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Easy Chocolate Mini Pies Recipe (French Silk)

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These chocolate mini pies are a make-ahead and freezer-friendly dessert. Made with real melted chocolate, in traditional French Silk pie style, these pies have a toffee graham cracker crust and are easily made in muffin cups. 

I’ll show you how to easily make this traditional French Silk filling, which uses raw eggs, and I have a cooked alternative if you prefer not to cook them. Either way, you will end up with a delicious dessert.

Mini French Silk chocolate cream pies.

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” right under the title of this post, and you’ll head straight there!

Why You Will Love these Mini Chocolate Pies

  • Feed a Crowd | Everyone loves a mini dessert and this mini chocolate cream pies recipe is sure to please every chocolate lover!
  • Make Ahead | I love desserts that I can make ahead and forget about until serving! Freeze or keep in fridge!
  • Real Ingredients | No Cool Whip, no cocoa powder or heavy cream, light, flavorful, and full of real chocolate flavor!

Simple Ingredients for Chocolate Mini Pies

Toffee Graham Cracker Crust

Take the fussiness out of mini pies by making this quick and simple graham cracker crust; no pie shell or pastry is needed. 

  • Graham Crackers | Use regular or gluten-free graham crackers here; graham cracker crust and French silk pie go hand and hand!
  • Butter | Use the real stuff; nothing soft out of the fridge. Salted or unsalted is fine!
  • Heath Bar Bits o’ Brickle | Toffee bits a lovely toffee flavor to the crust! If desired, these may be left out. 

Fresh Tips

  • Instead of making homemade pie crusts, you may purchase mini graham cracker crusts and fill them with the creamy mixture. 
Heath toffee bits measured out.

French Silk Chocolate Mini Pie Filling Ingredients

We will whip up these mini chocolate tarts using basic ingredients in no time. 

  • Chocolate | We use Bittersweet and Semi-Sweet chocolate in these pies! For best results, use real chocolate bars, like Ghirardelli or Baker’s chocolate.
  • Eggs | I use large eggs in my baking, brought to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Use pasteurized eggs to limit the chance of food born illness.
  • Butter | Again, use the real stuff! Quality of your ingredients matter in this recipe.
  • Powdered Sugar | Also called icing sugar and confectioners sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract | Give your mini pies recipe a punch of flavor with real vanilla extract.
  • Espresso Powder | This is optional but brings out the flavor of the chocolate!
Ghirardelli chocolate packages near melted chocolate.

Is it safe to eat raw eggs?

Many people believe eating French Silk pie is unsafe due to the raw eggs in the chocolate cream filling. Pasteurized eggs dramatically limit the possibility of contracting salmonella when eating foods with raw eggs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends using pasteurized eggs if you consume raw eggs. These eggs have been heated up enough to kill the Salmonella bacteria that was potentially inside.

If you are still concerned about consuming mini pies with raw eggs, see how to make French silk mini pies using no raw eggs.

Are raw eggs good for you?

According to WebMD, raw eggs are rich in protein and other micronutrients. The fatty acids they have can help your metabolism. They contain most essential amino acids; one egg provides 27% of the daily choline requirements. 

4 eggs cracked into a prep bowl.
USA Bakeware pans, set.

How to make Chocolate Mini Pies

Step 1 | Make the mini pie crusts

Make and bake the graham cracker crust first, cooling completely. This may be done up to a day ahead.

Preheat the oven to 325° F (165° C). In the bowl of a food processor, toss in graham crackers (broken by hand) and pulse until fine crumbs. 

Toss in the toffee bits, sugar, and salt and pulse until combined. Pour in melted butter, pulsing until moistened.

Gluten-free graham crackers may easily be substituted for a totally gluten-free dessert.

Place paper or silicone cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin or try using a mini muffin tin for even mini-er chocolate pies!

Using a medium cookie scoop (or a heaping tablespoon), scoop the crumb mixture in the bottom of the cupcake liners.

Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a spice jar and press down to pack the graham cracker crumb mixture. Bake for about 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Place in fridge or freezer to speed up cooling process if needed.

No Food Processor?

  • No problem, place all of the graham cracker crust ingredients in a ziplock baggie (except the butter) and crush using a rolling pin or heavy jar or bottle until fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter.
  • This recipe makes 16-18 mini pies in a regular cupcake tin.

