This southern dessert recipe is a classic. Old fashioned Chess Pie is one of our all time favorite southern desserts, we especially love it as a Thanksgiving dessert option.
A chess pie is one of those simple desserts that has been prepared for generations, especially in the south.
Similar to a buttermilk pie, it's baked until golden brown and has a delicious vanilla flavored custard filling topped with a cornmeal and flour layer that's baked to deliciousness.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Alternative Chess Pie Versions
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More Pie Recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Frequently asked questions: FAQs
- Old Fashioned Chess Pie
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- The ingredients are really simple, you'll most likely already have most in your kitchen.
- It's a simple pie, easy to prepare.
- You can use a store-bought pie crust or make one yourself from scratch (I recommend my Amish Pie Crust - it's easy and tastes great!)
- It's an old fashioned recipe but can be pulled out for any special occasions.
- The main ingredient is eggs and sugar.
- It's one of grandma's recipes - you know the type.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Hint: Bake at a higher heat first to make sure the pie crust firms up enough before melting, then turn down the oven. (See recipe card below for full instructions).
If you find the edges of the pie crust browning too soon, cover with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Evaporated Milk - instead of Whole Milk.
- Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- Browned Butter - you could brown the butter first, to give a great nutty flavor. Brown butter adds great depth of flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- White Cornmeal - instead of yellow.
- Unsalted Butter - instead of salted butter, just add a little more salt to the ingredients.
- Chestnut Flour - instead of cornmeal.
- Homemade Crust - try this Amish pie crust recipe - it's the best.
Alternative Chess Pie Versions
- Lemon Chess Pie - this traditional chess pie recipe could be called a lemon chess pie (although it doesn't taste lemony).
- Southern Chocolate Chess Pie - includes the addition of cocoa. I have a fabulous version here.
- Apple Chess Pie - includes apple filling.
- Pumpkin Chess Pie - includes pumpkin pie filling.
- Coconut Chess Pie - includes shredded coconut and coconut extract.
- Buttermilk Chess Pie - replace the milk with ½ cup buttermilk.
- Honey Chess Pie - replace 1 cup of the sugar with 1 cup of honey.
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Necessary gear: Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Due to this classic chess pie recipe being so simple all you'll really need to complete the instructions is a few mixing bowls and a 9" baking dish.
I have some affiliate links in the recipe card below.
How to store leftovers
This basic pie recipe is full of eggs, milk and butter and so will need to be stored in the refrigerator. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Mel's kitchen notes
Add a little dusting of powdered sugar over the top, it tastes great but also adds to the whole look of the classic southern chess pie.
Frequently asked questions: FAQs
There's a few theories behind this, none which have been confirmed. It could be because a long time ago a pie would be stored in a pie chest. It also could be the name Cheese Pie being mistakenly altered due to the southern accent. My favorite theory though, is it's thought to be a mix up of the southern accent - someone saying u0022It's jes' pieu0022.
Some people like a squirt of whipped cream, or some fresh berries. With it having a vanilla flavor it pairs well with a lot of things.
If you've tried this Old Fashioned Chess Pie Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
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Old Fashioned Chess Pie
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Each 9" Refrigerated Pie Crust or Recipe for Amish Pie Crust
- 1-½ Cups Granulated Sugar
- 1-½ Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 3 Tablespoons Cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 6 Each Large Eggs
- ½ Cup Whole Milk
- 1-½ Cups Salted Butter melted
- 1-½ Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1-½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Shape Pie Crust on 9" Round Pie Dish, crimping the edges. Then place in freezer for 20 minutes.1 Each 9" Refrigerated Pie Crust
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.1-½ Cups Granulated Sugar, 1-½ Tablespoons All Purpose Flour, 3 Tablespoons Cornmeal, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Add the eggs to another medium mixing bowl and beat until mixed.6 Each Large Eggs
- Add the milk, melted butter, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well.½ Cup Whole Milk, 1-½ Cups Salted Butter, 1-½ Tablespoons Lemon Juice, 1-½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine.
- Pour the pie filling into the pie crust and place into the oven.
- Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes then turn down the oven to 350°F. Allow to bake another 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into the chess pie. It will still have a little jiggle when you take it out, but the pie will continue to set up as it cools.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar for an optional pop of color.
Notes
Nutrition
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Hannah D'Havilan says
I made a chess pie this morning from a 1950's cookbook. it said it was from England. anyhoo it doesn't call for cornmeal (🤢) but if you like add pecans....stink'in delicious!! I make my pie crust, if it's not homemade why bother!