Buttermilk pie is a traditional custard-like pie of the southern United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. The basic filling consists of a mixture of eggs, sugar, buttermilk

Buttermilk

Buttermilk refers to a number of dairy drinks. Originally, buttermilk was the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cream. It also refers to a range of fermented milk drinks, common in warm climates where unrefrigerated fresh milk otherwise sours quickly...

, dry biscuit mix, and butter; variations on the recipe may include flavorings such as lemon zest

Zest (ingredient)

Zest is a food ingredient that is prepared by scraping or cutting from the outer, colorful skin of citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, citron, and lime. Zest is used to add flavor to foods....

. Buttermilk pies may be made with or without a pastry

Pastry

Pastry is the name given to various kinds of baked products made from ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, butter, shortening, baking powder and/or eggs. Small cakes, tarts and other sweet baked products are called "pastries."...

 crust. The liquid filling is poured into a pie pan (into a crust if one is used) and baked until the mixture sets. It is related to chess pie

Chess pie

Chess pie is a particularly sugary dessert characteristic of Southern U.S. cuisine. According to James Beard's American Cookery chess pie was brought from England originally, and was found in New England as well as Virginia...

 and pecan pie

Pecan pie

Pecan pie is a sweet pie made primarily of corn syrup and pecan nuts. It is popularly served at holiday meals and is also considered a specialty of Southern U.S. cuisine. Most pecan pie recipes include salt and vanilla as flavorings. Chocolate and bourbon whiskey are other popular additions to the...

. The pie may be eaten either while still warm from the oven or after being chilled.