Step 2 | Make French Silk Chocolate Pie Filling

Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl (microwave-safe). Heat in microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well between each heating (the chocolate will continue melting out of the micro), repeat heating and stirring until fully melted. Won’t take longer than 45-60 seconds.

Set aside and cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter for 1-2 minutes on medium-high, then scrape down the sides. 

Add powdered sugar and cream on medium-high for 1-2 minutes; scrape down sides once in between.

Pour the (cooled) melted chocolate over the creamed butter and sugar mixture and beat on medium-low speed until thoroughly combined. Scrape down the sides.

Add vanilla, koserh salt and espresso powder; beat until incorporated. Scrape the sides of bowl.

Here’s where it gets fun! Grab your room-temperature eggs*.

ROOM TEMP EGG TIP *If you forgot to bring your eggs to room temperature when you start the recipe, gently immerse your eggs in a bowl of warm (not hot) water and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.

Switch to your whisk attachment, then add one egg at a time and beat on medium speed for 5 minutes, yup FIVE minutes – per egg! Don’t shortchange this process, this is what makes the mixture so mouthwatering and silky smooth! Like a mousse, only creamier!

Scrape down sides in between each egg addition.

Add egg one at a time and whisk 5 minutes per egg.
Add egg one at a time and whisk 5 minutes per egg.

Fresh Tip

  • This can be made using a hand mixer. My hand got tired from holding it for 20 minutes, but the mixture still turned out silky smooth.

Step 3 | Assemble Mini Chocolate Pies

Next, scoop a heaping 1/4 cup of French silk pie filling using a large cookie scoop and carefully place it on the cooled graham mini crusts.

Your choice: keep the tops rounded or smooth the tops evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably 6 hours before serving.

Serve with a vanilla whipped cream dollop and garnish with some chocolate shavings and if desired, maybe some fresh fruit or berries.

If you love a delectable dessert, you will love our Apple Crisp Cookie Cups, Chocolate Lava Cakes, and our uber-famous Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

Variations or Substitutions

  • Oreo Crust | Make my easy Oreo cookie crust instead, omitting the Heath bits – you do not need to bake the Oreo crust. 
  • Use a Pastry Crust | If you prefer a more traditional French Silk pie in flaky crust, use a refrigerated pie crust or try my homemade 3 ingredient butter pie crust. Use a cookie or biscuit cutter and press into the muffin tin or mini pie pans for mini pie crusts. Blind band ake according to package directions, cool completely before filling. 
  • Mint Chocolate French Silk Pie | Add a few drops of peppermint extract or use crushed peppermint candies to give your pie a refreshing minty twist.
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Pies | Swirl in a layer of creamy peanut butter into the chocolate filling, or create a peanut butter cookie crust for a delicious combination of flavors.
  • White Chocolate French Silk Pie | Use white chocolate chips or white chocolate baking bars instead of dark chocolate for a milder, sweeter variation.
  • Caramel French Silk Pie | Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of your pie or mix some into the chocolate filling for a rich caramel-chocolate combo.
  • Chocolate Ganache | Pour a smooth layer of chocolate ganache over the pie crust and cool before adding French silk filling for an extra decadent touch.
  • Mini Chocolate Pecan Pies | Add chopped pecans to the graham cracker crust ¼ cup and if desired, sprinkle some toasted chopped pecans (cooled) on the graham cracker crust before adding the creamy filling.

Gluten-Free French Silk Pie

Make a gluten-free pie crust using gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free cookies or even the new Gluten-free Oreos.

Whole French Silk Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

If preferred to make a whole pie or French Silk pie bars. 

Press the graham cracker crust into an 8″ pie plate or 8×8 inch square baking dish. Bake the crust for 10 minutes and allow to cool completely. Fill with the French Silk pie filling and refrigerate as directed.

Mini chocolate pies in cupcake liners dressed up for Christmas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any special equipment to make these mini pies?

Nope, just basic kitchen tools! You’ll need a mixer to whip up that silky chocolate filling, but other than that, it’s a straightforward process.

Can I make these pies without raw eggs?

Certainly! I understand some may have concerns about using raw eggs. You can use pasteurized eggs or egg substitute products to ensure safety while achieving that silky texture. See below for an alternative recipe using a cooked egg mixture.

What’s the secret to getting that perfect silky texture?

