December 20, 2015
Lemon Chess Pie – Best of Show
State Fair of Texas
Lemon Chess Pie
Crust:
1 1/4 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening, chilled
3 tablespoons ice water, divided
Filling:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (salted) butter melted
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
Pie Crust: Whisk the flour and salt together in medium size bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water. Toss mixture with fork to moisten, adding more water a few drops at a time until dough comes together. Gently gather dough particles together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. Roll out dough and place in pie plate, crimping edges as desired.
Filling: Whisk together sugar, flour, cornmeal and salt. Add butter, lemon zest, juice and eggs. Whisk until smooth. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees F 40-45 minutes or until center is set. Makes 8 servings.
-Recipe from Lisa, 2015 State Fair of Texas, Best-of-Show Chess Pie, Gold Medal Flour Best Baker Award