Indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of Southern Fudge Pie – an effortless, crustless delight that promises pure bliss with every bite. Crafted from simple pantry staples like chocolate, sugar, flour, butter, eggs, and pecans, this homemade dessert is a timeless classic reimagined for modern kitchens.
The Ultimate Southern Fudge Pie Recipe: A Chocolate Lover’s Dream
For those who cherish deep, decadent chocolate, the Southern Fudge Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. This easy, homemade chocolate pie stands out not only for its rich flavor but also for its unique, crustless design. Imagine a luscious, fudgy interior encased in its own perfectly crisp, slightly chewy edge – all without the fuss of preparing a traditional pie crust. It’s a revelation for any chocoholic and a testament to Southern comfort food at its finest. Each slice cuts beautifully, revealing a dense, moist texture that melts in your mouth, leaving a lingering taste of pure cocoa satisfaction. Best served warm, perhaps with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream, this pie transforms any occasion into a celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Your Guide to Perfect Southern Fudge Pie
While you certainly could opt for a traditional pie crust, it’s genuinely not necessary for this Southern Fudge Pie. A defining characteristic of this recipe is that the batter bakes up to create its own wonderfully crisp, slightly caramelized edge, forming a natural ‘crust’ that perfectly holds the fudgy filling together. Embracing its crustless nature simplifies the baking process and highlights the intense chocolate flavor and unique texture, making it distinctly different and equally delicious without a conventional crust.
Knowing when your fudge pie is done is key to achieving that ideal fudgy texture. The outer edge of the pie should appear set and slightly domed, while the center should be firm to the touch with only a slight jiggle, much like a perfectly baked brownie. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to a dry pie. If the center still appears visibly loose or liquid, allow it a few more minutes in the oven, checking frequently. The internal temperature, if you use a thermometer, should register around 200-205°F (93-96°C).
Absolutely! Southern Fudge Pie is an excellent make-ahead dessert, making it perfect for entertaining or meal prepping. You can bake it the day before, allowing it to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out, and then refrigerate. When ready to serve, you can bring it to room temperature for a softer texture or warm it slightly in a low oven (around 250°F / 120°C) for about 10-15 minutes to enhance its gooey, fudgy quality.
Pecans add a classic Southern touch and a delightful crunch to this fudge pie. However, if pecans aren’t your preference or readily available, several substitutions work beautifully. Chopped walnuts are an excellent alternative, offering a similar texture and earthy flavor. For a smoother texture or if you have nut allergies, you can simply omit the nuts altogether. Alternatively, try adding mini chocolate chips for an extra chocolate boost, or even a sprinkle of toasted shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Southern Fudge Pie truly shines when adorned with complementary toppings. A classic pairing is a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, which creates a delightful hot-and-cold contrast. Whipped cream is another fantastic option, offering a light, airy counterpoint to the pie’s richness. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle Hershey’s chocolate syrup or a homemade caramel sauce over the top. A sprinkle of additional chopped pecans, a few fresh raspberries, or a dusting of cocoa powder can also elevate its presentation and flavor profile.
To maintain its freshness and rich flavor, any leftover Southern Fudge Pie should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will remain delicious for up to 3-4 days. While it’s delightful served warm, many also enjoy this pie chilled straight from the fridge, offering a firmer, almost candy-like texture. If warming, a quick zap in the microwave for 15-30 seconds per slice can bring back some of its gooey tenderness.
Freezing is generally not recommended for this particular Southern Fudge Pie recipe. The unique fudgy texture, which is a hallmark of this dessert, tends to change significantly after freezing and thawing. The pie can become grainy or lose its desirable moistness, diminishing its signature quality. For best results and to fully appreciate its intended texture and flavor, it’s best to enjoy this pie fresh or after refrigeration, as detailed in the make-ahead and storage tips.
Essential Ingredients for Your Southern Fudge Pie
Crafting this delectable Southern Fudge Pie requires a few simple, high-quality ingredients. For the complete measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.
- Salted Butter: Provides richness and helps create that wonderful fudgy texture. Using salted butter balances the sweetness beautifully, but unsalted butter with a pinch of salt can also work.
