Southern Chess Pie - The Keep At Dwelling Chef

Southern Chess Pie is a basic dessert that brings a wealthy, gooey custard filling with a touch of caramelized goodness on high. Fortunately, this pie is tremendous simple to make. This recipe requires a pie crust and just some extra elements that you just most likely have already got readily available, so that you’ll have the ability to whip up this pie very quickly in any respect! It has such a deliciously candy and distinctive taste that everybody shall be begging you for the recipe!

For less difficult pie recipes, attempt our Easy Peasy Pumpkin Pie or our Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie.

Why Our Recipe

The right gooey custard filling that’s wealthy and candy with cornmeal to offer texture.
A caramelized layer on high offers the right end.
Tremendous easy to make in order that anybody from rookies to pie execs can take pleasure in.

A slice of chess pie on a plate. A fork is resting on the plate as the first bite has been taken.

Southern chess pie is good, indulgent, and downright scrumptious! The filling is just like custard, however the cornmeal offers it extra texture than custard. The sugar caramelizes on high of the pie because it bakes, making it even yummier. A very good comparability is the flavour of pecan pie if you happen to simply eliminated the pecans!

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make Chess Pie.

Pie Crust: This recipe doesn’t stroll you thru find out how to make a pie crust, however don’t have any worry! We’ve our Fool Proof Pie Crust recipe that we swear by. For those who’re in a pinch, you should use a store-bought pie crust, however simply ensure you don’t skip the freezing step on this recipe! In any other case, your crust gained’t obtain that excellent texture because it bakes.
Cornmeal: This small quantity of cornmeal within the recipe is essential to the normal taste and texture of chess pie.
Milk: Complete milk works finest, however you’ll be able to all the time use 2%.
Lemon Juice: You need to use bottled lemon juice for this recipe if you would like, however contemporary is all the time finest. The lemon juice cuts by means of the sweetness of the pie, giving it a extra advanced taste.

Recipe Origins

Chess pie has been round for a very long time—some say it originated again in England within the 18th century! It’s not clear the place precisely the identify chess pie got here from, however not one of the theories counsel that it’s named after the sport of chess. Some sources say that one baker of this pie served it saying, “It’s simply pie,” however her Southern accent made the phrase “simply” sound like “chess.”

Others say that the identify refers back to the chests that individuals used to retailer their meals in to maintain it contemporary, and that it was as soon as once more misunderstood and changed into “chess pie” somewhat than “chest pie.” We would not know why it was ever deemed chess pie, however we do know one factor—it’s nonetheless a superbly scrumptious dessert!

An overhead view of a chess pie that has been sliced for serving. The first slice has been removed from the pan.

Forestall Cracking

For those who transfer this pie out of the oven too quick, you’ll be able to threat cracking the highest! One option to forestall pies from cracking is to put the pie dish on a cookie sheet earlier than placing it within the oven. That can make it a lot simpler to take out of the oven, and also you additionally gained’t have to fret about spills in your oven!

Serving Options

You may all the time serve slices of chess pie plain, however you may as well costume them up with a bit one thing further. Giving the pie a dusting of powdered sugar on high is the simplest option to glam it up. And, in fact, pie is all the time nice served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you wish to get fancier, you’ll be able to high with contemporary berries or add a bit orange or lemon zest on high.

Storage Directions

Retailer at room temperature by overlaying the pie loosely with plastic wrap or foil for as much as 2 days.

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container or lined with plastic wrap or foil for as much as 5 days.

Freeze particular person slices then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a resealable freezer bag. Retailer within the freezer for as much as 2 months. Thaw within the fridge earlier than serving.

Extra scrumptious pie recipes . . .

Watch the video beneath the place Caytlin will stroll you thru each step of this recipe. Generally it helps to have a visible, and we’ve all the time obtained you lined with our cooking present. You will discover the whole assortment of recipes on YouTube, our Facebook Page, or proper right here on our web site with their corresponding recipes.

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