Indulge in the rich, fudgy goodness of Golden Corral’s Chocolate Chess Pie. With a smooth chocolate filling and a flaky crust, this classic dessert is perfect for any chocolate lover.

Golden Corral-style chocolate chess pie with a fudgy chocolate filling in a flaky crust.
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Bring the beloved buffet favorite home with this Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie. This decadent dessert features a rich, fudgy chocolate filling nestled in a flaky, buttery crust, delivering the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

Easy to make yet indulgent enough to impress, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream and a show-stopping addition to any dessert table.

Golden Corral-style chocolate chess pie with smooth fudgy filling and golden flaky crust.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Decadent Chocolate Flavor – Rich, fudgy, and intensely chocolatey in every bite.
  • Classic Comfort Dessert – Brings the nostalgic taste of Golden Corral right to your kitchen.
  • Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps for home bakers.
  • Perfect Texture – Smooth, creamy filling with a flaky, buttery crust.
  • Great for Any Occasion – Ideal for family dinners, holidays, or special dessert treats.

Golden Corral Chess Pie Ingredients

Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie Ingredients on kitchen table.
  • Pie Crust: You can use store-bought refrigerated pie crust or homemade pie crust.
  • Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Granulated Sugar: This is a great way to get that sweetened taste that Chess pie is known for.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the filling.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Eggs: You can use an egg substitute if you have an egg allergy.
  • Evaporated Milk: This will get you the custard filling.
  • Salt: If you use salted butter, omit the salt.
  • Serve With: Whipped Cream and Shaved Chocolate

How To Make Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie

Rolling out pie crust, placing it in an air fryer-safe pan, and pre-baking until golden brown at 320°F.

Step One: Roll out your pie crust, and then place it into an air fryer-safe pie or tart pan. Set the pie crust into the air fryer and set the temperature to 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the pie crust is golden brown.

Melting butter in a microwave-safe bowl and whisking cocoa powder, sugar, and flour in another bowl.

Step Two: Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, melt it, and set it aside. Whisk together the sifted cocoa powder, white sugar, and flour in a medium-sized bowl.

Adding egg, melted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla, then stirring until fully combined.

Step Three: Next, add the egg, the unsalted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla, and stir together until all of the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.

Step Four: Pour the chocolate mixture into the pie crust. Only fill the crust about 2/3rds full. Be careful not to overfill. Place in the air fryer for 15 to 20 minutes at 300 degrees F, air fryer setting. Check the cake with a cake tester or toothpick. Check to see if the pie is set in the middle. It is done if the tester comes out clean and the pie is not jiggly in the middle. If there is still a lot of the mixture on the tester and there is still a lot of jiggle to the pie, continue baking at 5-minute increments until it’s done. Remove and let it cool. Once it’s cooled, slice, serve and top with vanilla ice cream and grate chocolate on top.

Golden Corral-style chocolate chess pie with smooth fudgy filling and a golden flaky crust.

Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe Tips

  • Use high-quality chocolate – For the richest, fudgiest flavor, choose good-quality semisweet or dark chocolate.
  • Pre-bake the crust – Blind baking the crust for a few minutes ensures it stays flaky and doesn’t get soggy.
  • Room temperature ingredients – Eggs, butter, and milk at room temperature blend more smoothly for a creamy filling.
  • Avoid overmixing – Mix just until combined to keep the filling silky and prevent cracking.
  • Cool before slicing – Let the pie cool completely for clean slices and perfect texture.
  • Optional toppings – Serve with whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate ganache for an extra indulgent touch.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze the pie in a tightly wrapped, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, or reheat the whole pie in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Golden Corral-style chocolate chess pie with smooth fudgy filling and golden flaky crust.

Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe Faqs

Can I use a store-bought pie crust? Yes! A pre-made crust works perfectly for this recipe and saves time.

What type of chocolate is best for the filling? Use semisweet or dark chocolate for a rich, fudgy texture and deep chocolate flavor.

Can I make this pie ahead of time? Absolutely. You can prepare the pie in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake.

Can I freeze the pie? Yes, wrap the cooled pie tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

How should I serve it? Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate ganache.

More Copycat Golden Corral Recipes

Golden Corral Meatloaf Recipe

Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat

Golden Corral Sausage and Peppers

Golden Corral Bread Pudding

Copycat Golden Corral Pot Roast

Golden Corral Banana Nut Bread Recipe (Copycat Version)

Golden Corral Yeast Rolls Recipe

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Golden Corral-style chocolate chess pie with a fudgy chocolate filling in a flaky crust.

Golden Corral Chocolate Chess Pie

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Recreate Golden Corral’s Chocolate Chess Pie at home! Rich, fudgy chocolate filling in a flaky crust makes this dessert perfect for any chocolate lover.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pie crust, store bought or homemade
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespons butter, unsalted and melted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 5 ounces evaporated milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Serve with: whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Instructions

  • Roll out your pie crust, and then place it into an air fryer-safe pie or tart pan. Set the pie crust into the air fryer and set the temperature to 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the pie crust is golden brown.
  • Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, melt it, and set it aside. Whisk together the sifted cocoa powder, white sugar, and flour in a medium-sized bowl.
  • Next, add the egg, the unsalted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla, and stir together until all of the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
  • Pour the chocolate mixture into the pie crust. Only fill the crust about 2/3rds full. Be careful not to overfill. Place in the air fryer for 15 to 20 minutes at 300 degrees F, air fryer setting. Check the cake with a cake tester or toothpick. Check to see if the pie is set in the middle. It is done if the tester comes out clean and the pie is not jiggly in the middle. If there is still a lot of the mixture on the tester and there is still a lot of jiggle to the pie, continue baking at 5-minute increments until it’s done.
  • Remove and let it cool. Once it’s cooled, slice, serve and top with vanilla ice cream and grate chocolate on top.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 195mgPotassium: 126mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 156IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg

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