5 from 3 votes
Chess Pie Bars with Dark Chocolate
The texture and flavor of the filling lies somewhere between a custard pie and a pecan pie. And I included chunks of dark chocolate, just like I enjoyed it in Louisville.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
16
bars
Calories:
316 kcal
Course:
Baked Goods
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- For the crust:
- 1.25 c. all-purpose flour
- ¼ c. sugar
- pinch salt
- ½ c. butter at room temperature, unsalted
- For the filling:
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 T. cornmeal
- 1 T. all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ c. butter melted, unsalted
- ¼ c. heavy cream
- 1 T. white vinegar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract pure
- 4 egg lightly beaten, large
- 4 oz. dark chocolate roughly chopped (I used Ghirardelli bittersweet 60% cacao, good quality
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
for the crust:
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Spray a 9" square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until crumbly. Then quickly mix with hands until it forms a dough. Don’t worry if it seems a bit dry. Press dough evenly onto the bottom of prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove to cooling rack while preparing the filling.
Cup of Yum
for the filling:
- Increase oven temperature to 350° F.
- Stir together brown sugar, sugar, cornmeal, flour, and salt. Add butter, cream, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix well. Then add the eggs and stir well to combine. Fold in the chocolate pieces and then pour mixture into pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 50 minutes, or until the filling is browned and set. Cool completely on a wire rack. To expedite the chocolate setting up in the bars, you can place the pan in the refrigerator for awhile before cutting.
- Finish with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Inspired by a delicious piece of Chess Pie from a visit to Louisville, KY. Recipe heavily adapted from Southern Living (March 2000).
Nutrition Information
Serving
1
Calories
316kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
(35%)
Cholesterol
82mg
(27%)
Sodium
70mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
30g
(60%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 316
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 316kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 70mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 30g | 60% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.