A mini chess pie is ideal for one or two people to enjoy! This Southern favorite is made with a buttery crust and a rich, custard filling. Made with simple ingredients, we'll guide you through the steps to make this classic pie from scratch.
Prep Time25 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Cool1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr50 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: chess pie, mini pie, pie, southern chess pie, southern pie, vinegar pie
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, mix together the butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl until well blended. Next, add the flour, cornstarch, and salt and mix until combined.
Press the dough firmly into a lightly buttered 5-inch baking dish using your fingertips or the back of a spoon.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Make the pie filling
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornmeal, and flour.
Add the melted butter, milk, white vinegar, vanilla, and lightly beaten eggs to the bowl. Whisk until all of the ingredients are blended.
Pour the filling over the baked pie crust and place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills.
Carefully place the pie in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center of the pie no longer wobbles and a toothpick inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean.
Remove the pie from the oven and let the pie cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack or a trivet before enjoying.
Notes
Expert Tips
Before you start cooking, make sure to read the entire recipe, including the Ingredient Notes section, and examine the process photos. This detailed guide will help you understand how the recipe unfolds, ensuring your Chess Pie turns out perfect every time. All the information you need is found within the body of this recipe post, so don’t miss a thing!
Use the right size baking dish. We mention it again because it is so important. The success of this recipe depends on using the right size baking dish. We recommend using a 5x5-inch baking dish that has a base area of 25 square inches and holds 22 ounces. The dish we use and love can be found on our store page. You can also use a 4x6-inch baking dish for this mini chess pie recipe.
Let the pie cool before slicing. After baking, allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to ensure that the filling sets properly.
Don't overmix the filling. When making the filling for your chess pie, make sure not to overmix it as this can cause the pie to crack or become too dense.
How To Soften Butter For The Crust
The best way to soften your butter is to put it out on the kitchen counter for a half hour before you want to use it. Another way to quickly soften butter is to put the cold butter in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you use this method, be sure to watch carefully - you don't want the butter to melt at all.