Chess pie

Chess pie

A vanilla buttermilk chess pie
Type	Pie
Place of origin	England
Main ingredients	Pie crust, eggs, butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, corn meal
Variations	Lemon chess pie, vinegar pie

Chess pie is a dessert characteristic of Southern U.S. cuisine.

According to James Beard's American Cookery (1972), chess pie was brought from England originally and was found in New England as well as Virginia. The origin of the name chess pie may have come from the term "pie chest", another name for a pie safe.

Recipes vary, but all the variations call for the preparation of a single crust and a filling composed of eggs, butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla. What sets chess pie apart from many other custard pies is the addition of cornmeal. Some recipes also call for corn syrup, which tends to create a thicker consistency.

In addition to standard chess pie, other flavor variations include lemon, coconut and chocolate chess pie.