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Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Traditional Chess Pie Recipe | The Recipe Critic


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This traditional Southern dessert is a scrumptious mixture of candy, tangy, and buttery flavors all wrapped up in a flaky crust. Its custard-like filling has a easy and creamy texture that may have you ever hooked. And the very best half? Chess pie is tremendous simple to make and solely takes 10 minutes of prep!

With the climate being good and heat, I’ve been wanting to interrupt out my favourite summer time desserts. I really feel like pie is a must-make for any summer time barbecue! Channel your internal Southern baker and check out this chess pie, or make a lemon or peach pie from scratch! Lemon chess pie is one other nice choice if you’d like a little bit additional taste.

Front view of a slice of pie with a bite taken out of it.

What’s Chess Pie?

Chess pie is a dessert that has its roots within the South, significantly in states like Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. The precise origin of the title is unsure, however there are a couple of theories on the market. Some say it comes from the saying “simply pie.” Others imagine that it comes from the time period “cheese pie,” because the custardy filling has the same texture to cheese. It doesn’t matter what you wish to name it, one factor is for positive! This pie is extraordinarily scrumptious and straightforward to make.

The filling consists of just some substances – sugar, butter, eggs, cornmeal, and vinegar – which are blended collectively and poured right into a pie crust. The result’s a candy and tangy filling that has a beautiful golden brown, caramelized exterior as soon as it’s baked. It’s the proper dessert for whenever you’re brief on time or don’t wish to spend hours within the kitchen. Plus, it’s versatile – you’ll be able to take pleasure in it by itself, with a dollop of whipped cream, or with a scoop of ice cream. Irrespective of the way you select to serve it, I do know you’ll love its custard-like texture and candy taste!

Substances Wanted

It is a in style dessert recipe as a result of it makes use of so many easy, pantry staple substances. Choose up a refrigerated pie crust from the shop, and also you’ll in all probability have all the pieces else you want able to go at residence! (If you happen to’re feeling bold, you may as well make your personal crust! It’s so much simpler than you’d assume.)

  • Unbaked Pie Crust: That is the shell that may maintain your candy, scrumptious filling. Whether or not you select a storebought crust or make your personal from scratch, a very good, flaky crust is vital to creating the proper pie.
  • Melted Butter: That is what provides chess pie its wealthy, buttery taste.
  • Massive Eggs: Eggs are the glue that holds all the pieces collectively in your pie filling. In addition they give it a scrumptious, custard-like taste.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sugar provides sweetness and depth of taste to the filling, and likewise helps to create a caramelized crust on high. (It’s so scrumptious!) You should utilize honey or maple syrup as an alternative as effectively.
  • Cornmeal: Provides the pie a little bit little bit of texture and crunch. It additionally helps to thicken the filling!
  • All-Objective Flour: Flour helps to thicken the filling and provides it construction.
  • Salt: A pinch of salt helps to steadiness out the sweetness of the chess pie and convey out the opposite flavors within the filling.
  • 2% Milk: Milk provides creaminess and richness to the filling. It additionally helps to create a easy, velvety texture. I used 2%, however you should utilize complete milk, oat milk, or nut milk as a substitute.
  • Vinegar: White vinegar provides a tangy, barely acidic taste to the filling. You can even use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar if that’s all you have got readily available.
  • Vanilla Extract: For an additional enhance of candy taste. Attempt making your personal mix at residence utilizing my recipe right here!

Methods to Make Chess Pie

Solely 10 minutes of prep after which it’s off to the oven! With how simple chess pie is to make, you’ll see why it’s such a well-liked Southern dessert! Candy, creamy goodness made with minimal effort.

