Buttermilk Chess Pie

Content… What Is It? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Delectable Custard Pie Recipes to Try Watch How to Make It

What Is Buttermilk Chess Pie?

Many Southern recipes are a tribute to human ingenuity. Hey, use what you have on hand to make something delicious. Pantry staple ingredients include flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and milk (if you have it).

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

1. Pie Shell – A premade pie crust saves time and stress on busy days. But feel free to make a homemade pie crust.
2. Eggs, as the base of most custards, provide structure and make the custard deliciously creamy.
3. Thickeners – Cornmeal and flour thicken the filling and brown to a beautiful golden on top.
4. Flavors – Vanilla provides a delicious aroma, while buttermilk and fresh lemon juice give acidity to balance the sugar’s sweetness. Nutmeg delivers earthy warmth, and butter gives it a creamy mouthfeel.

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

1. No Buttermilk? – Make your own by mixing one teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice in ¼ cup milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, and add to the filling.
2. Buttermilk Swap – You can replace the buttermilk with ¼ cup coconut milk mixed with a teaspoon of light-colored vinegar.
3. Fruit Add-Ins – Sprinkle sliced strawberries on the pie crust before adding the filling for a fruity burst. Other fruits, such as blueberries and blackberries, are also excellent.
4. Lemon Chess Pie – Replace the buttermilk with an additional ½ cup of lemon juice for a zesty lemon chess pie.
5. Coconut Chess Pie – Add 1½ cups shredded coconut and a teaspoon of coconut extract to the filling for a taste of the tropics. Then sprinkle the top of the pie with toasted coconut for garnish.
6. Caramel Chess Pie – Swap 1 cup of white sugar with brown sugar for an irresistible caramel treat!

Tips and Tricks

1. If you want less sugar, one cup will sweeten the pie fine.
2. If your chess pie is just slightly runny in the middle, turn off the oven and leave it inside for 5-10 minutes. That should give it time to finish cooking.
3. Please let the pie cool completely before serving so the filling sets and the flavors meld (3-4 hours at room temperature).
4. Don’t worry if the pie cracks because it’s normal for this pie recipe. The sugar and starch are working together to give the pie a crispy crust.
5. For the tastiest results, the pie crust and filling should be close to the same temperature before assembling. So, allow the pie crust to cool before adding the filling.

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

1. Pumpkin Pie
2. Bourbon Pecan Pie
3. Boston Cream Pie
4. Key Lime Pie

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.