Coach Beard’s Checkmate Chess Pie
Coach Beard is more than just Ted’s loyal right-hand man; he’s also a master chess player. This classic southern dessert is a tribute to Coach Beard’s brainy hobby. Enjoy it paired with a tall glass of sweet tea and a friendly game of chess. Checkmate!
SERVES 6 TO 8
- 1 sheet premade 9-inch piecrust, or frozen 9-inch pie shell, thawed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 eggs, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons cornmeal
- Whipped cream, powdered sugar, or ice cream, for topping
Equipment
- 9-inch pie plate
- Set an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 325ºF. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the piecrust and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, brown the butter over medium-high heat until it turns slightly dark and smells nutty, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream, vanilla, eggs, and cornmeal. Whisk in the cooled butter until combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pie plate. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the filling is set. Allow to cool and then serve with any of the suggested toppings. Store for up to 24 hours at room temperature or covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.