After successfully making a decadent custardy Coconut Cream Pie, I decided to try my hand at another Southern classic. Buttermilk Chess Pie was the perfect cure for my incurable sweet tooth, besides baking being my therapy. It has become one of my favorite pies. If only eating pie were as healthy as eating broccoli 😉. Oh well! But that won’t stop me from sharing this insanely mouthwatering and easy homemade buttermilk chess pie. Colonists who came from England brought with them their beloved lemon curd pie recipes. But where did the name chess pie come from? My favorite explanation is a misunderstanding because of the Southern access. “It’s just pie” turned into “It’s jes’ pie,” which became chess pie.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Buttermilk Chess Pie
Bake Crust – Preheat oven to 325°F (160℃). Put the crust into a pie plate, line the bottom with parchment paper, and add dried beans on top so it doesn’t rise. Bake it for 5-6 minutes in the preheated oven; then remove your buttermilk pie from the oven and let it cool. You don’t want the pie crust to be too brown. (Photo 1) Combine the eggs, cornmeal, flour, vanilla, buttermilk, butter, nutmeg, lemon juice, and sugar in a large bowl. (Photo 2) Bake – Pour the pie filling into the shell and bake at 325°F (160℃) for 35-40 minutes. The top will be nicely browned, or a tester will come out clean when inserted into the middle. (Photo 3) Cool for about 10 minutes so the filling firms up. Chess pie is great with berries and whipped cream! (Photo 4)
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Make holiday dinners stress-free by making this beauty up to four days ahead! After baking, let your pie cool completely, wrap it with plastic, and keep it in the fridge. It’s delicious cold or at room temperature. You might get away with freezing it, but the high moisture content affects the texture when thawed. Wrap your cooled pie tightly with two layers of plastic wrap, then put it in a large freezer bag and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then unwrap and bring it to room temperature to serve.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Buttermilk chess pie is heavenly after resting on the counter for 2-3 hours. Dust it with powdered sugar or top with a dollop of whipped cream, and bask in the smiles! Wrap the leftovers in plastic and refrigerate them for 3-4 days. You can also keep leftovers tightly wrapped in the freezer for up to two months. Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight and serve them cold or at room temperature.
What to Serve With Buttermilk Chess Pie
For a holiday feast, buttermilk chess pie is a tasty finish to baked spatchcock turkey or pellet grilled whole chicken, cream cheese mashed potatoes, and honey-glazed carrots. A dollop of homemade lemon curd and whipped cream are great toppings for this tangy dessert.
More Delectable Custard Pie Recipes to Try
Watch How to Make It
This blog post was originally published in November 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
