Southern Chess Pie has a rich, buttery custard filling made from eggs, sugar, butter, and a small amount of cornmeal, all baked in a simple pastry shell. The cornmeal helps the filling set with a slightly firm top and a soft, creamy interior. It bakes in about 45 minutes and is best served at room temperature.
1 ½cupsgranulated sugarEnsure it's fine grain for smooth blending.
½cupunsalted buttermelted and cooled slightly.
4largeeggsroom temperature
1tablespooncornmealwhite or yellow, for texture.
2tablespoonsall-purpose floursifted
¼cupwhole milk
1teaspoonvanilla extractpure for best flavor.
Crust
1store-boughtpie crustor homemade if preferred
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Press the pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan, ensuring there's an even edge. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter, eggs, cornmeal, and flour until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the milk and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk until fully incorporated.
Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the pie is set and golden brown on top. A little jiggle in the center is normal as it will set upon cooling.
Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving to ensure the filling is firm.
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Notes
Tammy’s Tips
For a twist, add a teaspoon of lemon zest into the filling for a citrusy uplift.
If desired, substitute a gluten-free flour blend to make this pie suitable for gluten intolerances.