Monday, November 17, 2008

Chocolate Chess Pie


This has got to be the absolute best pie that I've ever made. And that is really saying a lot, because I like every pie I make. Chess pie is a Southern classic, and is defined in Wikipedia as "a single crust and a filling composed of eggs, butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. What sets chess pie apart from many other custard pies is the substitution of corn meal for flour." This particular pie adds melted chocolate into the equation. It has a texture similar to pecan pie, but without the pecans. The corn meal, to my surprise, didn't add any grittiness at all - the pie was smooth and gelatinous, and deliciously rich. Present this at your Thanksgiving meal, and let the compliments fly!

Chocolate Chess Pie
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer your pie. I used 1 cup and it was really sweet. We all loved it!)
1 tbsp. corn meal
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked 9" pastry shell

Melt butter with chocolate. In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate and butter mixture with sugar, flour, salt, milk, eggs, and vanilla; beat with electric mixer for 5 to 6 minutes (I couldn't find my mom's mixer, so I used a whisk and beat it vigorously by hand. It worked out fine). Pour filling into prepared pastry shell; bake at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes, until set. Serve at room temperature, with whipped cream if desired.


Pastry Shell (aka pie crust)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
3-4 tbsp. cold water

Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening. Mix in enough water to make dough hold together. Roll out on floured surface and ease into pie plate. Trim and flute edges. Use as directed in recipe.


This pie, oh my gosh, I can't say enough about it. It really was a fantastic pie! The filling separated out into two layers - the bottom layer was similar to the filling of a pecan pie, and the top layer had all the chocolate. On the very top of the filling was a thin, almost crispy topping that literally melts in your mouth. The result is a fabulous pie that looks and tastes like you put a ton of work into it, when really it's quite simple and easy to make.

13 comments:

Rebekah said...

Yummy!!!!!!!!!

Michelle said...

You're killing me here! And just when I decided to cut back on the sugars in my diet!

Meg said...

A smooth sweet chocolate pie! I'll take a piece now!

Bridget said...

Y-U-M!!! I've never heard of CHOCOLATE Chess Pie!

Hayley said...

Looks Great :-D I need a pie dish!!! xxx

agapesmansion said...

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Candace Clark said...

Chocolate Chess Pie is one of my absolute favorites!

I will make this for my datghters daycare potluck on Friday.

(Have you ever tried lemon chess pie? If so I'd love to see the recipe, it's delicious as well)

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

You must have worked some muscles in your arm, whisking this by hand. I always regret this a few minutes in. The pie does sound very delicious. I have never tasted a pie quite like this before. I don't think most people have tasted a great variety of pies here in the uk. The standard options are rhubarb or apple.

Stephanie said...

Candace - I actually haven't tried lemon chess yet, this is the first chess pie I've ever made. But I really want to try a lemon chess pie. When I do, I will definitely post it!

Holler - I don't think I ended up whisking it for the full 5-6 minutes. Long enough for my arm to start hurting, then I called it good!

priscilla joy said...

this pie looks delicious! perfect pic!

Tina Butler said...

Stephanie that is one beautiful pie. I cant wait to try this, I have never had chocolate chess pie ~ Oh MY.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I made this pie a few months ago - it was soooo good! Definitely my favorite chocolate pie, and much easier than a chocolate cream pie.

One concern though - I used a 9" pie pan, and I ended up with a towering crust and thin filling. I was considering doubling the filling part. do you think it would maintain the same consistency?

Stephanie said...

Anonymous - I don't know. I've only ever just followed the recipe. Maybe your pan is a little bigger than 9"?

It probably wouldn't hurt to try making more filling, I'm sure it would turn out fine, just bake it a little longer. If you try it, let me know how it turns out! :)