Best 5 French Silk Pie Step By Step Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the velvety delight of French Silk Pie, a classic dessert that combines the richness of chocolate with a smooth and airy filling. This decadent pie features a chocolate cookie crust filled with a luscious chocolate mousse, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. With its irresistible texture and symphony of flavors, French Silk Pie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

This article provides a step-by-step guide to crafting this delectable treat, along with variations to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Explore the classic French Silk Pie recipe, featuring a dark chocolate mousse filling, a traditional chocolate cookie crust, and a garnish of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

For those seeking a lighter version, discover the healthier French Silk Pie recipe, which uses Greek yogurt and reduced-fat ingredients to create a guilt-free indulgence. This recipe also includes a gluten-free crust option, making it accessible to those with dietary restrictions.

If you're a fan of white chocolate, the white chocolate French Silk Pie recipe is a must-try. This variation features a creamy white chocolate mousse filling, a graham cracker crust, and a garnish of fresh berries. The combination of white chocolate and tangy berries creates a delightful balance of flavors.

For a unique twist, try the chocolate peanut butter French Silk Pie recipe. This decadent pie combines the classic chocolate mousse filling with a layer of creamy peanut butter mousse, creating a harmonious blend of chocolate and peanut butter flavors. The peanut butter mousse is made with a combination of peanut butter, cream cheese, and whipped cream, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.

No matter your preference, these French Silk Pie recipes offer a delightful treat for any occasion. Whether you're a chocolate lover, a fan of lighter desserts, or seeking a white chocolate or peanut butter twist, these recipes have something for everyone.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

FRENCH SILK PIE



French Silk Pie image

I first made French silk pie when I was in high school. Years later, I tinkered with the recipe until I was happy with it. Now it's one of my husband's favorites. -Lisa Francis, Elba, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
Optional: Whipped cream and chocolate curls

Steps:

  • Cut pie crust in half. Repackage and refrigerate 1 half for another use. On a lightly floured surface, roll out remaining half into an 8-in. circle. Transfer to a 7-in. pie plate; flute edge., Line shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 4 minutes. Remove foil; bake until crust is golden brown, about 2 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack., In a small saucepan, combine sugar and eggs until well blended. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 160° and coats the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat. Stir in chocolate and vanilla until smooth. Cool to lukewarm (90°), stirring occasionally. , In a small bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add cooled chocolate mixture; beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. , In another large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture. , Pour into crust. Chill for at least 6 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450 calories, Fat 33g fat (19g saturated fat), Cholesterol 139mg cholesterol, Sodium 223mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

FRENCH SILK PIE



French Silk Pie image

This French silk pie features my perfectly flaky pie crust, a smooth chocolate filling, and whipped cream on top. Read through the recipe and helpful notes before beginning.

Provided by Sally

Categories     Desserts

Time 8h

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 unbaked Flaky Pie Crust (what I used) or All Butter Pie Crust*
egg wash for pie crust: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk or heavy cream
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
two 4-ounce quality bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate bars (113g each), finely chopped*
4 large eggs
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
2 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar or granulated sugar*
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
optional for garnish: chocolate curls*

Steps:

  • I like to make sure my pie dough is prepared before I begin making this pie. Make pie dough the night before because it needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before rolling out and blind baking (next step).
  • On a floured work surface, roll out one of the discs of chilled dough (use the 2nd pie crust for another recipe!). Turn the dough about a quarter turn after every few rolls until you have a circle 12 inches in diameter. Carefully place the dough into a 9-inch pie dish. Tuck it in with your fingers, making sure it is completely smooth. To make a lovely thick edge, I do not trim excess dough around the edges. Instead, fold the excess dough back over the edge and use your hands to mold the edge into a nice thick rim around the pie. Crimp the edges with a fork or use your fingers to flute the edges. Carefully line the inside of the pie with two pieces of parchment paper or aluminum foil, as shown in the photos above, then pour in the pie weights. Make sure the weights are evenly distributed around the pie dish. Chill the dough in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 30 minutes- this helps prevent the crust from shrinking. (You can actually fill with pie weights before or after chilling, it doesn't make a difference.)
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
  • Bake the cold pie crust (with weights!) for 15 minutes. Remove pie from the oven and carefully lift the parchment paper/aluminum foil (with the weights) out of the pie. Prick all over the bottom of the pie crust with a fork, which is called "docking" the pie crust and helps prevent air bubbles. Brush the edges of the crust with egg wash. Return the crust to the oven and bake until golden brown, about 12-15 more minutes.
  • Cool pie crust completely. You can do this up to 3 days ahead of time. Cover cooled crust tightly and refrigerate until ready to fill.
  • Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Stiff peaks hold their peak shape and do not droop. Set whipped cream in the refrigerator (covered or uncovered, doesn't matter) until step 8. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate. You can melt it in a double boiler or the microwave. If using the microwave: place the chopped chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 20 second increments in the microwave, stopping and stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Set aside until the end of the next step.
  • Whisk eggs and sugar together in a heatproof bowl or the top piece of a double boiler. Place over a pot of simmering water (or the bottom part of your double boiler) on medium heat. Do not let the surface of simmering water touch the bottom of the heatproof bowl. Whisking constantly, cook the egg mixture until it reaches 160°F (71°C) on an instant read thermometer, about 10-11 minutes. Do not stop whisking or the eggs may solidify. If the steam gets too hot over your hand, use an oven mitt. Carefully remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. After cooling, slowly stir in the melted chocolate. To prevent curdling, cool for another 10 minutes before using in the next step.
  • Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat on medium-high speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl. With the mixer running on low speed, pour in the chocolate/egg mixture and then increase to medium-high speed and beat for 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, fold in the whipped cream until combined.
  • Spread filling into cooled pie crust. (A small offset spatula is helpful for this.) Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours or overnight until chilled and thickened. Pie may be refrigerated for up to 2 days before serving.
  • Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Medium peaks are between soft/loose peaks and stiff peaks and are the perfect consistency for topping and piping on desserts. Pipe or spread the whipped cream on top. Garnish with chocolate curls (see notes), if desired. Serve immediately or chill the pie uncovered up to a few hours.
  • Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

