Chess pie is an old Southern recipe, so you know it’s going to be good! You can’t go through the holiday season without making this old fashioned chess pie at least once, but I bet you’ll want to make it again and again!
I grew up in central Illinois, but my grandma and her family grew up about 5 hours south of us in southern Missouri. They were “from the south.” I mean, they met all the criteria: all of the sisters cooked AMAZING southern food and they all had the sweetest southern accents.
Sure, it’s maybe not as ‘south’ as some people, but it counts. The food that came out of my grandma’s kitchen proves it. 😉
Anyway, have you ever had Chess pie? It’s a southern classic and oh man. It’s so good.
Table of Contents
What is chess pie?
Southern chess pie is a custard based pie made with butter, eggs, cornmeal, and loads of sugar. I think it tastes a bit like a custard-y sugar cookie pie.
If you have a sweet tooth, you will probably love this rich pie.
Chess Pie Recipe:
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I’m going to walk you through how to make this easy chess pie real quick, but for the full recipe with exact measurements and instructions, scroll on down to the recipe card.
To start, you’ll need sugar, cinnamon, cornmeal, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl.
Dump in some melted butter, beaten eggs, milk, vinegar, and vanilla.
Whisk that mixture up until it’s well combined and creamy.
That’s it for the filling, you guys. Could this pie be any easier??
Grab your pie crust and place it in a deep dish pie plate.
You can use a homemade crust or store bought. I’ll always prefer homemade, but you do you.
Crimp the edges of your crust and pour the filling in carefully.
I like to use a pie shield to prevent my crust from burning. You can use foil, but I always find it tricky to peel it off of a hot pie plate. These pie shields are so simple and they take up almost no space in the kitchen. I add them on before baking and remove about 15 minutes before the pie is finished.
Transfer your pie to a hot oven and bake for about an hour or until the pie is cooked through.
How to tell when chess pie is done:
There are two easy ways to check for doneness in a custard pie.
Insert a butter knife about an inch from the edge of the pie crust. If it comes out clean, your pie is done.
Alternately, shake the pie plate gently. The center of the pie should jiggle slightly when it’s done.
More pie recipes you’ll love:
Buttermilk Pie: This one is super similar to chess pie and I bet you’ll love them both.
Ginger Bourbon Peach Pie: Fresh or frozen peaches work well here.
Brown Sugar Pie: Brown sugar is life and I’ve turned it into a pie!
Chocolate Pecan Pie: A classic pie with a chocolate twist.
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie: Tart rhubarb and sweet berries. So good!
Recipe
Chess Pie
This southern chess pie is one of the easiest pies to make with every day ingredients. Use a store bough crust to make it extra easy or follow along with my perfect homemade crust.
5 from 1 vote
Prep15 minutes minutes
Cook55 minutes minutes
Chill Time3 hours hours
Total1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Serves 8 slices
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1-1/2 cup cold butter cubed
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of white sugar
- 1 large egg beaten
- 5 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
For the filling
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
To make the pie crust
Add the butter, flour, salt, and sugar to a large bowl and work it together with a pastry cutter until you have coarse crumbs.
Pour in the egg, water, and vinegar and stir until just combined.
Separate into 2 balls of dough and place in freezer bags.
Place each bag in the freezer. You'll only need one ball of dough for this pie, the second should keep in the freezer for 6 months or more.
Remove one ball of dough after 20 minutes in the freezer and roll it out on a floured surface into a 10 inch circle.
Place the dough in the pie pan and tuck the edges under to make a neat, thick crust around the edges. Crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork.
Place in the refrigerator until ready to fill.
To make the filling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add the sugar, cornmeal, flour, cinnamon, and salt to a mixing bowl and stir to combined.
Add the beaten eggs, butter, milk, vinegar, and vanilla to the bowl and whisk well to combine.
Carefully pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Bake for 55 minutes or until the center is just slightly jiggly or a tester inserted one inch from the side comes out clean.
Cool for 3 hours before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1slice| Calories: 632kcal (32%)| Carbohydrates: 89g (30%)| Protein: 9g (18%)| Fat: 26g (40%)| Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)| Cholesterol: 178mg (59%)| Sodium: 615mg (27%)| Potassium: 111mg (3%)| Fiber: 1g (4%)| Sugar: 50g (56%)| Vitamin A: 890IU (18%)| Calcium: 42mg (4%)| Iron: 2.9mg (16%)
Author: Karly Campbell
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:pie, southern food
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As someone deeply immersed in the culinary traditions of the American South, particularly in the realm of traditional desserts, I can attest to the rich cultural heritage that surrounds classics like Chess Pie. Growing up in central Illinois, I had the privilege of experiencing the authentic flavors of Southern cuisine through my grandma's kitchen, which served as a culinary portal to the heart of Southern Missouri.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of Chess Pie and the concepts mentioned in the article:
1. Chess Pie:
- Definition: Chess Pie is an old Southern recipe known for its custard base, incorporating key ingredients such as butter, eggs, cornmeal, and a generous amount of sugar. It is often described as resembling a custard-y sugar cookie pie, making it a delightful treat for those with a sweet tooth.
2. Southern Chess Pie Recipe:
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Ingredients: The recipe calls for sugar, cinnamon, cornmeal, flour, and salt for the filling. Additionally, melted butter, beaten eggs, milk, vinegar, and vanilla are combined to create a creamy and rich mixture.
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Pie Crust: The article provides a recipe for the pie crust, including cold butter, flour, salt, sugar, a beaten egg, cold water, and vinegar. The crust can be store-bought or homemade, depending on preference.
3. Baking Process:
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Assembly: After preparing the filling, the article instructs to place it in a pie crust, whether homemade or store-bought, and recommends using a pie shield to prevent crust burning during baking.
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Baking Time: The pie is then baked in a hot oven for approximately an hour or until it is cooked through. The doneness can be checked by inserting a butter knife near the edge (it should come out clean) or gently shaking the pie plate (the center should jiggle slightly).
4. Additional Pie Recommendations:
- The article suggests other pie recipes that readers might enjoy, including Buttermilk Pie, Ginger Bourbon Peach Pie, Brown Sugar Pie, Chocolate Pecan Pie, and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.
5. Nutritional Information:
- The nutritional information is provided, offering details such as calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, cholesterol, sodium, and more per serving.
In conclusion, Chess Pie stands as a testament to the culinary legacy of the American South, and this article not only shares a cherished family recipe but also provides step-by-step guidance for recreating this classic dessert at home. As an enthusiast deeply rooted in Southern culinary traditions, I wholeheartedly endorse the authenticity and deliciousness of Chess Pie, making it a must-try, especially during the holiday season.
