Buttermilk Chess Pie

This classic Southern pie is simple yet delicious. Pantry staples and less than an hour deliver a decadent dessert with hints of vanilla, butter, and lemon. This buttermilk chess pie recipe is super easy to whip up for special occasions!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Southern

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Servings

Calories 369kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

1 9-inch pie shell, unbaked
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons (20g) cornmeal
1 tablespoons (10g) flour
1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
¼ cup (60ml) buttermilk
⅓ cup (80g) butter, melted
¼-½ teaspoon (1g) ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice or vinegar
1-1½ cup (200-300g) granulated sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (160℃).
Line the bottom of the pie crust with parchment paper and add dried beans on top. The beans will ensure that the bottom of the crust does not rise.
Bake for 5-6 minutes in a preheated oven, remove from the oven, and let it cool. You don't want the pie crust to brown too much.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, cornmeal, flour, vanilla, buttermilk, butter, nutmeg, lemon juice, and sugar.
Pour it into the pie crust and bake at 325°F (160℃) for 35-40 minutes, until the top is thoroughly browned or when a skewer inserted in the middle of the pie comes out clean. See note #2.
Let it cool for 10 minutes. Chess pie is great with berries and whipped cream!

Notes

If you want less sugar, one cup will sweeten the pie fine.
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.
Please let the pie cool completely before serving so the filling sets and the flavors meld (3-4 hours at room temperature).
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.
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.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Nutrition