Chess Pie

Name: Chess Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade); 1.5 cups granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 4 large eggs; 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal; 2 tbsp white vinegar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1/4 tsp salt

A classic Southern custard pie with a crackly top and a silky, buttery filling of eggs, sugar, butter, and a touch of cornmeal. Simple pantry ingredients create an irresistibly rich dessert.

70 minEasyServes 8410 cal/serving

Southern AmericanDessertOvenVegetarianNut-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

Ingredients

1 9-inch unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
1.5 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 large eggs
2 tbsp yellow cornmeal
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Fit 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade) into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
2

In a large bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups granulated sugar, 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal, 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, and 1/4 tsp salt.
3

Add 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and 4 large eggs to the dry mixture and whisk until smooth.
4

Stir in 2 tbsp white vinegar and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
5

Pour the filling into the chilled pie crust. Place on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
6

Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is set with just a slight jiggle in the center. Tent with foil if the edges brown too quickly.
7

Cool on a wire rack at least 1 hour before slicing. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.

Questions

Can I make Chess Pie dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Chess Pie gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 tbsp all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Chess Pie keep?

Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double Chess Pie?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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