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4.9 from 24 votes

Lemon Chess Pie

This lemon chess pie is a classic southern dessert with a flaky pie crust and a curd-like filling… it is both sweet and tangy, and will steal your heart!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 389 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 9-inch pie shell, at room temp
  • 1 tablespoon cornmeal
  • 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 ⅔ cups sugar 330 g
  • ½ teaspoon salt optional
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • ¾ cups lemon juice freshly squeezed (you’ll need about 3 lemons). If you prefer yours less tangy, use ½ cup lemon juice and ¼ cup water.
  • 5 large eggs at room temperature

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oven to 400° F (205° C).
  2. Using a fork, prick the bottom and sides of the pie crust. Bake for about 10-11 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Let it cool before adding the filling.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Whisk together cornmeal, cornstarch, sugar, and salt until you see no more lumps. Then whisk in the melted butter, lemon juice, and eggs for about 2 minutes or until homogeneous and bubbly.
  4. Make sure to whisk the eggs well because you don’t want to taste the eggs in the baked pie.
  5. Pour the filling into the cool pie crust and decrease the oven temperature to 375° F (190° C).
  6. Place the pie onto a large baking sheet and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
  7. If the pie crust appears to be browning too much, place a foil ring around the edge of the pie crust.
  8. Let the pie cool completely on a rack. Chill in the fridge for a few hours before slicing. This will allow the filling to set well.

Notes

  • STORAGE
  • You can store chess pies at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, covered.  Or you can chill it in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended because this will alter the texture of the custardy filling. If this is not an issue for you you may freeze it, well wrapped, for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 389kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 56g (19%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 125mg (42%) Sodium 273mg (11%) Potassium 90mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 42g (84%) Vitamin A 412IU (8%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 24mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 389

% Daily Value*

Calories 389kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 56g 19%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 273mg 11%
Potassium 90mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 42g 84%
Vitamin A 412IU 8%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.