Quick answer: cook 4 eggs with 1 cup of sugar to 160°F, stir in 4 oz of melted chocolate and cool. Beat ¾ cup of soft butter until fluffy, beat in the chocolate mixture, fold in 1 cup of cream whipped to stiff peaks, and chill in a baked crust for at least 6 hours. Top with whipped cream.
Ingredients (one 9-inch pie)
- 1 baked 9-inch pie crust or cookie crumb crust
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 4 oz (115 g) bittersweet or unsweetened chocolate, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy cream for the filling
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy cream and 2 tbsp powdered sugar for the topping
- Chocolate shavings
How to make it
- Whisk the eggs and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches 160°F and coats a spoon. Do not let it boil.
- Off the heat, stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Cool to room temperature.
- Beat the butter until pale and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and beat for 3-5 minutes, until light.
- Whip 1 cup of cream to stiff peaks and fold it in.
- Spread into the crust and chill for at least 6 hours.
- Whip the remaining cream with the powdered sugar, spread or pipe it on top and add chocolate shavings.
Tips
- Cool the chocolate mixture fully before it meets the butter, or the butter will melt and the filling will be dense.
- Beat long enough; the texture comes from the air beaten into the butter.
- For a topping that holds overnight, use stabilized whipped cream.
- For a party, a whipped cream dispenser tops slices to order.
Variations
- Oreo crust: 24 crushed cookies mixed with 5 tbsp melted butter, pressed in and chilled.
- Mocha: 2 tsp instant espresso stirred into the warm egg mixture.
- Chocolate topping: chocolate whipped cream.
More chocolate-and-cream desserts: chocolate mousse, pots de crème and whipped ganache.
Frequently asked questions
What is French silk pie?
An American chocolate pie with a light, silky, mousse-like filling in a baked crust, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Does French silk pie have raw eggs?
Older recipes do. This version cooks the eggs and sugar to 160°F first, the temperature the USDA gives for egg mixtures.
What is the difference between French silk pie and chocolate cream pie?
Chocolate cream pie has a cooked pudding filling thickened with cornstarch. French silk filling is beaten with butter and lightened with whipped cream, so it is airier.
How long does French silk pie last?
About 3 days, covered, in the fridge. Add the whipped cream topping on the day you serve it.
