Preheat Your Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature by the time you’re ready to bake the pie.

Roll Out the Pie Crust: If using a homemade pie crust, roll it out into a circle large enough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. If you’re using a store-bought pie crust, simply unroll it and place it into the pie dish.

Fit the Crust into the Pie Dish: Gently press the pie crust into the bottom and up the sides of the pie dish. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges, and crimp the edges decoratively if desired. Set the pie crust aside.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1½ cups (300g) of granulated sugar, ¼ cup (25g) of unsweetened cocoa powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt until they are evenly combined and there are no lumps of cocoa powder.

Add Wet Ingredients: Add 4 large eggs, ½ cup (120ml) of melted unsalted butter, ¼ cup (60ml) of evaporated milk, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Whisk the mixture until smooth and fully combined.

Check the Consistency: The mixture should be smooth and pourable, with no streaks of dry ingredients. The consistency will be somewhat liquid but will firm up during baking.

Pour the Filling into the Crust: Carefully pour the chocolate filling into the prepared pie crust. Use a spatula to smooth out the surface if needed.

Bake the Pie: Place the pie on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The filling should be set around the edges but still slightly wobbly in the center. The top of the pie may develop a light crust.

Check for Doneness: To test for doneness, insert a toothpick or knife into the center of the pie. It should come out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

Cool the Pie: Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack. As it cools, the filling will continue to firm up, creating the signature smooth and fudgy texture.

Slice and Serve: Once the pie has cooled, slice it into wedges and serve. You can enjoy it as is or top it with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.