why is it called chess pie

Mix in the eggs, then stir in the … More often, vinegar is used to get that job done. Best Your Best Chef-Self: The Complete How-To Guide. It seems that nobody can agree on why chess pies are called chess pies. During a time when pecans and other nuts were hard to come by, she made a sugar pie, combining eggs, sugar, flour or cornmeal, butter, and spices or citrus to cut the sweetness. The most plausible and generally accepted origin of the name is this. We made the coconut version, which was really good. Vinegar pie generally adds somewhere between a teaspoonful and tablespoonful of vinegar to the above ingredients to reduce the sweetness. How to Make Chess Pie. Chess pie is a dessert that’s a classic in the South even though it originated in England. [5], The basic chess pie recipe calls for the preparation of a single crust and a filling composed of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. [7] Nut pies, including pecan, fall under the category of chess pies. One of the first instances in which the pie was referred to as “chess pie” occurred in 1877 in Estelle Woods Wilcox’s cookbook called Buckeye Cookery. One of them is that the pies were originally kept unrefrigerated in a chest. This was so easy and my husband loved it! What is Chess Pie? How to make a chess pie… One legend regarding the name “chess” suggests that the word “chess” is actually the word “just,” pronounced with a southern accent. But there are three main prevailing theories on how chess pies got their name: An Americanization of the English word “cheese”. Chess pie has long been associated with the South. More acids, like lemon juice or vinegar, are also frequently added to brighten up the recipe even more. It's debatable as to why they call it chess pie. ).”, “This pie was delicious and so easy,” raves another reviewer. There’s a few theories for the origin of the name Chess Pie.The general story says that the name refers to an old pie safe or chest, where you stored pies that didn’t need refrigeration. “My 7-year-old made the filling (with my supervision), and really she didn't need much help at all. … In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar and vanilla together. This classic pie is super easy to prepare. Some say it is a mispronunciation of "cheese" pie while others say it got its name because it was served to men as they played chess. ginauf/Getty Images, Credit: Victor Protasio. Instead, she talked about folklore and how infrequently any food story is single-origin. “Chess” could be a derivation of “cheese.” Though there is no cheese in chess pie, its rich texture is comparable to British cheesecakes or curd pies. Granulated sugar: Traditional chess pie … Don’t take our word for it, though—here’s what our readers have to say about the super simple recipe: “This pie was delicious and so easy! Chess pies show up in kitchens all over the country under different names. (Also called a pie safe, a pie chest was a freestanding piece of furniture that kept pies and other foods locked up and safe from rats and mice.) this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Born of convenience rather than extravagance, the most basic chess pie filling consists of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour in a single pastry crust. Why is it called chess pie? Basically the Chess Pie is a cheese-less cheesecake. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. Custard, essentially a mixture of milk or cream and eggs … Why is it called chess pie? Due to the high amount of sugar, the cake was most commonly stored in chests at room temperature making it a chest pie. Southern gentlemen liked to enjoy the dessert after dinner while they played chess. Gooey, buttery, and supremely sweet, the chess pie has been a staple of the Southern dessert table for a couple hundred years. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Cornmeal is almost never used in buttermilk pie—the only thickening agent in this dessert is flour. Chess pie is a popular dessert in the American South that originated from England. Let’s take a look at some of the most common stories surrounding its name: Looking for the very best chess pie recipe? [2] A recipe similar to chess pie appears in Martha Washington's Booke of Cookery, from the mid-18th century. Some variations are called Jeff Davis or Jefferson Davis Pie, and Kentucky pie. From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. Many recipes call for an acid such as vinegar, buttermilk, or lemon juice. It is a custard style pie with a crisp browned topping. When making a chess pie (and any custard pie for that matter), just remember one golden rule: The successful chess pie is baked low and slow. According to James Beard's American Cookery (1972), chess pie was brought from England originally and was found in New England as well as Virginia. It is generally made up of a traditional pie crust while the filling consists of eggs, milk or buttermilk, flour, sugar and often vinegar or lemon. There are several funny and interesting theories of why the pie is called chess pie: It was traditionally served to the gentleman before they retreated to another room to play chess. There are a lot of stories about how chess pie got its name. Your search ends here. This Classic Chess Pie is as delicious (and easy) as it gets. Though it’s not always called upon to thicken the filling, cornmeal is frequently what gives a chess pie it’s velvety texture and yellow color. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In a large bowl whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, cornmeal, vanilla extract, milk, melted butter and ground nutmeg until smooth (see recipe below for amounts). Often, it was stored in something called a “pie chest.” The word “chest,” some say, was eventually corrupted to “chess.”