JEAN WEBSTER'S FRENCH SILK PIE



Jean Webster's French Silk Pie image

This smooth, rich dessert comes to us from Amanda Graff, who works in our test kitchen at the television studio. It's an old family recipe.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Pie & Tarts Recipes

Yield Makes one 9-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
1/3 cup pecan halves
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
Whipped cream, for serving
Chocolate curls, for serving

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9-inch pie plate; set aside. Grind pecans in a food processor, or chop very finely with a knife. In a medium bowl, combine flour, pecans, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press firmly into prepared pie plate. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  • Make the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. With machine running, gradually add melted chocolate and the vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating at medium speed for five minutes after each addition. Pour filling into cooled pie crust. Cover with plastic wrap, and transfer to the refrigerator to cool for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
  • Just before serving, top pie with whipped cream, and decorate with chocolate curls.

FRENCH SILK PIE



French Silk Pie image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 2h55m

Yield 1 pie

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 graham crackers (the 4-section large pieces)
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened but still cold
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs, cold
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Piece of semisweet chocolate, for grating

Steps:

  • For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Crush the crackers in a food processor or resealable bag. Pour them into a bowl and stir in the melted butter and sugar. Press into a pie pan and bake until golden and set, 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
  • For the filling: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the baking chocolate until stirrable (about 45 seconds on high). Set aside to cool.
  • It is important for the bowl and ingredients to be cold for the next stage of making the filling--to get the right texture and result. In a large chilled bowl with an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • When the melted chocolate is cooled, drizzle it over the butter/sugar mixture. Add the vanilla extract. Beat the mixture thoroughly until combined (on a stand mixer, you will be using the whisk attachment).
  • Turn your mixer to a medium speed and over a period of 15 to 20 minutes, add in the 4 cold eggs, one at a time, leaving about 5 minutes between each egg addition. Once the pie filling is well mixed, pour it into the baked pie shell, scraping every last speck of it out of the bowl. Smooth out the pie filling and place the pie in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours (preferably longer).
  • For the topping: Add the heavy cream and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip until it is stiff. Cover the pies with a thick layer of cream. Grate the semisweet chocolate over the top.

FRENCH SILK PIE



French Silk Pie image

A pie shop classic that's easily made at home. Give it a try with this easy-to-follow recipe!

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened (do not use margarine or vegetable oil spreads)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
3/4 cup fat-free cholesterol-free egg product
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated or powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate curls, if desired

Steps:

  • In medium bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
  • Gather pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
  • Heat oven to 475°F. With floured rolling pin, roll pastry into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. Prick bottom and side of pastry thoroughly with fork. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown; cool on cooling rack.
  • In medium bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar and the butter with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and the chocolate. Gradually beat in egg product on high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Pour into pie crust. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
  • In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Top pie with whipped cream; garnish with chocolate curls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420, Carbohydrate 35 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Fat 6, Fiber 2 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 250 mg, Sugar 22 g, TransFat 2 g

Tips:

  • Start with a high-quality chocolate. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the pie.
  • Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before you start. This will help them to incorporate more easily into the batter.
  • Don't overbeat the egg whites. You want them to be stiff, but not dry.
  • Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture gently. Over-mixing will deflate the egg whites and make the pie less fluffy.
  • Chill the pie for at least 4 hours before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the pie to set.
  • Serve the pie with fresh berries or whipped cream.

Conclusion:

French silk pie is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is rich, creamy, and chocolatey, with a light and fluffy filling. If you follow these tips, you can make a perfect French silk pie that will impress your friends and family.

Related Topics