What Is Chess Pie? Google Searches in Minnesota Are Off the Charts

Minnesota is famous for its comfort food classics like Juicy Lucys and Tater Tot Hotdish, but there’s one dessert that’s suddenly trending here. It’s called Chess Pie, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you’re not alone.

I'd never heard of Chess Pie, but I noticed Google searches for it in Minnesota shot up by 1,150% in the last 30 days. It's definitely not a traditional Minnesota food, but it looks like it could catch on here.

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Why Are Minnesotans Searching for Chess Pie?

If you spend any time at all on social media, you've probably seen a video of someone cooking in their kitchen. I'm a sucker for these because I'm always searching for new foods to try.

Bakers have been sharing their recipes for Chess Pie on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit, which has led to a surge in searches.

What Is Chess Pie?

According to Wikipedia, this sweet treat comes from the South and remains the most searched recipe for Thanksgiving in that region. Many think "cheese-cake pie" evolved into "chess pie".

Southern Living says chess pies pair "a traditional butter pie crust with a sweet, custardy filling made with sugar, butter, and eggs. Flour and cornmeal thicken the filling, and vanilla enhances the creamy custard."

The cornmeal is crucial to getting the unique texture that makes this pie unique. A spoonful of white vinegar is also often cited as a secret ingredient to balance the sweetness.

It's very easy to customize Chess Pie. You can add 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice to give it some tang or add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder to make a Chocolate Chess pie.

Watch the 90-second video below to learn how to make it.