Chess Pie

This old-fashioned chess pie recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again. It’s sweet, buttery, and delightfully chewy along the edges; a classic pie every baker should know!

Easy Southern Chess Pie Recipe

Sometimes when you have a food blog—or even when you just love to bake!—it’s hard to resist the flashy recipes. You know, the twists on classics, the elaborate flavor combinations. But today, we’re going back to basics with this old-fashioned chess pie.

Over the years, I’ve made Chocolate Chess Pie, Peanut Butter Chess Pie, and Coconut Chess Pie. I’ve made chess pie with brown butter, chess pie in the form of a tart, and even little Lemon Chess Tartlets. But despite all of those variations, I’ve never shared my family’s classic chess pie—until now.

Well, there’s a reason classics are, well, classic. Sometimes simple is best. Inside the flaky homemade crust is a chewy-yet-also-custardy, buttery, absolutely delectable filling. Resist the temptation to add mix-ins—all you need are some fresh berries and maybe a dollop of whipped cream for the perfect dessert.

Is Chess Pie the Same as Custard Pie?

Chess pie is very similar to custard pie, but the primary difference is that chess pie is made with cornmeal in the filling, which adds a nice texture to the recipe. 

What Does a Chess Pie Taste Like?

Chess pie is sweet and rich, with a lovely vanilla flavor and a beautifully caramelized top. The crust is flaky, and the filling gets chewy on the edges, which might just be the best part!

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

For the crust:

• All-purpose flour – Learn more: How to Measure Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Cold unsalted butter – Learn more: Unsalted or Salted Butter: Which is Better for Baking?
• Cold water – It should be ice cold to keep the butter from melting when you work with it.

For the filling:

• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Milk – This should be room temperature; I recommend using whole milk.
• Eggs – Let these come to room temperature, then lightly beat them.
• Vanilla extract
• Cornmeal
• Salt 

How to Make Chess Pie

You can get a head start on this recipe by making either the dough or the entire pie crust in advance. 

To make the crust:

Make the dough. Whisk the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Incorporate the butter with a pastry blender or fork, until the largest pieces of butter are the size of peas. Add the water a tablespoon at a time, and stir until a dough forms. 

Chill. Shape the dough into a ball, then flatten into a disk about 1-inch thick. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 

Form the crust. Once it’s chilled, place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a 1/8-inch thick circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan, then trim and crimp the edges. 

Chill again. Place the pie crust in the refrigerator while you make the chess pie filling. 

To make the filling and assemble:

Prepare. Preheat your oven to 325°F. 

Make the filling mixture. Stir together the butter, sugar, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Once the mixture is well-combined, stir in the cornmeal and salt. 

Bake. Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set. Let the chess pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

Serving Suggestions

A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream is the perfect finishing touch for chess pie, although it’s also delicious as-is. Candied pecans or fresh fruit are an excellent pairing with chess pie, too.

How to Store

Once the your chess pie has cooled completely, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 3 to 5 days.

Can This Recipe Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze chess pie for up to 3 months. Wrap the slices individually or store them in an airtight container. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

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