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This Old Fashioned Chess Pie is more than just a dessert; it's a piece of family history. This recipe is an adaptation of the one handed down to my Mother-in-Law from her mother, who lived in rural Oklahoma during the 1930s Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
They actually lived through the hardships described in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. At that time, ingredients were very limited, and families had to make do with what they had in the pantry.
However, for special occasions, they would bake this simple, sweet Chess Pie. It became one of my Mother-in-Law’s favorite childhood memories, and today, I am honored to share this authentic slice of history with you.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Why is it called Chess Pie?
- What is the Difference Between Chess Pie and Buttermilk Pie?
- What Do I Need To Make Chess Pie
- How To Make Chess Pie
- How Long To Bake Chess Pie
- Cooling The Chess Pie
- How To Store Leftover Chess Pie
- Pro Recipe Tips
- Variations of Chess Pie
- What To Serve With Chess Pie
- Why Is Chess Pie So Sweet?
- More Southern Pie Recipes
- Recipe
- Reviews
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pantry Staples: You likely have everything you need in your kitchen right now! No fancy ingredients or grocery runs required-just butter, sugar, eggs, and cornmeal.
- The Perfect Texture: This recipe delivers that signature contrast: a silky, rich custard filling underneath a crackly, golden cornmeal crust.
- Authentic Southern Flavor: This isn’t a modern interpretation; it's a classic, old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations. It tastes just like Sunday supper at Grandma's.
- Easy Prep: There is no complicated technique here. Just whisk the filling, pour it into the crust, and bake. It's perfect for beginner bakers!
- Great for Holidays: It stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day, making it the ultimate make-ahead dessert for Pi Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Why is it called Chess Pie?
If you ask three different Southerners where the name comes from, you will likely get three different answers! While the true origin is lost to history, there are a few popular theories that have been passed down through generations:
- The “Pie Chest” Theory: Before refrigeration, pies with high sugar content (which acts as a preservative) were stored in a ventilated furniture piece called a “pie chest.” Over time, “Chest Pie” may have simply slurred into “Chess Pie.”
- The “Just Pie” Theory: The story goes that a plantation cook was asked what he was baking. He replied in a thick Southern accent, “It’s jes’ pie” (it's just pie), which sounded an awful lot like “Chess Pie” to the listener.
- The “Chess” Theory: Some food historians believe the name refers to “Chess,” which was an old English term for cheese curds. While the pie contains no cheese, the texture of the custard is similar to traditional English cheese curds.
What is the Difference Between Chess Pie and Buttermilk Pie?
While these two Southern custard pies often get confused because they look so similar on a dessert table, there are two distinct ingredients that set them apart: cornmeal and acidity.
- Chess Pie: The secret weapon in a traditional Chess Pie is cornmeal. This grain rises to the surface during baking, creating that signature sugary, crackly crust that fans of the pie know and love. It also relies on a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to cut through the sweetness of the sugar.
- Buttermilk Pie: As the name suggests, this pie relies on buttermilk for its primary flavor profile, giving it a distinct tanginess. It is usually thickened with flour rather than cornmeal, resulting in a smoother, creamier custard without the crunchy cornmeal top.
What Do I Need To Make Chess Pie
Equipment
Below are tools to use to make this recipe. If you click on the affiliate links below, you can view the product on Amazon.com. If you choose to purchase the item from Amazon.com, I will receive a very small commission at no additional cost to you.
- Stand Mixer – I like this KitchenAid model Stand Mixer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, use a hand mixer or whisk and large mixing bowl.
- Pie Plate
Ingredients And Substitutions
Below are the ingredients needed, as well as a few substitutions, to make Old Fashioned Chess Pie. For specific amounts of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the complete printable recipe card.
- One 9-inch refrigerated pie crust – or a homemade pie crust.
- Butter. You will need 1 stick of butter. Either salted or unsalted butter will work.
- Granulated sugar. You will need between 1 cup to 2 cups of sugar. I give a range because chess pie is extremely sweet. Some people may think it is too sweet. If you have never tried Chess pie before, you may want to start with 1 cup of sugar and see if that is sweet enough for you. If not, you can always add more sugar but you can’t take it away.
- 4 eggs. Yes, that number of eggs is correct. It is a very rich custard pie.
- Vanilla. I recommend using pure vanilla and not imitation vanilla. If you use imitation vanilla then you may only want to use 1/2 teaspoon instead of 1 teaspoon.
- Cornmeal. You will need 1 – 2 tablespoons of cornmeal. Yes, this pie has cornmeal in it. While the pie cooks, the cornmeal rises to the top to create a thin crust.
- Salt.
- Milk. I recommend using whole milk or buttermilk. I don’t recommend using low fat milk or skim milk.
- White vinegar. You will need just 1 tablespoon white vinegar. If you don’t have white vinegar, you could use lemon juice instead.
