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Mom's Chess Pie

Photo Credit
Jeremy Pawlowski/Shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
8 servings
Category
Pies and Pastries
Course
Desserts
Credit
Andrea White, Indianapolis, Indiana Indiana State Fair, Indi
Sources
Blue Ribbon Recipes

Chess Pie is a custard-style pie with a crisp browned topping and is especially popular in the South. Why is it called Chess Pie? As one story goes, a Southern gentleman came home one evening and asked his wife, an accomplished but modest cook, what smelled so good. “It’s jes’ pie,” she replied.

This classic Chess Pie recipe is from Andrea White’s mother, Fredia Hankins, who lives in Muncie, Indiana. Andrea has entered Chess Pie in many competitions and always places with her mom’s recipe.

Also, try our Chocolate Chess Pie.

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon cornmeal
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon whiskey
pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter and blend in the eggs.
  3. Add the milk, flour, cornmeal, salt, vanilla, vinegar, and whiskey, blending well after each addition.
  4. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the pastry. Pour the filling into the crust.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for about 30 minutes more, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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Comments

<span>Kimberly H</span> Thu, 11/13/2025 - 09:06
Do you use a shallow or deep-dish pie crust?
<span>Stephanie J Bell</span> Mon, 04/13/2015 - 19:52
I AM SURE IT WOULD BE WORTH A TRY. My daughter loved trying new recipes and then adjusting ingredients to make the recipe her own. That is why I have always loved being in the kitchen also the challenge of working with what little there might be in th cupboard and the reward of creating a new family favorite.
<span>Nancy Brown 2</span> Thu, 05/05/2011 - 06:52
What kind of whiskey? The only thing I have on hand is Crown Royal, will that work? I love Chess Pie but have never made it, just might try this out.