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    You are here: Home / Cuisines / American / Lemon Chess Pie

    Lemon Chess Pie

    14 May 2019 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Facebook8TweetPin131Yummly9Shares148
    Jump to Recipe

    This lemon chess pie recipe is just what you need to satisfy that craving for something sweet. Generally, the best part of enjoying a slice of lemon chess pie is that it offers the perfect balance between sweet and acidic. You should definitely try this delicious and refreshing cake. Undoubtedly, it’s packed with citrus flavours that resonate with every single bite. In essence, the more lemons you use, the more tangy and citrusy the lemon pie will be. In addition, this recipe is simple and inexpensive. Also, it doesn’t call for too many ingredients. So, making this lemon chess pie is the perfect way to make a gourmet bakery-style dessert out of the humble lemon. Lastly, you can even style it up and serve it with whipped cream or a meringue.

    A yellow lemon chess pie with a slice on a plate

    lemon chess pie – old fashioned recipe

    If you’ve been wondering how to make lemon chess pie, then this is one of the best lemon chess pie recipes out there! First, it’s simple, hassle free and above all – the result is delicious. All you need are eggs, butter, flour, pie crust (or make your own), caster sugar, cornmeal and lemons. I have a few tips and tricks on how to make the perfect lemon chess pie. In summary, the secret is in the lemons, but we’ll get to that later! First, let’s explore what chess pie is and where it comes from.

    where does chess pie come from?

    Believe it or not, chess pie in general originates from England. However, some historians argue that a chess pie dessert stems more from Southern American cuisine. Altogether, it is speculated that chess pie was brought over by the English into one of the New England colonies, most likely Virginia. In addition, there is evidence of chess pie being mentioned in an 18th-century cookbook by Martha Washington. Similarly, a chess pie recipe also appeared in a cookbook authored by Estelle Woods Wilcox, dating all the way back to 1877.

    Today however, chess pie is more comparable to traditional Southern cuisine. So, what exactly is chess pie?

    Ingredients to make lemon chess pie

    Consider a chess pie being a ‘fake’ cheese pie. Do you want to know why that is? It’s because chess pie does not call for cheese, but custard. In sum, lemon chess pie calls for lemon custard or lemon curd. Altogether, it’s a combination of eggs, butter, sugar, (sometimes buttermilk) and custard.

    crustless lemon chess pie

    First of all, you can make any chess pie without the crust as well. I just love eating the filling by itself and it’s a great way to cut down on carbs. If you opt for the crustless version of chess pie, then simply omit the crust. Place the filling in a deep dish and simply bake.

    Nevertheless, if you feel like making your crust, feel free to do so. If you are looking for a fantastic pie crust recipe, then click on this cherry crumble pie. I took a clever shortcut here and decided to cut down the cooking time. Hence, I bought pre-made pie crust, which is really accessible these days. You can use it for all sorts of pies. What’s best is that it cuts down the cooking and preparation time of this entire dessert, making the entire process a piece of cake. Literally! 

    Kitchenaid blender

    lemon chess pie filling with KitchenAid

    Here comes the best part of any pie. The filling! First of all, to make the perfect filling, I used the 4.8 L ARTISAN Stand Mixer from KitchenAid. It’s not the first time I’ve used KitchenAid products, and I am pretty sure that most people have a KitchenAid product at home. KitchenAid began all the way back in 1886, and it started with a woman called Josephine Cochrane who revolutionised the world of cooking. In fact, not only is she credited with inventing the dishwasher, she also patented more than 9 products in her lifetime.

    In 1919, the first electrical mixer was introduced by Herbert Johnson, whose wife directly influenced the brand’s name. The first model was called the H5. Naturally, the first model was immediately popular. Throughout the century, mixers and other KitchenAid products and appliances  came to change the way people cooked. In 2016, the first KitchenAid flagship store was launched in London. To learn more about KitchenAid, click right here.

    Looking into the inside of the blender

    how to make lemon pie

    Regarding the 4.8 L ARTISAN Stand Mixer, it was really a pleasure cooking with it. That’s because it made me feel like preparing pie takes literally no time at all. It was very functional, versatile and fun to use. 

    Moreover, it comes with a wide choice of optional attachments and accessories like these for example:

    • 4.8 L Bowl
    • 3 L Bowl
    • Pouring Shield
    • 6-Wire Whip
    • Flat Beater
    • Flex Edge Beater
    • Dough Hook and more

    Just take a look at my cooking process.

    A scoop of butter on a measuring scale

    I could perfectly measure out the amount of butter I needed and toss it in the bowl.

    A close up of the scale

    In essence, I could say the same about measuring out the caster sugar. 

    The Kitchenaid blender features

    Ultimately, I was able to make my perfect filling! 

    The blender mixing a bowl of liquid to make lemon chess pie  

    Just one more fact worth mentioning. At this point, I opted for this beautiful light blue colour. However, you can personalise your KitchenAid products and select from a wide variety of colours. I am sure you’ll pick your favourite.

    lemon chess pie without cornmeal

    Now, chess pie is usually made with cornmeal. It acts like a thickener. Most importantly, the cornmeal as well as the flour act like consistency controllers. However, you can opt for not adding cornmeal. You might have to add a little more flour so the filling is not runny. Ultimately, add less lemon juice and opt for more lemon zest.

    A slice of lemon chess pie being taken away from the pie

    best lemons for lemon dessert

    Here is the trick I’ve been dying to share with you. Generally speaking, since lemons are the key ingredient in this lemon chess pie, you will need to make sure you source the best possible lemons.

    Therefore, go for bio lemons – always! If you can’t get your hands on bio lemons, go for normal ones. Above all, soak them in hot water for a minute or two. This way, you wash the wax right off and you can use the zest for cooking.