- Ingredient Amounts. Once again, if you are looking for the list of ingredients with the specific amounts of each listed, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card.
How To Make Chess Pie
Below are high level instructions for the major steps of How to Make Chess Pie. However, for more detailed instructions with specific ingredient amounts, scroll down to the bottom of the article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card.
- Start out beating butter and sugar in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer and mixing bowl.
- Add eggs, vanilla, cornmeal, milk, vinegar, and salt and mix until smooth.
- Pour into a prepared 9-inch pie shell.
- For more specific instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the article, just above the comments, to the printable recipe card.
How Long To Bake Chess Pie
Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F for about 60 – 65 minutes. Watch the edges of the pie crust to make sure that they don’t brown too quickly. If needed, shield the edges of the pie crust by covering them with strips of aluminum foil.
Cooling The Chess Pie
Let the Chess Pie cool for about 1 hour at room temperature before serving.
How To Store Leftover Chess Pie
Cover the pie and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve again.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Sugar. Traditional Chess Pie is a very sweet pie. Start with 1 cup of sugar and if you need to add more, add 1/4 cup at a time to see if it meets your desired level of sweetness. The old recipe originally called for 2 cups of sugar but my family and I found that it made the pie much too sweet for us.
- Room Temperature. Start with eggs and butter at room temperature. This will soften the butter and ensure a better filling.
- Vanilla. Use pure vanilla and not imitation vanilla. It does make a difference. If you still decide to use imitation vanilla, then I recommend reducing the amount of vanilla to 1/2 teaspoons because imitation vanilla tends to be stronger than pure vanilla.
- Shield Edges of Pie Crust. If the edges of the pie crust start to brown too fast, cover them with thin strips of foil to prevent them from overcooking.
- Cooling. Don’t serve the Chess Pie immediately out of the oven. Instead, let it cool on a wire rack for about an hour, and then refrigerate the pie after that until ready to serve.
Variations of Chess Pie
- Chocolate Chess Pie – Add 4 tablespoons cocoa powder to the pie filling.
- Lemon Chess Pie – Add 1/4 cup lemon juice to the pie filling.
- Coconut Chess Pie – Add 1 cup of flaked coconut to the pie filling.
- Eggnog Chess Pie – Replace whole milk and vinegar with 1/3 cup eggnog.
What To Serve With Chess Pie
Make an entire meal by serving Old Fashioned Chess Pie as a dessert to go with these other Southern dishes.
- Instant Pot Smothered Pork Chops
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Chicken And Dumplings
- Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon and Balsamic
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hash Brown Casserole
Why Is Chess Pie So Sweet?
One of the reasons Chess Pie is so sweet is that hundreds of years ago, people would add sugar to milk and unsalted butter to keep them from going bad. This pie originally had 2 cups of sugar. Since that was overly sweet to us today and we don’t need to use the sugar as a preservative, I have cut back on the sugar in the recipe by 1/2 cup. It remains still very sweet but not overly sweet. Be sure to read my notes below about recommendations on adding the sugar.
More Southern Pie Recipes
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie – This pumpkin piekeeps only the best part of the pumpkin pie, the pumpkin pie filling, and is so delicious that you won't miss the crust.
- German Chocolate Pecan Pie – This German Chocolate Pecan Pie combines German Chocolate Cake and Pecan Pie into one fabulous holiday dessert!
- No Bake Banana Pudding Cream Pie – This easy No Bake Banana Pudding Cream Pie recipe is super easy to make and requires no baking!
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust (or a homemade pie crust.)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (8-Tablespoons or 1 stick butter)
- 4 eggs
- 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar (See note below)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-1/2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a stand mixer, or mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together.
- Add eggs, vanilla, cornmeal, milk, vinegar, and salt and mix until smooth.
- Pour into a prepared 9-inch pie shell and bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F for about 55 – 65 minutes.
- Watch the edges of the pie crust to make sure that they don't brown too quickly. If needed, shield the edges of the pie crust by covering them with strips of aluminum foil.
- After the pie has finished baking, remove it from the oven onto a wire rack and let it cool at room temperature for 1 hour.
Video
Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, a home cook with 25+ years experience, and former AllRecipes Allstar, creating bold & easy Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes. Featured in publications like Parade and BuzzFeed. Read More…
Danielle Wolter says
This sounds just incredible! I haven’t had chess pie in forever, def going to try this.
Michele says
Hi Danielle, yes, it is incredible! I hope you love it.
Teodora Grujic says
Sounds delicious! And those variations, too! Can’t wait to try them all!
Natalie says
This pie is super easy! And looks delicious. I’m going to make it for my family this weekend. Can’t wait.
Gina says
This is the perfect recipe to create dessert out of practically nothing! So easy and the sweetest most delicious outcome!
