Blueberry Chess Pie


Having not grown up in the South, I had never heard of a "chess pie".

Leafing thru the new issue of Bon Appetit magazine, I came across a beautiful looking thing called a Blueberry Chess Pie.
I did some research and found many recipes for this Southern "pie".

I liked the look of this so called chess thing......but most of the Southern recipes used a ton of sugar (like 2 plus cups!), but this one only used 1 cup, not too bad.......so I decided to give it a go.

If you are not familiar, this dessert has a custard like consistency, not a fruit pie at all.
You can probably make it without a crust, but why not make a nice crust so you can call it a pie.

A little cakey, a little piey (not a word), and a little custardy.

The verdict: LOVED.

The perfect vehicle to show off my NJ blueberries.

I changed a few things around, because there was just too much batter for a 9" pie. You can click on the link for the original recipe, or stick with me, I wouldn't steer you wrong.


Blueberry Chess Pie: (adapted from Bon Appetit)

pie crust recipe for a 9" pie.

Filling:

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp of flour
2 tbsp cornmeal plus a teaspoon
1 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
zest of an orange
pinch of salt
1 tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
8 tbsp (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup of buttermilk (I used 1 cup 2% milk mixed w/ a tbsp of vinegar)
2 cups blueberries

The recipe wants you to pre-bake your pie shell at 350F, however, the recipe I use does not require pre-baking. I just fill it and bake.
Make your favorite pie crust recipe or you can use store bought if you like, I won't tell.

Turn the oven down to 325F.

Mix the flour, cornmeal, zest, sugar and salt in a large bowl.

Mix the softened butter and the vanilla into the bowl with a mixer and add in the eggs, one at a time.

Add in the buttermilk at the end. It's ok if the batter is sort of broken.
Carefully, mix in the blueberries with a spatula and pour the batter into the prepared pie shell.

Bake 50 minutes at 325F until top is golden, and center is just set (still has a little jiggle).


Let cool an hour before slicing.

We loved this warm the best, but also delicious cold and firm from the fridge the next day (I could eat it any old way).


We have a winner.

Comments

The JR said…
Ohhhhhhhhh, looks good. I'll have to give it a try as a treat.
Thanks for the recipe.
yumyuminthetum said…
Wow, this looks amazing... now I am torn between the making the blueberry cornbread or this... what do you suggest?
Stacey Snacks said…
yum yum,
I would make both!

However, the cornbread is better for breakfast and coffee.....the Chess Pie is much richer and only stays good about a day or so!

They are ALL SO GOOD!

Stacey
yumyuminthetum said…
Thanks, cornbread it is!
Chess pie next weekend :)
Blueberry + cornmeal = amazing combo. Thanks for the recipes!
Natalia said…
That looks amazing - can't wait to try it this weekend. We're heading to 2 parties!
Anonymous said…
Can you make this without a crust? In a round or square 8" cake pan, for example?

L Rosen
Stacey Snacks said…
L. Rosen,
As the post says.....yes, this probably could be made crustless.......it would come out great.

Yes, try it in an 8 or 9" well greased cake pan.

Stacey
Mollie said…
Wow, I must try this. I have some friends who would love this! I must share it with my friends. It looks so yumm!
Mollie said…
Wow, I must try this. I have some friends who would love this! I must share it with my friends. It looks so yumm!
Janice said…
I made the cornbread earlier this week and it was one of the best I've tried. Making this for a cookout tomorrow. Can you tell I've got an overload of jersey blueberries too? Not that I'm complaining!
Unknown said…
How much softened butter?