Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie
A classic Southern buttermilk chess pie with a golden, custardy filling and flaky homemade crust, perfect for a comforting dessert. This southern american-inspired desserts ready in about 105 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cold, cubed unsalted butter, ice water 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 320 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
- 6 tbsp, cold, cubed unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp ice water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornmeal
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 3 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: To prepare the crust, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and 6 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 3 tbsp ice water, mixing until dough forms a ball. Flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 2 tbsp cornmeal. Add 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup buttermilk, 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Step 4: Pour the filling into the prepared crust and bake for 50-60 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (45 min prep + 60 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 Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie?
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 Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie?
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 Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie 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 Old-Fashioned Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie?
Southern American 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.
