Today is Easter Sunday. I typically don’t post a new dinner entree or main course dish on holidays, as families tend to have traditional items they like to serve. But, I have been known to post desserts… and that’s what I decided to do here.
“Chess pie” is a classic dessert in the Southern U.S., and is typically made up of ingredients that are pantry or refrigerator staples such as eggs, milk, sugar, butter, and sometimes small amounts of flour or cornstarch. Flavors vary, with buttermilk, lemon, lime, and chocolate being the most common. No one is quite sure where the name “chess” came from; speculation points to several possibilities, my favorite of which is referring to the “pie chests” where cooked pies would be stored after they came out of the oven.
Adapted from My Kitchen Serenity
Chocolate Chess Pie
Description
A traditional Southern U.S. dessert, very rich in flavor, made mostly with pantry and refrigerator staples.
Adapted from My Kitchen Serenity
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Using a fork, prick the pie shell all over the bottom and sides, making sure to go through the dough completely to the pan. Place the pie shell in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove and allow to cool, but do not turn the oven off.
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In a medium bowl combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and butter and whisk until blended thoroughly. Add sugar, cocoa powder, and salt, and mix 2-3 minutes or until smooth (note: batter will not be thick).
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Pour the batter into the pie shell. Set the pie shell on a baking sheet for support and place into the oven. Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the center is set and not jiggling when moved. Remove and allow to cool completely before serving (could take up to 2 hours or more).
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 slice
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 307kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13.9g22%
- Saturated Fat 5.9g30%
- Cholesterol 67mg23%
- Sodium 201mg9%
- Potassium 147mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 44.3g15%
- Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
- Sugars 36.1g
- Protein 4g8%
- Calcium 65 mg
- Iron 1 mg
- Vitamin D 320 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Notes
- To speed up cooling, place the pie in the refrigerator
- Some variations of this recipe add a small amount of cornstarch or flour (2-3 tablespoons) to the batter
- Serving suggestions:
- Top with whipped cream
- Sprinkle powdered sugar on top (wait until completely cooled or the powdered sugar will melt and become gummy)
