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This Kentucky derby pie is rich, gooey, and packed with chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts, all wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. With just a handful of pantry staples and about 10 minutes of prep, this Southern classic delivers bakery-level results right at home.
For more Southern favorites, try my classic Peach Pie or this decadent Texas Trash Pie!
Why you’ll love this Kentucky Derby pie recipe!
If you’ve never had Kentucky derby pie, think of it as a chocolatey twist on pecan pie—but even more irresistible. Instead of pecans, this version uses walnuts for a slightly softer crunch, and chocolate chips add richness in every bite.
The splash of bourbon enhances the flavor without overpowering the pie. As it bakes, the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a subtle warmth that ties everything together beautifully.
- Quick and Easy to Make: This truly is one of the best derby pie recipe options when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. Just mix, pour, and bake.
- Rich, Decadent Flavor: The combination of melty chocolate, toasted walnuts, and a hint of bourbon creates a dessert that’s deep, warm, and completely indulgent without being overwhelming.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Whether you’re hosting a Derby Day party, holiday dinner, or casual get-together, this pie always gets rave reviews.
- That Gooey Cookie-Like Texture: The filling bakes into something magical—somewhere between a fudgy brownie, a chocolate chip cookie, and a classic pie.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions:
- Flour – Helps give structure to the filling.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Sugar & dark brown sugar – Provide sweetness and a deep molasses flavor.
- Eggs – Bind the filling together.
- Melted butter – Adds richness and creates that signature gooey texture.
- Bourbon – Adds depth and warmth to the flavor.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the sweetness and chocolate notes.
- Chocolate chips – The star ingredient for that rich, melty bite.
- Chopped walnuts – Add texture and a nutty flavor.
- Unbaked pie crust – You can use a store-bought pie crust, or you can bake your own homemade pie crust.
Variations
- Skip the bourbon. If you would like to skip the bourbon in the recipe, simply replace it with more vanilla extract.
- Use chopped pecans in place of walnuts. This will give the classic derby pie a new, tasty twist.
- Add toppings. Serve the pie while warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some homemade whipped cream.
How to Make the Best Derby Pie Recipe
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add the wet ingredients: Stir in the eggs, melted butter, bourbon, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Fold in the mix-ins: Add the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Assemble the pie and bake: Pour the filling into an unbaked 9-inch pie crust. Bake until the edges are golden and the center is set but still slightly soft, about 45–50 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Derby pie is delicious on its own, but you can make your pie experience even more spectacular by pairing it with:
- Homemade whipped cream
- Banana pudding ice cream.
- A Warm cup of whipped coffee
- Simple bowl of berries on the side
Storage + Reheating
- To Store: Cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap the cooled pie securely in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To Reheat: For a whole pie, warm it in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 15 minutes. For individual slices, microwave for 15-30 seconds until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s made with chocolate chips, walnuts, butter, sugar, eggs, and a hint of bourbon baked in a pie crust.
No—most of the alcohol cooks off during baking, leaving only flavor behind.
Yes! It stores well and can be made a day in advance.
It may need more baking time or additional cooling time to fully set.
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Kentucky Derby Pie
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- whisk
- measuring spoons
- Mesuring Cups
- 9" Pie Dish
Ingredients
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons Bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 unbaked 9” pie crust
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix The Dries: In a large bowl, stir the flour, salt, sugar and brown sugar together.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Stir in the eggs and melted butter, bourbon and vanilla extract.
- Add the Chocolate: Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts. The batter will look like a wet cookie dough.
- Bake: Place the unbaked pie crust on a baking tray then pour the filling mixture into the pie crust. Place the tray and pie into the oven to bake for 40 minutes. The pie will be golden brown around the edges and the center will no longer look wet. The pie will look like a baked cookie.
- Cool: Let the pie cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature before slicing and serving.
I love the ease and flavor of this pie!