    A close up of the pie

    Next if you have leftover lemons, don’t throw them away! In essence you can use them in every single meal. Nevertheless, you can make these luscious drizzled lemon curd cupcakes. So delicious! Otherwise, for a more glamorous dessert, you can try making this white opera cake with lemon butter cream. 

    Also, you can try making these amazing mother’s day cupcakes.

    lemon chess pie with sweetened condensed milk

    If you don’t want to add too much lemon juice and control the acidity, you can play with the sweetness instead. Add a can of sweetened condensed milk. To be sure, control the consistency spoonful by spoonful. Also, just keep a close eye if the mix is too runny.

    An aerial view of the pie with a slice taken out of it

    variations

    Here’s food for thought. Now that you know how to make lemon chess pie, you can try making mini lemon chess pies.

    Follow the recipe, just putting the filling in smaller crusts. Ultimately, you control the size.

    Finally, you can also consider these popular variations:

    • lemon cheese pie
    • buttermilk lemon chess pie recipe
    • almond chess pie
    • pumpkin lemon cream cheese chess pie
    • pecan chess pie
    • apple chess pie
    • coconut chess pie
    • lime chess pie

    So, enjoy making this incredible lemon chess pie! You won’t regret it!

    Print
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    Lemon Chess Pie


    ★★★★★

    5 from 12 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 1 hour
    • Yield: 10
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Go for this amazing lemon chess pie recipe. You only need a handful of ingredients which include: lemons, pie crust, butter, eggs, cornmeal, sugar & flour.


    Ingredients

    • 1 (23cm/9in) sweet pie crust
    • 5 large eggs
    • 300g (1½ cups) caster sugar
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) lemon zest
    • 45ml (3 tbsp) fresh lemon juice
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) yellow cornmeal
    • 15ml (1 tbsp) all-purpose flour
    • 1.25ml (¼ tsp) salt
    • 115g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted 

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F/gas mark 3.
    2. Whisk the eggs, sugar, lemon zest and juice together until well blended.
    3. Sprinkle in the cornmeal, flour and salt.
    4. Slow drizzle in the cooled butter until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
    5. Pour the filling into the pie shell.
    6. Transfer the pie to the oven and bake for 40 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the centre set.
    7. Cool on a wire rack for one hour then transfer the pie to the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
    8. Serve for dessert. The pie will store in the fridge for 2 days.

    Notes

    • There are a few options when it comes to the sweet pie crust. Firstly, the pie crust can be store bought – ready for you to pour in the filling and bake. Secondly, you can buy ready made shortcrust pastry (375g/13oz should be enough) and roll it out yourself, then bake accordingly to product instructions. Lastly, you can make the sweet shortcrust pastry yourself from scratch, which will yield best results.
    • In the USA, yellow cornmeal is used, and isn’t readily available in shops elsewhere. Polenta and semolina are good substitutes.
    • Prep Time: 20 mins
    • Cook Time: 40 mins
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: lemon chess pie, Bill Clinton lemon chess pie recipe, southern cuisine, how to make lemon chess pie

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    A lemon chess pie with a slice being taken out of it

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erika

      May 28, 2019 at 6:45 pm

      Yum! I love anything lemon flavored and this dessert looks amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Stine Mari

      May 29, 2019 at 6:13 pm

      It looks so fruity and so good! I’ve never heard about chess pie before, at first I thought it was a typo. But I love the name – and the pie obviously!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Amanda

      May 30, 2019 at 2:21 am

      I always love a good citrusy pie for summer, so I found this recipe at the perfect time! What a delicious and simple recipe that will definitely be a hit at our summer get-togethers. Thanks for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Kelly Anthony

      May 30, 2019 at 8:35 pm

      Simply beautiful. This looks like the perfect balance of sweet and tangy perfect for any summer day.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Jenni LeBaron

      May 30, 2019 at 8:44 pm

      This Lemon Chess pie looks dreamy! Perfect for summer dining. I also love that the Kitchenaid has such helpful attachments these days!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness

      June 01, 2019 at 2:06 am

      I have only heard of a chess pie, but never really knew what it was. So this is what it looks like!!
      I always crave lemon desserts during the summer, so this is right up my alley!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Jacqueline Debono

      June 02, 2019 at 7:13 pm

      I havenever tried lemon chess pie but it looks delicious. I love lemon flavoured desserts and cakes. Dying to give this one a try!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Ramona

      June 02, 2019 at 11:22 pm

      Anything lemon for me would do. This lemon chess pie looks gorgeous and shouts out my name – I must make ASAP. Recipe saved -totally yumm

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Renu

      June 04, 2019 at 10:18 am

      That lemon pie looks absolutely droolworthy. What a beautiful dessert this is. I am sure my family would love this and I love the fact that how easy it is to make.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. April

      June 06, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      I am so ready to satisfy my craving for a good delicious pie – this recipe looks absolutely amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Mimi

      June 06, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      When I need a lemon-flavored dessert, I always make a pie. This could be my next favorite lemon pie recipe – yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Blake

      June 27, 2022 at 3:45 am

      Thank for sharing this recipe! I made it no problem following your instructions, (forgot the cornmeal). #firstbuttermilkpie

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Blake

      June 27, 2022 at 3:47 am

      Thank for sharing this recipe! I made it no problem following your instructions, (forgot the cornmeal). #firstlemonchesspie

      Reply
      • Michelle Minnaar

        September 13, 2022 at 12:31 pm

        Thanks for letting me know, Blake. There’s always a next time. 😉

        Reply

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    about michelle

    Welcome to my eclectic collection of recipes from all four corners of the world. I hope to inspire you to get into the kitchen and never eat a boring meal ever again. Want to know more?

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