Classic Southern Chess Pie
A sunny, sweet cornmeal-and-vinegar custard pie with a slightly grainy filling and caramelized top — old-fashioned Southern pantry baking at its finest.
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Ingredients
- 1unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 1 1/2 cupsgranulated sugar
- 1 tbspyellow cornmeal
- 1 tbspall-purpose flour
- 1/4 tspsalt
- 4 largeeggs
- 1/4 cupbuttermilk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick)unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbspwhite vinegar
- 1 tspvanilla extract
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Method
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate, crimp the edges, and chill while making the filling.
- 2
Whisk sugar, cornmeal, flour, and salt together in a large bowl to distribute the cornmeal evenly.
- 3
Whisk in the eggs one at a time, then whisk in buttermilk, melted butter, vinegar, and vanilla until smooth.
- 4
Pour the filling into the chilled crust.
- 5
Bake 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is just set with a slight jiggle — it will firm up as it cools.
- 6
Cool completely on a wire rack, at least 3 hours, before slicing — the cornmeal is what gives the classic filling its slightly grainy texture and sunny color.
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