The key is patience and thorough whipping. Make sure to beat the filling for the full 5 minutes per egg addition. It’s worth the effort! No cheating!

Mini chocolate pie on small pedestal for serving.

How to Make French Silk Mini Pies without Eggs

If you are worried about using raw eggs, you can make a delicious pie using a different method, note you are no longer making a traditional French silk pie. However, the recipe varies slightly in process and ingredients. Greater details are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. 

  • 1 1/3 cups (266 grams) granulated sugar (I like cane sugar)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 4 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate and 4 ounces semi-sweet, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups heavy cream, cold
  • 4 teaspoons powdered sugar
  1. Melt the chocolate as directed above, and set aside to cool while you heat the eggs. 
  2. Use an electric mixer to beat the whipping cream in a clean bowl until it thickens. Add the powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Place in fridge until ready to use.
  3. In a small saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar and eggs. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture reaches 160°F and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla until smooth. Cool to just warm, stirring occasionally.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add in the cooled chocolate mixture, then beat on high speed for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
  5. Fold into the chocolate mixture until just combined and spoon or scoop into the mini pie shells, chill for a minimum of 3 hours, 6 is preferred.

I modified A Farmgirl’s Dabbles original recipe using muffin pans instead of an 8×8 pan.

How to make quick chocolate curls

Using a vegetable peeler, starting about halfway on the chocolate bar, “peel” away from you, applying pressure on the peeler for the size shavings or curls that you want, the heavier the pressure the thicker the curls, the lighter pressure, the lighter the shavings.

Making chocolate curls and shavings using a vegetable peeler.

Storage Tips

Store the chocolate mini pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions

The graham cracker pie crust can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

The chocolate pie recipe may be frozen (before adding whipped cream topping). Place on a baking sheet in the freezer for one hour to flash freeze, then place in an airtight container or baggie or cover well with plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before topping with whipped cream.

Unwrapped silky smooth mini French Silk pie with graham cracker crust.

Try these other decadent but EASY CHOCOLATE treats

ROOM TEMP EGG TIP *If you forgot to bring your eggs to room temperature, when you start the recipe, gently immerse your eggs in a bowl of warm (not hot) water and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.

Mini Pies recipe, French Silk mini pies with graham cracker crust to pin.

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Mini French Silk chocolate cream pies.

Easy Chocolate Mini Pies Recipe (French Silk)

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 11 votes
Chocolate Mini Pies is a make-ahead, no-bake, and freezer-friendly. Made with real melted chocolate, in French Silk pie style, these pies have a toffee graham cracker crust and are easily made in muffin cups. 
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes
Course Dessert, Mini dessert, Sweets
Cuisine American, French
Servings 16 -18 servings
Calories 292 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crusts

  • 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, about one sleeve of graham crackers, 18 squares (Gluten Free grahams are easily substituted and taste delicious)
  • 1 tablespoon cane sugar, white sugar is fine
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup toffee bits, I used Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits and the [Bits ‘O Brickle]
  • 5 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted (I’ve used both salted and unsalted butter)

French Silk Pie Filling (see notes for how to make without raw eggs)

  • 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, [I used Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Bar], rough chopped
  • 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, I used [Ghirardelli Semi Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar], rough chopped
  • 1 cup butter, softened (salted or unsalted work)
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional, but so good
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs, pasteurized, at room temp*

Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

  • 1 cup heavy whipped cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract

Instructions
 

GRAHAM TOFFEE CRUST (Gluten-Free Option)

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F (165° C). In the bowl of a food processor,* toss graham crackers (roughly broken with hands) and pulse until they are medium crumbs. Toss in your toffee bits, sugar and salt and pulse until a fine crumb.
    Gluten free graham crackers may easily be substituted! Pour in melted butter and pulse until combined.
  • For individual mini pies, place cupcake liners in in muffin tins (it will make about 16-18) Using a medium cookie scoop (or a heaping tablespoon) scoop crumb mixture in bottom of the cupcake liners. Press down using the bottom of a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a spice jar. Bake for about 8 minutes (mini pies) and 10 minutes for 8×8 pan or shallow pie plate. Remove to cooling rack and cool completely. Place in fridge or freezer if you need to hurry the cooling process along.

