Baked Chocolate Chess Pie with Buttery Crust
A Southern classic featuring a rich, custardy chocolate filling nestled inside a flaky, buttery pie crust. This southern-inspired desserts ready in about 95 minutes layers all-purpose flour, ice water, bittersweet chocolate, chopped into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 3 tbsp ice water
- 4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cornmeal
- 3 large eggs
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. To make the crust, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt in a large bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup cold diced unsalted butter using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 3 tbsp ice water, tossing with a fork until dough just comes together. Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, trim edges to 1/2 inch beyond rim, then fold under and crimp. Chill crust while preparing filling.
- Step 3: Melt 4 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until smooth; set aside to cool slightly.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar with 3 tbsp cornmeal and 1/4 tsp salt. Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time until just combined. Slowly add 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup half-and-half, whisking until smooth. Fold in melted chocolate.
- Step 5: Pour filling into chilled pie crust. Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until filling is set but slightly jiggly in center and crust is golden. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Chocolate Chess Pie with Buttery Crust take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (45 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Chocolate Chess Pie with Buttery Crust?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Chocolate Chess Pie with Buttery Crust?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Chocolate Chess Pie with Buttery Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Chocolate Chess Pie with Buttery Crust?
Southern desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
