Chess PIE
- 20m Prep Time
- 55m Cook Time
- 1h 15mReady In
A classic chess pie with a buttery, flaky crust and a rich, custard-like filling made with eggs, cream, and brown sugar. The addition of cornmeal and vinegar gives it a subtle tang and a slightly chewy texture.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ recipe All-Butter Pie or Pastry Dough (opens in new tab)
- 1 large egg yolk, beaten
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (155g) or buttermilk (160g)
- 6 tablespoons (3 oz or 85g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100g) sugar
- ½ cup packed (115g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (10g) fine yellow or white cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon distilled white or cider vinegar
- (1 teaspoon vanilla)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Let's Prepare
Collect
Gather these ingredients — no prep needed yet.
- 1 ½ recipe All-Butter Pie or Pastry Dough
- 1 large egg yolk, beaten
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (155g) or buttermilk (160g)
- 6 tablespoons (3 oz or 85g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100g) sugar
- ½ cup packed (115g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (10g) fine yellow or white cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon distilled white or cider vinegar
- (1 teaspoon vanilla)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Let's Cook
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Step 1.
Line a 9-inch pie pan with: ½ recipe All-Butter Pie or Pastry Dough
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Step 2.
Bake the crust as directed in About Blind Baking Crusts. After removing the pie weights, glaze the crust with: 1 large egg yolk, beaten
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Step 3.
Return the crust to the oven until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Whisk in a large heatproof bowl just until no yellow streaks remain: ⅔ cup heavy cream (155g) or buttermilk (160g); 6 tablespoons (3 oz or 85g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; 3 large egg yolks; ½ cup (100g) sugar; ½ cup packed (115g) brown sugar; 1 tablespoon (10g) fine yellow or white cornmeal; 1 tablespoon distilled white or cider vinegar; (1 teaspoon vanilla); ½ teaspoon salt
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Step 4.
Pour the filling into the crust. Bake until the edges are firm and the center seems set but quivery, like gelatin, when the pan is nudged, 40 to 50 minutes.