French Silk Pie Filling

  • In a small microwave safe bowl, slowly melt your chopped chocolate. Heating in 30 second increments; stir between each heating (the chocolate will continue melting out of the micro as you stir), repeat heating and stirring until fully melted. Careful not to scorch your chocolate! Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter for 1 minute on medium-high, then scrape down the sides. Add powdered sugar and cream on medium-high for 1-2 minutes, scrape down sides. Pour the cooled chocolate (cooled; beat until incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
    Switch to your whisk attachment (see TIP***), add one egg at a time, and beat on medium speed for 5 minutes each, yes FIVE minutes per egg! Don't shortchange this process, this is what makes the mixture so silky smooth. Scrape sides between each egg addition.
  • If making in cupcake pan; using a large cookie scoop, scoop a heaping (about 1/4 cup) of silk pie filling and carefully place on top of the cooled graham mini crusts. Keep rounded or smooth out the tops, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or more before serving. Serve with a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream and garnish with some chocolate shavings.

Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

  • Pour 1 cup of whipping cream into the bowl of a stand mixer, using a whisk attachment, beat whip cream until stiff peaks form. Add 2-3 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, and continue to beat until thickened, rich and creamy. If desired, scoop into a piping bag or baggie, snip off about 1 inch of the end, and swirl onto tops of mini pies.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

*No Food Processor? Place graham crackers in a gallon sized ziplock baggie and crush them using a rolling pin or heavy bottle.Pour into a bowl and pour in the melted butter, mixing until moistened.
Gluten-free French Silk Mini Pies | Make a gluten-free pie crust using gluten-free graham crackers, gluten-free cookies or even the new Gluten-free Oreos. Or purchase a gluten-free pastry pie crust dough and blind bake in muffin tins. 
Or simply just refrigerate portions of the French silk pie batter without the crust. 
Whole French Silk Pie with Graham Cracker Crust | Press the graham cracker crust into an 8″ pie plate or 8×8 inch square baking dish. Bake the crust for 10 minutes and allow to cool completely. Fill with the French Silk pie filling and refrigerate as directed.
How to Make French Silk Mini Pies without Eggs
    • 1 1/3 cups (266 grams) granulated sugar (I like cane sugar)
    • 4 large eggs, room temperature
    • 4 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate and 4 ounces semi-sweet, melted
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
    • 1 1/3 cups heavy cream, cold
    • 4 teaspoons powdered sugar
  1. Melt the chocolate as directed above, and set aside to cool while you heat the eggs. 
  2. Use an electric mixer to beat the whipping cream in a clean bowl until it thickens. Add the powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Place in fridge until ready to use.
  3. Whisk together the granulated sugar and eggs in a small saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture reaches 160°F and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla until smooth. Cool to just warm, stirring occasionally.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add in the cooled chocolate mixture, then beat on high speed for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
  5. Fold whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until just combined and spoon or scoop into the mini pie shells, chill for a minimum of 3 hours, 6 is preferred.
**TIP | To quickly bring eggs to room temp; immerse your eggs in a bowl of warm (not hot) water and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
How to Make Chocolate Shavings or Curls | Using a vegetable peeler, starting about halfway on the chocolate bar, “peel” away from you, applying pressure on the peeler for the size shavings or curls that you want, the heavier the pressure the thicker the curls lighter pressure will yield light shavings.
Recipe modified from A Farmgirl’s Dabbles

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 292 kcal Carbohydrates: 23 g Protein: 3 g Fat: 21 g Saturated Fat: 13 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 92 mg Sodium: 207 mg Potassium: 79 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 18 g Vitamin A: 588 IU Vitamin C: 0.01 mg Calcium: 23 mg Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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18 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Ah, got it! The Chocolate Mini Pies were the star of my dinner party! Your recipe was so user-friendly, and the pies turned out rich and creamy. Loved your pointers on achieving the perfect crust. Thanks for helping me impress my guests!

    1. You don’t Cathy, this is a traditional French silk. But as long as you use pasteurized eggs you should be fine! I’ve never had a problem with it. But I understand if you are leery. There are recipes out there that cook them.

  2. In directions for the filling you say to “Add powdered sugar and cream on medium-high for 1 – 2 minutes, scrape down sides.” However, there is no cream listed in the ingredients — only 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Please tell us how much cream we need.

    You only list cream in the Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream portion.

    Thanks, The recipe sounds great!!

  3. In the recipe for the pie filling it calls for 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar. . . BUT in the directions it says to add cane sugar. . . is this a typo?