Description
If you’re craving a bright and tangy dessert with a creamy texture and classic Southern charm, Lemon Chess Pie is the one to make. This easy recipe combines pantry staples like sugar, eggs, butter, and cornmeal with fresh lemon juice for a silky-smooth custard pie with a lightly caramelized top and buttery crust. It’s perfect for quick breakfast treats, elegant dinner ideas, or anytime you need an easy recipe to wow your guests. Whether served chilled with berries or just as-is, this pie offers simple baking and unforgettable flavor.
Ingredients
1 9-inch pie crust, pre-baked
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
¼ cup melted butter
1 tablespoon cornmeal
¼ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out pie crust, fit into a 9-inch pie dish, trim and crimp the edges. Line with parchment and fill with pie weights. Blind bake for 15 minutes, remove weights, and bake 5 minutes more. Let cool.
2. In a large bowl, whisk sugar, cornmeal, and salt. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each.
3. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and vinegar. Whisk gently until smooth.
4. Pour filling into cooled pie crust. Tap gently to settle.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.
6. Let pie cool on a rack for 2–3 hours, then chill at least 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
Always use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest, most authentic flavor.
Avoid overbaking—remove the pie while the center still has a slight wobble.
Chill completely before slicing for clean cuts and perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: lemon chess pie, easy pie recipe, Southern dessert, lemon dessert, quick baking ideas