Chess Pie Recipe: How to Make a Classic Chess Pie

Chess pie is a classic Southern dessert featuring a simple custard filling made with sugar, butter, and eggs, poured into a single flaky pie crust. While its name likely wasn’t inspired by the game of chess, it may be an alteration of the word “chest,” a reference to pie chests (also known as pie safes), or cupboards that people once used to store baked goods before the advent of refrigeration.

“Chess” is also an archaic spelling of “cheese,” and chess pie recipes are similar to early English recipes for cheeseless cheesecakes. Wherever the name came from, chess pie has been a staple in the American South since the mid-nineteenth century.

Chess pie’s basic custard filling is the perfect canvas for other flavorings.

1. 1. Buttermilk chess pie: Replace the whole milk with buttermilk to create a tangy buttermilk pie filling.
2. 2. Chocolate chess pie: Add cocoa powder to your chess pie for a dessert any chocolate lover will devour.
3. 3. Coconut chess pie: Add coconut extract and shredded coconut to the chess pie filling for a more tropical flavor.
4. 4. Honey chess pie: Replace half of the granulated sugar with honey for a rich, honeyed custard pie filling.
5. 5. Lemon chess pie: Replace the white vinegar with a few tablespoons of lemon juice and lemon zest to create a lemony chess pie.
6. 6. Orange chess pie: Swap the vanilla extract for orange extract and mix the zest of a large orange into the pie to imbue it with a subtle citrus flavor.
7. 7. Pecan chess pie: Create a pecan pie-inspired dessert by adding chopped pecans into the chess pie filling, or line the top with whole pecans placed in a decorative pattern.

While this easy recipe is suitable for bakers of all levels, these tips will help ensure a delicious final product:

1. 1. Bake until the center fully sets: The high moisture level of this Southern pie requires a relatively long baking time. You’ll know the pie is ready when the center no longer jiggles. If there is still a slight jiggle to the filling at the end of the baking time, continue to bake until the custard fully sets.
2. 2. Cool completely before slicing: Unlike apple pie, chess pie tastes best when completely cool. Let the pie rest for at least an hour before slicing into it to ensure a firm filling.
3. 3. Store properly: Aim to eat chess pie shortly after baking it. However, the dessert will last up to three days when properly stored. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.