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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.
Linda says
Hi, Leigh Ann! Can’t wait to try this. Love me some chess pie. However, I have gone through this twice and cannot see a link to your oatmeal cookie – may be blind, though. Apologies if so. Which of your oatmeal cookie recipes did you use to make the crust, please?
patsy wyatt says
how to keep a chocolate chess from cracking on top?
Leigh Anne says
Not sure – sorry!
Liz says
I can’t wait to try this pie. Thanks Leigh Anne. Congrats to your family – handsome and pretty too. Graduation is such an accomplishment!
MISSY SUIT says
This is the pie (I think). That we go to Louisville Ky to eat at the resturant. I am going to give it a try real soon!!!!!!!!!
Ellen says
The real deal at Momofuku rocks, even at the prices they charge. Remember, it’s New York, it’s Momofuku’s, it feeds a bunch. Obviously, now being able to make it at home, how lucky are we!?!?!?! Now, if we could get our hands on the “REAL” Momofuku Korean & Southern Fried Chicken, matched with this pie……..you’d die and think you went to heaven!!!!!!!