Helen says
This looks delicious. My daughter loves anything custardy, so I think she’ll love this pie!
Wanda Thompson says
Made this pie when I was 11 years old.after school I worked for family ,getting there meal ready for dinner,an working for wife who had cancer,I grow up fast ,it was there favorite pie,,it’s been my family fav,I grew up in Tennessee,I love how it had a large crust swell up an drop to make a crust top ,yum the best,the husband an wife were great people ,she wasn’t able to get out of bed ,put when I lotion her back she taught me lots about cooking,as my mma did. I’m now 74 an still make them .Great pie♥️
Robin Lynn Johnson says
you had your hands full. I used to have supper ready when my parents got home. I was around 11 or 12 with a big brother and a baby brother. mom would leave note on table what she took out of freezer for me to cook. I didn’t mind. thought that’s what all kids did. No worries I’m 65 now and one heck of a cook as I’m sure you are. Dad used to say you can put together a meal with whatever is in that kitchen. It was a lot of work but we have both been blessed with love and wisdom starting at a young age. Continue to be blessed mam.
Jamie says
What kind of Cornmeal? White or yellow?
Michele says
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the question. I used yellow cornmeal. I updated the recipe to specify.
Thanks,
Michele
Steve says
well do you have to use yellow corn meal or just regular corn meal
Michele says
You can use regular corn meal.
colby says
Do you recommend blind baking the pie crust?
Michele says
Hi Colby,
When I made the pie, I used a store-bought refrigerated pie crust and did not blind bake it, and it turned out well. However, you certainly can blind bake the pie first if you like.
Thanks,
Michele
Sybil says
I wouldn’t blind bake. It turned out beautifully without. Everyone commented they loved the crust.
Brigette says
Was this a deep dish pie crust or regular? What is blind bake lol
Michele says
Hi Brigette,
I used a regular pie dish. See this Wikipedia article describing blind baking a pie crust.
Thanks,
Michele
Joyceann Gray says
Family recipe handed down
2 chess Pie Recipe
3 Cups of White Sugar
6 Eggs
1 Cup of Butter (soften)
2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
2 unbaked Pie Shells
1. Combine sugar and butter until smooth
2. Add eggs one at a time, mix well
3. Add Vinegar and mix well
4. Pour into pie crust.
5. Bake at 350o F for 50 Minutes or until browned and toothpick comes out pretty dry.
6. Let Set before cutting! Yes, you can refrigerate
Enjoy!
Joyceann Gray says
I forgot to say the desired crust forms without having to use cornmeal, vanilla or salt. It is a custard without milk products.
Lacy Oliver says
what’s the vinegar for or lemon juice, I know both are acidic but what’s its purpose
Michele says
Hi Lacy,
That’s a good question. The chess pie is very sweet, and as you point out, vinegar and lemon juice (depending on which you use), are acidic. The acidic ingredients balance out the sweetness of the pie.
Thanks,
Michele
Jessi May says
can u use corn meal mix ?
Michele says
Hi Jessi,
Corn meal mix is corn meal that contains baking powder, salt, and some flour. It is designed to for baking and to make corn bread rise. In this case, we are not trying to get it to rise. It is more for texture. I have not tried it in this recipe. If you do try it, let me know. If you have regular corn meal, I would recommend that.
Thanks,
Michele
Tammy Billingsley says
There used to be a bakery my mom went to in thomasville Nc. She would buy a chess pie every week, their pie was so creamy and had a light brown colored filling. I’ve tried almost every chess pie recipe I can find but they don’t have the light brown center. Do you have any ideas about what they used in their recipe?
Michele says
Hi Tammy,
I love your story. They could have used light brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey instead of white sugar. They could have added cinnamon to the filling, or maybe cocoa to create a chocolate chess pie. It’s hard to know. Is there anyone in the town that knows the history of that bakery that could maybe could shed some light on it?
Thanks,
Michele
Mae moore says
I am going to try this ok you say regular is this plain meal also do you have to use vinegar if you reduce sugar??
Michele says
Hi Mae,
I’m happy you’re going to try this recipe. I used plain yellow cornmeal. That’s a good question about the vinegar because the vinegar does offset some of the sweetness. If you reduce the sugar, you could try leaving out the vinegar, or use lemon juice instead, if you prefer. I have not tried it that way, but you could and let us know.
Thank you,
Michele
Lee says
My Chess pie always comes out runny. I have tried leaving it in the oven longer but then the crust gets to dark even when covered up. What am I doing wrong?
Michele says
Hi Lee,
There are a couple of things that you can try. Be sure to let it sit for an hour after baking to let it fully set. If it still didn’t set, then the next time you make the pie, try adding 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour to the pie filling in addition to the cornmeal, and that should help it set up. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Thanks,
Michele