4-Ingredient No Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie

You know those days when the kids are bouncing off the walls, dinner’s half done, and you realize you need a dessert to take to dinner with friends, stat? This no bake chocolate pudding pie is my go-to lifesaver. It’s rich, creamy, and ridiculously easy, like “whip it up while the pasta boils” easy. And with only four ingredients, it’s one of those recipes that makes you look like a hero with basically zero effort.

I started making this pie years ago, when I needed a quick dessert that felt a little fancy but didn’t ask too much of me. It was inspired by my easy chocolate mousse (my kids are obsessed) and quickly became part of my no-bake pie rotation, right alongside my banana cream pudding pie and vanilla pudding pie. We’re talking different flavors, same magical method.

Ingredients

• Instant chocolate pudding mix is the base of the filling. I tested this with 3.4oz boxes of Jello Instant Pudding.
• Heavy whipping cream turns the pudding into a fluffy, mousse-like dream. It’s what gives the pie its light texture. You can substitute any milk you'd like, but you'll need to reduce the amount stated on the box in order to get a pie that will hold it's shape.
• Chocolate cookie crust brings in the crunch and more chocolatey goodness. I usually grab a store-bought one to save time, but if you’ve want to make a homemade crust, go for it!
• Toppings like shaved chocolate, whipped cream, or crushed cookies are totally optional, but they make it feel a little extra, in the best way.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Whip the pudding mix with the heavy whipping cream.
2. Add the whipped pudding mixture into the prepared pie shell.
3. Smooth the top of the whipped pudding and top pie with chocolate shavings & crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
4. Cover loosely and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Flavor Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe, besides how fast it is, is how easy it is to change up.

• Swap in different pudding flavors like white chocolate, butterscotch, or even pumpkin spice for a fall treat.
• Swap the crust and do a version with a graham cracker crust and cheesecake pudding that turned out like a no-bake chocolate cheesecake.
• Want something fresh and zesty, try my no bake lemon pudding pie using the same technique and garnished with lemon wedges. It's the perfect cool treat after a day on the lake.

Special Diet Swaps

If you need to make it gluten-free, just grab a gluten-free pie crust or use gluten-free cookies to make your own.

And for dairy-free folks, I’ve had good luck with almond and coconut milk plus dairy-free whipped topping, just make sure your pudding can set with plant-based milk. Here's the resource about making instant pudding dairy free that helped me figure this all out.

Storage Info

To store leftovers (assuming you have any!), cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to five days, but in my house it rarely lasts past day two. I don’t recommend freezing it, the texture changes and not in a good way.

TL:DR

This 4-ingredient no bake chocolate pudding pie is a quick, creamy dessert that’s perfect for busy families and chocolate lovers alike. It takes just minutes to make, chills while you handle life, and disappears just as fast!

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