead of an Oreo?

Yes, you can use the different ones like a graham cracker crust, shortbread crust, or even a baked pie shell. 

But you want to make sure it’s fully cooled before pouring the filling in. 

That way, the bottom will stay crisp and firm instead of soggy.