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5.0 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 of salt
  • ½ c. unsalted butter at room temperature
  • For the filling:
  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 2 T. cornmeal
  • 1 T. all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ½ c. unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ c. heavy cream
  • 1 T. white vinegar
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 4 oz. good quality dark chocolate roughly chopped (I used Ghirardelli bittersweet 60% cacao.)
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions

for the crust:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Spray a 9" square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. 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.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove to cooling rack while preparing the filling.
for the filling:
  1. Increase oven temperature to 350° F.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Cholesterol 82mg (27%) Sodium 70mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 30g (60%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16bars

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.