  1. Put together Crust: Put together the home made pie crust utilizing my recipe, or use a store-bought pie crust should you’re brief on time. Roll out pie dough and place it right into a pie dish. End the sides nonetheless you want!
  2. Soften Butter: Soften the butter in a saucepan or within the microwave then permit it to chill.
  3. Whisk Eggs: In a small mixing bowl whisk the eggs till blended effectively then put aside.
  4. Dry Substances: In a big mixing bowl add the granulated sugar, cornmeal, flour, and salt. Stir till mixed.
  5. Mix With Moist Substances: Add the milk, vinegar, vanilla, and whisked eggs to the dry ingredient combination. Whisk collectively till included.
  6. Add Butter: Combine within the cooled butter till easy and mixed.
  7. Add to Crust: Pour the chess pie filling into the ready crust. Fastidiously place the pie on a baking sheet and into the preheated oven.
  8. Bake: Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or the till edges are set. It’s regular for the middle to wiggle barely. Cowl the pie with foil for the final 10 minutes if the sides of the crust are getting too brown.
  9. Cool: Permit the pie to chill for 1 hour earlier than slicing and serving. Mud powdered sugar on high of the pie earlier than serving should you want!
  10. Retailer: Cowl and retailer leftover pie within the fridge.
Collage of chess pie filling being prepared.

Suggestions and Serving Options

Chess pie is scrumptious by itself, however listed below are a couple of methods to make it even higher! Irrespective of the way you customise it (or should you depart it as-is) this dessert is certain to please!

  • Add Recent Whipped Cream: Whip up some contemporary whipped cream to serve alongside your chess pie. It’ll add an additional layer of creaminess and decadence!
  • Combine-Ins: Add some texture to your pie by mixing in chopped nuts and even chocolate chips. Who doesn’t love a little bit crunch of their desserts?
  • Extra Taste: Get artistic along with your flavors! Attempt including in some cinnamon or nutmeg for a heat, spicy twist, or a splash of bourbon for some additional richness.
  • À la Mode: Serve your chess pie barely heat with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The distinction of the nice and cozy pie and chilly ice cream is really heavenly.
  • Extra Toppings: Need to take your chess pie to the subsequent stage? High it off with a layer of caramel sauce or some contemporary fruit compote for a deliciously indulgent deal with.
  • Mini Chess Pies: Attempt making mini chess pies as a substitute of 1 giant pie. They’re the proper dimension for particular person servings and make for a cute and engaging presentation.

Top-down view of a whole chess pie.

How Lengthy Does Chess Pie Final?

Relating to storing leftover chess pie, the toughest half is resisting the urge to eat it multi functional sitting! However should you handle to avoid wasting for later, merely cowl it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it within the fridge.

  • Within the Fridge: Cowl with plastic wrap or retailer in an hermetic pie container. Your chess pie will keep contemporary for about 4 days.

A slice of pie being served with a cake spatula.


  • Put together the home made pie crust utilizing my recipe, or use a store-bought pie crust should you’re brief on time. Roll it out and place it right into a pie dish. End the sides nonetheless you want!
  • Soften the butter in a saucepan or within the microwave then permit it to chill.

  • In a small mixing bowl whisk the eggs till blended effectively and put aside.

  • In a big mixing bowl add the granulated sugar, cornmeal, flour, and salt. Stir till mixed.

  • Add the milk, vinegar, vanilla, and whisked eggs to the bowl of dry substances. Whisk collectively till included.

  • Combine within the cooled butter till easy and mixed.

  • Pour the batter into the ready crust. Fastidiously place the pie on a baking sheet and into the preheated oven.

  • Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or the till edges are set. It is regular for the middle to wiggle barely. Cowl the pie with foil for the final 10 minutes if the sides of the crust are getting too brown.

  • Permit the pie to chill for 1 hour earlier than slicing and serving. Mud powdered sugar on high of the pie earlier than serving should you want!

  • Cowl and retailer leftover pie within the fridge.



Serves: 6

Energy525kcal (26%)Carbohydrates68g (23%)Protein6g (12%)Fats26g (40%)Saturated Fats13g (65%)Polyunsaturated Fats2gMonounsaturated Fats9gTrans Fats1gLdl cholesterol151mg (50%)Sodium381mg (16%)Potassium101mg (3%)Fiber1g (4%)Sugar51g (57%)Vitamin A641IU (13%)Vitamin C0.02mgCalcium39mg (4%)Iron1mg (6%)

All dietary data is predicated on third celebration calculations and is barely an estimate. Every recipe and dietary worth will fluctuate relying on the manufacturers you utilize, measuring strategies and portion sizes per family.

Course Dessert

Delicacies American

Key phrase chess pie, chess pie recipe



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