Description
Step into Southern baking tradition with this absolutely divine Classic Chess Pie that’s pure comfort food magic! This legendary dessert features a silky, sweet custard filling with the perfect hint of cornmeal texture, all nestled in a flaky, golden crust. With its rich, buttery flavor and bright lemon finish, this timeless pie has been gracing Southern tables for generations—and once you taste it, you’ll understand why. Simple pantry ingredients transform into something truly extraordinary, making this the perfect dessert for family gatherings, potluck dinners, or anytime you want to create a little Southern hospitality!
Ingredients
- 1 unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Pie Foundation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll pie crust into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface, then transfer to a 9-inch pie plate (no deeper than 1¼ inches). Tuck edges under and crimp beautifully. Freeze for 20 minutes to prevent shrinkage.
- Blind Bake to Perfection: Prick the frozen crust bottom 8-10 times with a fork. Line with parchment paper, fill with pie weights, and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are dry.
- Finish the Crust: Carefully remove parchment and weights. Return to oven and bake 3-5 minutes more until bottom is dry and edges are light golden brown. Cool slightly, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Create the Legendary Filling: In a medium bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth and glossy. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition to create that perfect custard base.
- Add the Classic Touch: Whisk in cornmeal and flour until just combined—this gives chess pie its signature texture! Then add milk, fresh lemon juice, vanilla, and salt, mixing until the filling is silky smooth.
- Bake to Golden Glory: Pour filling into the prepared crust and bake 45-50 minutes until edges and center are completely set. If the crust or surface browns too quickly, tent with foil during the last 15 minutes.
- Cool and Serve with Pride: Let pie cool completely for about 2 hours—this allows the custard to set to perfection. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for that beautiful finishing touch that makes every slice special!
Notes
The secret to perfect chess pie is patience—let it cool completely for the ideal custard texture! The cornmeal is what distinguishes chess pie from other custard pies, giving it that characteristic slightly grainy texture that’s absolutely delicious. Room temperature eggs and milk blend more smoothly for the silkiest filling. Fresh lemon juice is essential for that bright flavor that balances the rich sweetness. This pie actually improves with time—it’s even better the next day! Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 54g
- Sodium: 295mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: chess pie, southern dessert, custard pie, traditional pie, classic southern recipe