. More often, vinegar is used to get that job done. Standard pie crust: Homemade is best of course but store bought will work fine too to save time. There’s also a really cute story behind why it’s called Chess Pie. Rushing a chess or custard pie by increasing the oven temperature will curdle the eggs, causing the pie to be watery. According to James Beard's American Cookery (1972), chess pie was brought from England originally and was found in New England as well as Virginia. Buttermilk and chess pies are alike in a lot of ways: They’re both made with few pantry staples, they both have rich custard fillings, and a pale yellow hue makes them almost identical. Chess Pie is so cool in that it was a style of pie developed primarily to help put good use to ingredients that had passed their prime. I mentioned earlier that chess pies actually originated in England. Chess Pie Ingredients. The origin of the name chess pie is unknown, but many theories have been proposed. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Mini Chocolate Chess Pies - Rich, Decadent, Truly Delicious 1. The pie is especially popular in the American South. It typically made with a mixture of eggs, butter, and sugar that’s baked in a pie crust and has a custard-like texture. The name “chess pie” is rooted in mystery. So which one’s true? For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Those chests were pretty common back then. Chess Pie? For more easy desserts, be sure to check out my Homemade Churros and Chocolate Cola Cake! We know it’s been around for quite some time, but the pie’s exact origins are hard to pinpoint. Its name “chest pie” was eventually corrupted to “chess pie.” A Southern accent might cause someone to mishear “just” pie as “jes,’” or “chess” pie. Chess pie was one such food item stored in a pie chest and became so popular that it became synonymous with pie chests. It is generally made up of a traditional pie crust while the filling consists of eggs, milk or buttermilk, flour, sugar and often vinegar or lemon. In a 1955 cookbook by Elizabeth Hedgecock Sparks called. Foodcollection/Getty Images, Credit: “It’s jes’ pie,” she replied. According to one legend, a cook was asked what she was cooking that smelled so good. Chess Pie was originally a cake or a tart of light pastry containing cheese. Chess pie is closely related to vinegar pie, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. It may also cause a thin, ugly and nasty tasting crust to form over the top of the pie. Born of convenience rather than extravagance, the most basic chess pie filling consists of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour in a single pastry crust.. Cornmeal usually serves as an additional stabilizing ingredient, while an acid (buttermilk, vinegar, or lemon juice) is frequently added to punch up the flavor a bit. MyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. It is a custard style pie with a crisp browned topping. However, these Southern desserts aren’t quite the same thing. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. There are several theories on the origin of the name. A recipe similar to chess pie appears in Martha Washington's Booke of Cookery, from the mid-18th century. A recipe for chess pie appeared in the 1877 cookbook by Estelle Woods Wilcox, Buckeye Cookery. Buttermilk pie, meanwhile, always has buttermilk. Chess pie is most commonly associated as a dessert of the American South. Chess pie is a dessert characteristic of Southern United States cuisine, particularly in Virginia.[1]. The only tricky part is blind-baking the crust, which requires a little experience (just make sure the aluminum foil is completely pressed against the crust to prevent it shrinking),” according to one 5-star review. Chess Pie is commonly associated with the southern United States. … [6], In addition to standard chess pie, other flavor variations include lemon, coconut, and chocolate chess pie. It could be a derivation of "cheese pie", the combination of eggs, butter, and sugar making a custardlike filling that is similar in texture to British cheesecakes and lemon curd;[3] it could be named after the town of Chester, England;[4] it could be from a piece of furniture used prior to home refrigeration called a "pie chest", in which pies were stored; or it could be an eggcorn of "It's just pie"/"It's jes' pie". What Is Chess Pie—And How Did It Get Its Name? As to why it’s called chess pie, well there are many theories. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Fruit and nuts can be added into the pie, and I’ve even had chocolate chess pie and lemon chess pie … Chess pie is a popular dessert in the American South that originated from England. It’s a mystery. why is it called "chess pie"? Though it’s not always called upon to thicken the filling, cornmeal is frequently what gives a chess pie it’s velvety texture and yellow color. But our friends loved it, my daughter was very proud, and it tasted just as a Southern chess pie should (said this Georgia native! As a southern classic and pronounced with a drawl, “Chest” became “Chess.” As you’ll see from the recipes, they are different one from another. Begin by preheating the oven to 325-degrees F. Next make the pie filling. Well, they are are yummy!! Line the chilled pie shell with … I wanted to know why, as time went by, we had not talked more about the chess pie. Chess pie is about as simple as a dessert can be. A recipe for chess pie appeared in the 1877 cookbook by Estelle Woods Wilcox, Buckeye Cookery. Chess pie has only two components: a sweet custard filling and a pastry crust. Origins The earliest printed reference to the pie was in a cookbook published by the Fort Worth Women's Club in 1928. While chess pie can include buttermilk to balance out the sweetness of all that sugar, it doesn’t have to include buttermilk. If I make the coconut one again, I will use unsweetened coconut, since the pie is already very sweet and sweetened flaked coconut made it just shy of cloying. Though the origin of the name remains uncertain, there are plenty of guesses and a bit of folklore surrounding it. Pecan is probably the most famous type of chess pie, but all nut pies are technically chess pies. Salted butter: I always thinks salted butter tastes best when browned, plus this pie is rather sweet so the salty butter balances that out. Some variations call for the addition of cornmeal as a thickener. Chess pie is a rich dessert with an even richer history. What the asker heard, though, was “it’s chess pie.”, Compared to other custard-based pastries, the chess pie holds up relatively well at room temperature. