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This delicious Chess Pie is a classic southern pie that is so easy to make. Sweet and gooey, just one bite and you will be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
I was first introduced to this pie when I was reading an article in the Oregonian FoodDay and saw a recipe for a Chess or Crack Pie they were selling at the Momofuku Bakery in Manhattan. They were selling for $44 a pie!! The title of the article is what caught my attention. “You’ll get hooked on Crack Pie”. I knew I had to make it right away so I’ve come up with my own version and it is totally addictive!
Tips
- Use a 9-inch pie plate for this pie.
- This pie is great with a graham cracker crust or a pastry crust.
- The Momofuku Milk Bar Crack Pie is made with an oatmeal cookie crust and is delicious. I used this crispy oatmeal cookie recipe.
Ingredients Needed
- 9 inch graham cracker crust, cookie crust or pastry crust (parbaked)
- Sugar. Granulated sugar and light brown sugar.1
- Heavy whipping cream or whole milk
- Butter, salted melted
- Vanilla extract
- Egg yolks
- Cornmeal
- All purpose flour
- White vinegar
- Powdered sugar for garnish.
How to Make Chess Pie
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, add sugars, flour, cornmeal
- Pour in eggs, melted butter, milk, vinegar and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Pour mixture into prepared 9 inch pie crust (see tip section below)
- Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown on top and slightly jiggly. Check the pie after 15-20 minutes and place a piece of aluminum foil on top to keep it from getting too brown.
- Remove pie from oven and cool on rack.
- Refrigerate the cooled pie until well chilled or enjoy warm. It will be runny if served warm.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you serve Chess pie chilled or warm?
It’s your choice. Either way, it tastes like heaven! I’ve eaten it both ways but I do prefer it warm. Let me know which way you choose!
Does Chess pie need to be refrigerated?
Keep any leftover pie covered or in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Can I use unsalted butter instead?
Yes you can but add in 1/8 tsp of salt with dry ingredients.
What is the best way to reheat chess pie?
Reheat individual slices in the microwave for a minute or two.
Other favorite recipes:
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Chess Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs or use oatmeal cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar use brown sugar if using cookie crumbs.
- 5 Tbsp butter salted and melted
Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream or whole milk
- 1/2 cup butter, salted melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 Tbsp cornmeal
- 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- powdered sugar for garnish.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl whisk together sugars, flour, cornmeal.
- Add in egg yolks, melted butter, milk, vinegar and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until smooth and combined.
- Pour mixture into prepared 9 inch pie crust. If using a graham cracker or cookie crust it should be baked before hand. If using a pastry crust it should be parbaked. See notes above for how to parbake crust.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown on top and slightly jiggly. Check the pie after 15-20 minutes and place a piece of aluminum foil on top to keep it from getting too brown.
- Remove pie from oven and cool on rack
- Refrigerate the cooled pie until well chilled
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
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TidyMom says
Oh LeighAnne this sounds incredible!!….I was sold the moment you said homemade oatmeal cookies for the crust!! OMG what a great idea!! I can’t wait to try this!!
Thanks for sharing and linking up!!
amanda says
M. Moore, I bet I know what pie you are talking about. My mom made it for me and her mom made it for her. We call it goody pie because it is so good. You take the leftover crust and put it in a mini pie pan then fill with brown sugar, dot with butter, pour a little cream over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and bake until browned.
Gina says
Anderson Cooper was raving about this pie on Regis and Kelly. He was so addicted to it that the next day he came in with pie for everyone! Don’t know when I’ll be in NY, so I’ll have to try this one! Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to send it to Anderson!
Robin says
This looks wonderful. Have you ever tried the Buttermilk Pie at Magelby’s in Provo? I have always wanted the recipe for that but they aren’t giving it away. This looks like it could be similar. Magelby’s serves the Buttermilk Pie with fruit and a dallop of whipped cream. I will be trying this recipe soon. Thank you!
Heidi says
Oooooooooooh my goodness, you’re killing me! I’m trying to be good this week (though we just won’t talk about the caramel apple I ate last night). Pretty sure this is going on the Easter weekend menu.