Marie Callender's German Chocolate Pie - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

Marie Callender’s German Chocolate Pie has creamy chocolate filling loaded with coconut and pecans. Enjoy all the flavors of German Chocolate Cake in this delicious pie.

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German Chocolate History

Oddly enough, the name of this pudding and nut pie owes its origins, not to Germany, but to Samuel German of the Baker’s Chocolate Company headquartered outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

In the mid-1800s, Mr. German developed dark baking chocolate that gives this pie, and the more famous German Chocolate Cake, its characteristic color and flavor.

If you consider yourself a chocolate person and have never tried aGerman Chocolate Piebefore, you don’t know what you are missing.

What Makes aGerman Chocolate PieSo Good

The combination of flavors and textures of rich semisweet dark chocolate, shredded coconut, and nuts can’t be beaten. It’s one of the bestholiday pie recipesyou can bake because you can easily find all the ingredients during the winter months when fresh fruit is out of season.

What Makes This the Best German Chocolate Pie Recipe

There are many versions of German Chocolate Pies out there, and most of them aregood pies, but this recipe is much simpler while still managing to taste amazing.

The addition of the meringue topping, although not traditional, makes thiscoconut pecanGerman chocolate pieextra special and one of thebest pies to makefor potlucks and other gatherings.

German Chocolate Pie Recipe Ingredients

To make thisGerman Chocolate Pierecipe, you will need:

• 9-inchpastry pie shell
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Dark chocolate puddingmix (cooking, not instant)
• Whole milk for the pudding
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Whipped cream or Cool Whip topping

Optional Meringue Topping Ingredients

If you are opting for a meringue topping instead of whipped cream, you will also need:

• Egg whites
• Vanilla extract
• Cream of tartar
• Sugar

Ingredient Substitutions

While there are only a few ingredients in this recipe, you can make a couple of tweaks to make thisGerman Chocolate Pierecipestand out.

• Try swapping out the pastry crust for a pecan pie crust to increase the nut factor.
• Make your own whipped cream instead of buying it from the store for a slightly healthier and better-tasting option.

How to Make German Chocolate Pie

1. Blind bake the empty pie crust with pie weights according to the instructions on the package.
2. Once the pie crust is out of the oven but still hot, spread a thin layer of chocolate chips on the bottom of the pie crust. Keep any leftover chips to use later. The hot crust should slightly melt the chocolate chips, but if not, pop the pie crust back in the oven for a minute or so until the chips begin to soften.

3. Cook the pudding according to the directions on the package.
4. Just before you are about to take the chocolate mixture off the heat, stir the coconut and nuts into the pudding. Remember to reserve some coconut and nuts for garnishing the pie.
5. Carefully pour the still-warm pudding into the pie crust.

6. Allow the pudding to set up in the refrigerator.

If you want to top your pie with meringue, do not chill the pie in the fridge. Proceed immediately to making the meringue (see instructions below).

7. Spread a heavy layer of whipped cream on top.
8. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts on the whipped cream as a garnish.

CopyKat Tip: For a restaurant effect, use a cake decorating bag with a tip to pipe the whipped topping on the pie.

Meringue Topping Instead of Whipped Cream

The meringue topping is a bit of extra work, but once you taste it, you’ll know it was well worth the effort:

1. Use a stand mixer or a whisk to beat the egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
2. Add the sugar slowly to the bowl and continue to beat the egg whites until they reach stiff, glossy peaks and the sugar dissolves. Be careful not to overwhip.
3. Use a spatula to spread the meringue over the warm pudding.
4. Bake the pie at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.
5. Let the pie cool on a wire rack, then chill in the fridge.
6. Once cold, sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts on top and serve.

How to ServeGerman Chocolate Pie

Good piesdon’t need much. Just slice and serve with a tall glass of cold milk or maybe a cup of coffee.

How to Store LeftoverGerman Chocolate Pie

Pies with pudding don’t do too well in the freezer, but you can keep this pie in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To prevent the pie from drying out, cover it well with loose plastic wrap or, better yet, put it in a pie keeper.

More Marie Callender’s Pie Copycat Recipes

• Banana Cream Pie
• Black Bottom Pie
• Blueberry Sour Cream Pie
• Coconut Cream Pie

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Check out more of my easy pie recipes and the best casual dining restaurant recipes here on CopyKat!

This recipe was generously donated by Sharon Powell.