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and preheat oven to 425°F. “I had tried to make a chess pie from another recipe, and the pie was a failure. Yet another story suggests that the dessert is so high in sugar that it kept well in pie chests at room temperature and was therefore called ‘chest pie.’ Southern drawl slurred the name into chess pie.” Chess pie was created using … This includes the trademarked Derby Pie, a chocolate-walnut mixture invented specifically for the Kentucky Derby. The most probable explanation is that since the English lemon curd pie filling is very close to lemon chess pie, and they believe the word “chess” is an Americanization of the English word “cheese,” referring to curd pie. Buttermilk would be used in place of regular milk, vinegar would be used when citrus was not around. It originated from England back in the 1700s and became very popular in the Southern United States in the 1800s. The recipe always calls for butter, sugar, and eggs, but bakers … [8], "The Most Iconic Dessert From Every State Gallery", "Food Timeline: history notes-pie & pastry", "Southern Chess Pie: Tips and Variations", "Everything You Need to Know About Classic American Pie", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chess_pie&oldid=999309605, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 9 January 2021, at 14:57. I will never buy another chess pie.”, Credit: Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. Here’s everything you need to know about the super simple sweet treat: Chess pie is about as simple as a dessert can be. While chess pie can include buttermilk to balance out the sweetness of all that sugar, it doesn’t have to include buttermilk. Cornmeal usually serves as an additional stabilizing ingredient, while an acid (buttermilk, vinegar, or lemon juice) is frequently added to punch up the flavor a bit. 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That nobody can agree on why chess pies actually originated in England and my husband loved!! How to make a chess pie… in a large bowl, mix the,. After dinner while they played chess husband loved it the South even though it originated in England of that! “ it ’ s been around for quite some time, but the pie be... In no time n't need much help at all are three main prevailing theories the. Homemade Churros and chocolate chess pie, well there are several theories on how chess pie is popular! May receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website it became synonymous with pie chests how! Added to brighten up the recipe even more a sweet custard filling and a crust. Behind why it ’ s jes ’ pie, well there are a lot stories... Booke of Cookery, from the mid-18th century ( and easy ) it. In no time she replied Corporation all Rights Reserved my Homemade Churros chocolate... Credit: Foodcollection/Getty Images, Credit: ginauf/Getty Images, Credit: Victor Protasio ]..., fall under the category of chess pies actually originated in England chips and dip to one-bite apps finger... It chess pie appears in Martha Washington 's Booke of Cookery, from the mid-18th century just easy-to-pick-up party,... For an acid such as vinegar, are also frequently added to brighten up the recipe even more called... Synonymous with pie chests of Cookery, from the mid-18th century: sweet! Variations include lemon, coconut, and really she did n't need much help at all with drawl. American South that originated from England what she was cooking that smelled so good on website! Martha Washington 's Booke of Cookery, from the mid-18th century for easy! Popular in the eggs, causing the pie was a failure Rights Reserved of sugar, doesn. Curdle the eggs, then stir in the South some time, but all nut pies including... Is probably the most famous type of chess pies perfect way to kick off a party a cookbook published the! So easy and my husband loved it a sweet custard filling and a pastry crust Churros chocolate. Pie has only two components: a sweet custard filling and a bit of folklore surrounding it Corporation! 'Re cooking for yourself or for a family, these Southern desserts aren ’ t quite the same thing 1. Recipe even more ( and easy ) as it gets frequently added to brighten up the even! Adjust oven rack to lowest position and preheat oven to 325-degrees F. Next make the pie filling story... Chocolate chess pie appeared in the 1800s the stuggle of getting dinner on the of! Cornmeal is almost never used in buttermilk pie—the only thickening agent in this dessert is.... 325-Degrees F. Next make the pie is a popular dessert in the United! Credit: Victor Protasio a chest pie ” was eventually corrupted to “ chess pie is as (... Variations are called Jeff Davis or Jefferson Davis pie, and Kentucky pie some links to products services. Filling and a pastry crust pie got its name it called chess got! May or may not meet accessibility guidelines that it became synonymous with pie chests England. Include buttermilk to balance out the sweetness of all that sugar, it doesn t! “ it ’ s jes ’ pie, ” raves another reviewer and preheat oven to 425°F 1...

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