Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets
With these adorable Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets, you can enjoy Southern classic chess pie in bite-sized form. Perfect for an Easter, Mother's Day, or Christmas dessert buffet, a party food tray, or even for brunch! Not to mention, a certain little 5-year-old thinks they go absolutely perfectly with a spot of tea.
I just adore little-bite desserts. Especially when they're as adorable {and tasty} as these little Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets. Why do I love little-bites so much, you ask? Because good things come in small packages! Or, in the case of these chocolate tartlets, great things come in small packages.
I also love the versatility of little-bite treats ...
This particular batch of Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets just so happened to be enjoyed at a tea party. As some frequent readers of may know, my husband and I welcomed a 5-year-old little girl into our family a few weeks ago {yay!}. We're loving being parents, and loving all the fun that comes along with an active, imaginative, silly little girl! As most little girls do, our Little Miss H. loves to play tea party ... serving us a spot of imaginary tea most nights after dinner while we wind down watching some TV.
Well, I decided to take those imaginary tea parties to the next level, and last week hosted a little real tea party for Miss H. It was small ... just us, my Mom, and a friend of Miss H.'s and her Mom. But the thrill it gave Little Miss H. was absolutely precious!
And the Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets were a wonderful chocolaty treat that went beautifully with our spot of tea. They're Little Miss H. tea-party-approved!
1. Why is it called 'Chess Pie?' ... and ...
2. Why does the filling include cornmeal?
Because any 'good' Southerner will tell you that Chess Pie must include cornmeal to truly be Chess Pie.
As for the first question, there seems to be no true consensus on where this classic dessert got it's name. Theories range from the name stemming from misunderstanding of the Southern accent ... to the pie frequently being enjoyed while gentlemen gathered to play chess {see Southern Living's fun explanation}.
On the second question, it appears that cornmeal is used to help thicken the pie's filling, while also perhaps lending a hand in creating a bit of crispness in how the filling bakes up on the top. Makes sense, I suppose.
Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets can be enjoyed plain, with a tiny dollop of whipped cream, or ... as I like to serve them ... with a small piping of Almond Cream Cheese Topping. The Almond Topping compliments the chocolate filling really nicely.
Whether you enjoy them topped or plain ... for a party, brunch, or other occasion ... or no matter how you think chess pie got it's name ... two things are for sure Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets are certainly proof that great things come in small packages. And silly little 5-year-olds think they go just fabulously with a spot of tea.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 3 T. unsweetened cocoa
- 1 1/2 T. cornmeal
- 1 T. all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. white vinegar
- 1/2 c. butter, melted
- pinch salt
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 5 packages frozen mini phyllo shells {total of 60 shells}
- whipped cream OR almond cream cheese topping {recipe below} for garnish, optional
- Stir together sugar, cocoa, cornmeal, flour, vinegar, melted butter, and salt until well combined. Add eggs, stirring well.
- Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon of chocolate mixture into each mini phyllo shell and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until just set. Cool completely. Store tartlets in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- {Optional} When ready to serve, top with a small dot of whipped cream or pipe tops with a bit of almond cream cheese topping {see recipe below}.
Almond Cream Cheese Topping
Ingredients- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 T. confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- 1/3 c. Cool Whip
- Place cream cheese in a small mixing bowl; cream with a fork. Add confectioners' sugar and almond extract; mix until well combined and smooth. Fold in Cool Whip.
- Pipe onto Chocolate Chess Pie Tartlets.
Enjoy!
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