Rustic Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie
A classic Southern dessert featuring a flaky pie crust filled with a rich, custardy buttermilk and sugar filling that bakes to a golden finish. This southern-inspired desserts ready in about 105 minutes layers all-purpose flour, ice water, granulated sugar 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 400 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), cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp ice water
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornmeal
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter until mixture forms pea-sized crumbs. Gradually add 3 tbsp ice water until dough just comes together. Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Roll chilled dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Transfer and trim edges, then flute as desired. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 2 tbsp cornmeal, and 3 large eggs until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Pour filling into the prepared crust. Drizzle 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter evenly over the top.
- Step 5: Bake for 50-60 minutes until the filling is set and golden around edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Step 6: Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to allow the custard to firm up.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic 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 Rustic 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 Rustic 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 Rustic 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 Rustic Southern Buttermilk Chess Pie?
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.
