This recipe is short, sweet and easy as pie. Too much? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Anyway, this is an additional recipe that is close to my heart and a great example of Southern cooking- rich, sweet and extremely addictive. When I was growing up, in Alabama, I spent a lot of my time in my grandparent’s kitchen, helping my Meme bake.  Ever since I could walk, I would drag a chair up beside her and stand on it, so I could help pour each ingredient into the mixing bowl. I watched her make chess pie so many times, when I decided to bake one by myself, I was able to do it from memory. Until now, I have never written the recipe down. It has been passed down from multiple generations, amongst our family. My grandmother learned it from baking with her mom, back during the 1930’s. So from my family’s table to yours, I give you, my great-grandmother’s chess pie recipe. ⇓⇓⇓

{Indulge a little, life is too short♥}

***Prep: 5-10 Minutes

***Cook: 50-60 Minutes

Ingredients

3 Large Eggs

6 Tbsp Melted Butter

3/4 or 1 Cup Sugar

1 Tablespoon Cornmeal

1 Teaspoon White Vinegar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 (9 inch) Unbaked Pie Crust

Directions↵

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF

2. Place the stick of butter in a microwavable bowl and place a napkin over the bowl, microwave the butter for 25 seconds.

3. In a large bowl, add the eggs, butter, sugar, cornmeal, vinegar and vanilla extract. ****Do not whisk the ingredients together until everything is added to the bowl.

4. Thoroughly whisk all of the ingredients together, then pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust. Bake for 50-60 minutes.

5. Let the pie cool. Cut and serve by itself or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Things I Have Learned/Perfected

• I add the ingredients in the order that I listed them above.
• For the sugar, if you like “sweet” use 1 cup. I found that if you use 3/4 cup sugar you can taste a very, very small hint of vinegar.
• When I add the vanilla extract, I do not use measuring spoons. My grandmother would just fill the cap, of the McCormick bottle, with vanilla extract and pour that in.
• I have tried using really rich, authentic vanilla extract, that I got on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, but it changes the original flavor too much. Use McCormick vanilla extract.
• Do not take the pie out when it is golden. Wait until you think it looks almost, slightly burnt to remove it from the oven.
• When it comes to the pie crust, I like to use Pet Ritz Regular Pie Crust.
  • I let my husband do the grocery shopping today…Naturally, he got the wrong pie crust. So today I used Marie Calendar’s deep-dish pie crust. Luckily the pie turned out just fine, so my husband doesn’t have to sleep on the couch tonight ; )
  • I have tried the recipe with a homemade pie crust, but it doesn’t pair well with the pie. The pre-made frozen pie crust is best for this recipe. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

This is such a quick and easy recipe, great for any holiday, special occasion or just because. Please share any suggestions or photos in the comments below! Now, if you’ll  excuse me, I am going to devour this little slice of heaven…with ice cream.

Love,

M&MJ