- Unsweetened Chocolate Squares: The heart of our pie! Opt for good quality unsweetened chocolate for the deepest, most authentic chocolate flavor without added sugars.
- Large Eggs: Act as a binder, giving the pie its structure and contributing to its smooth, custard-like consistency.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the rich chocolate and helps create the crisp top layer.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just a small amount is needed to give the pie its body and prevents it from being too runny.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor, adding a warm, aromatic depth to the pie. Pure vanilla extract is always recommended for best results.
- Chopped Pecans: A classic Southern addition, providing a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Remember, you can explore alternatives as suggested in our FAQ section above.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Southern Fudge Pie
Creating this divine Southern Fudge Pie is surprisingly straightforward, yielding impressive results with minimal effort. Follow these steps for a perfect, crustless chocolate masterpiece.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch pie plate by lightly spraying it with a nonstick cooking spray. This ensures your crustless pie releases easily and prevents sticking.
In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the salted butter and unsweetened chocolate squares. Place the saucepan over low heat and gently cook, stirring frequently, until both the butter and chocolate have completely melted and are smoothly combined. Once melted, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly. This step is crucial for achieving a uniform, glossy chocolate base.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the large eggs at medium speed for a full 5 minutes. This prolonged beating incorporates air into the eggs, which contributes to the pie’s light yet fudgy texture and helps create that desirable crispy edge. The eggs should appear pale yellow and slightly frothy.
With the mixer still running at medium speed, gradually add the granulated sugar to the beaten eggs. Continue beating until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and blended. This process further aerates the batter and ensures the sugar dissolves properly, preventing a grainy texture.
Next, gradually pour the slightly cooled melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Beat on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; you just want to ensure the chocolate is evenly distributed.
Finally, add the all-purpose flour and vanilla extract to the chocolate batter. Beat on low speed until all ingredients are just blended and no streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten too much and result in a tough pie.
If you are using a stand mixer, it’s particularly important to pause and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl frequently during the mixing process. This ensures that all ingredients are thoroughly combined and no pockets of unmixed batter are left, guaranteeing an evenly textured and flavored pie.
Gently fold in 1/2 cup of the chopped pecans using a spatula. This ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the fudgy batter, providing a pleasant crunch in every bite.
Pour the prepared batter into your greased 9-inch pie plate. Carefully transfer the pie plate to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The pie is done when the center appears firm, with just a slight give, and the edges are set and lightly puffed.
Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This cooling period is essential for the pie to set properly and develop its ultimate fudgy texture. Once cool, slice into generous portions and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a sprinkle of the remaining chopped pecans for garnish. Enjoy every irresistible bite!
Craving More Delicious Dessert Recipes?
If the irresistible allure of this Southern Fudge Pie has left you desiring more sweet sensations, you’re in luck! Explore our other cherished dessert recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your loved ones.
- No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie
- Millionaire Pie
- Classic Chocolate Cream Pie
- Easy No-Bake Banoffee Pie
- Fluffy Southern Pound Cake
Originally published: August 2012
Updated and republished: April 2019
Southern Fudge Pie
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10 minutes
40 minutes
50 minutes
6
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter
- 3 (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate squares
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped pecans, divided use
- Toppings: vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small saucepan, over low heat, cook butter and chocolate. Stirring often until melted (then take off heat).
- Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric or stand mixer for 5 minutes.
- Gradually add sugar, beating until blended.
- Then gradually add chocolate mixture.
- Then add flour and vanilla extract, beating until blended.
- If you’re using a stand mixer, it’s important that you continually scrape down the sides so everything mixes evenly.
- Stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
- Pour into pie plate. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes. The center should be firm when finished.
- Let pie cool completely. Then slice and serve with ice cream, chocolate syrup and remaining chopped pecans.
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Notes
- For additional tips, substitutions, and answers to common questions, please refer to our detailed FAQ section and ingredient list provided above. These resources offer valuable insights to help you perfect your Southern Fudge Pie!
Dessert
American
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a registered dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is provided as an estimate only. If precise calorie counts and other nutritional values are crucial for your dietary needs, we strongly recommend calculating the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Please note that calorie and other nutritional values can vary significantly based on the specific brands and exact quantities of ingredients used.
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