Instead of making the fudge mixture, can I just use jarred fudge like you would use to top ice cream?

No, hard-shell chocolate coating would be too firm, and anything else would be too soft.

What are vanilla marshmallow bits, and where can I find them?

Mini vanilla marshmallow bits typically come in a shaker can and are found in the baking aisle, near the regular marshmallows, or in the ice cream toppings section of grocery stores. If you’re having trouble finding them, you can also use mini marshmallows for this recipe.

Kitchen Tested

Hot Chocolate Pie

Name: Hot Chocolate Pie
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 crust from 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box; 1 cup dark chocolate chips; 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 3/4 cups milk; 1 box (5 oz) Jell-O™ Cook & Serve chocolate pudding & pie filling mix (not instant); 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme; 2 tablespoons vanilla marshmallows bits; 4 peppermint candies, unwrapped, crushed

Prep time:35 min
Total time:4 hr 15 min
Ingredients:11
Servings:8
Calories per serving:610

By Created by Joanna(Opens in a new tab)Updated 08/11/2025

Hot Chocolate Pie

Prep time:35 min
Total time:4 hr 15 min
Ingredients:11
Servings:8
Calories per serving:610

Now you can drink your hot chocolate and eat it, too! This over-the-top Hot Chocolate Pie is the kind of dessert that turns heads—and has everyone begging for seconds. Even better? You don’t need to be a pastry chef to pull it off.

Made with flaky Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts, it layers rich dark chocolate fudge, silky homemade chocolate pudding, and a dreamy whipped marshmallow topping. A drizzle of chocolate sauce and a festive sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies and mini marshmallows give it big holiday vibes. This chocolate pie is a perfect make-ahead dessert for holiday parties, winter birthdays, or any night you want something extra special.

Recipe Ingredients

Get ready to build a seriously festive pie—with seriously simple ingredients. Most are pantry staples, and the rest are easy to find at your local store.

Refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts: A must-have for any pie recipe! It takes the fuss and guesswork out of baking and turns out delicious every time.

Chocolate Pudding Mix: Using a mix helps create a smooth, rich filling without the hassle of making the filling completely from scratch. It saves time and ensures that your filling turns out perfectly every time.

Marshmallow Creme: This takes normal whipped cream and gives it big hot chocolate energy!

Other Ingredients: Dark chocolate chips give this dessert extra chocolaty richness, but you can use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips depending on how sweet you want it to turn out. And don’t forget the toppings! We love topping this luscious pie with crunchy vanilla marshmallow bits and colorful crushed peppermint candies.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Pie

This dessert comes together in layers, each one adding its own texture and flavor. Check out this quick overview and keep reading for the full recipe!

1. Bake the Crust

Bake 1 refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crust in an ungreased pie plate for the crisp, flaky base. Poking holes on the bottom and sides of the pie crust with a fork before baking helps prevent it from bubbling up.

2. Make the Fudge Layer

In a saucepan, melt together dark chocolate chips, heavy whipping cream, and a pat of butter to create a quick fudge sauce. Make sure the heat is low, and you’re continuously stirring so the sauce doesn’t burn or seize up. You want it to be a glossy black, not matte black (which means it’s burned). Spread the sauce over the cooled crust, saving a little bit to drizzle on top of the finished pie, and put the pie in the fridge to chill.

3. Make the Pudding

Whip up easy chocolate pudding on the stove using boxed pudding mix. Then, add chocolate chips for extra-rich flavor. Once slightly cooled, spread the pudding over the fudge layer, and return the pie to the fridge to chill until firm.

4. Make the Marshmallow Whipped Topping

Right before serving, make easy homemade whipped cream, and stir in a jar of marshmallow creme to make it taste like a big, fluffy marshmallow! Spoon the whipped cream over the pie, and finish with extra fudge drizzle, a handful of marshmallow bits, and crushed peppermint candy for a festive crunch in every bite.

Storing and Reheating Hot Chocolate Pie

This pie is rich and decadent, so you might find yourself with a few extra slices. Here’s how to store and enjoy them later.

Refrigerator

Store loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If already cut into slices, store in an airtight container.

Freezer

While we wouldn’t recommend storing the fully-made pie in the freezer, you can make and assemble the crust and chocolate pudding base ahead of time, and store the pie in the freezer, tightly covered, for up to 3 months. Before serving, put the pie in the fridge to thaw for 3 to 4 hours. Then, top with the whipped marshmallow topping to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions