Kentucky Derby Pie is made with real chocolate chips, crunchy walnuts, and a splash of bourbon in a buttery, flakey pie crust that comes together in just 10 minutes!
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Pin RecipeThe BEST Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
But what exactly are Derby pies? Imagine the best pecan pie you have ever tried, then think of it with rich chocolate chips, walnuts instead of pecans, and a splash of bourbon to add a burst of flavor to every bite. That is exactly what this Kentucky pie tastes like! It almost reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie baked into a butter pie crust.
I have been making this pie for years, and I have to admit that I love the bourbon chocolate walnut mix. While the recipe only takes about ten minutes to put together, the pie itself is decadent enough to have come from a high-end bakery, or straight out of the original Kern’s Kitchen! Make derby pie for the holidays or to enjoy while you watch the Kentucky Derby party!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple to Make: With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps, this Southern Derby pie recipe is beginner-friendly yet impressive enough to wow guests.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether for a holiday gathering, a Derby day party, or a casual dinner, the gooey chocolate filling and flaky pie crust are sure to win over kids and adults alike.
- Rich, Decadent Flavor: The combination of chocolate and bourbon creates a luscious, indulgent dessert with just the right balance of sweetness and warmth. The combination of the rich chocolate and toasted, crunchy walnuts is just unbelievable.
Recipe Ingredients
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions:
- Flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Dark Brown Sugar – I like dark brown sugar for the rich molasses taste but light brown sugar will work in this recipe as well.
- Eggs
- Melted Butter – I like to use unsalted butter.
- Bourbon – Any type of bourbon will work in this recipe. The alcohol in the bourbon will burn off as the pie cooks so you don’t have to worry about the pie containing alcohol. The bourbon is simply added for flavor.
- Vanilla Extract
- Chocolate Chips – I like to use semisweet chocolate chips but any kind of premium chocolate chip will work for the chocolate walnut pie.
- Chopped Walnuts
- 9″ Unbaked Pie Crust – You can use a store-bought pie crust, or you can bake your own homemade pie crust.
Directions for How to Make Derby Pie
Step 1. Gather your ingredients and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
Step 3. Stir in the eggs, melted butter, bourbon, and vanilla and whisk well.
Step 4. Add the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts to the mix and stir.
Step 5. Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
Step 6. Bake the pie in the preheated oven until golden brown around the edges. The pie will look like a soft, baked cookie. Let the derby pie cool for about 30 minutes, then slice and serve.
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.
Tips for Success
- Cover the edges of your pie crust with foil or a pie shield during baking to prevent it from turning too dark while the filling sets.
- Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to give the filling time to set. Cutting the pie while it is hot will result in a gooey mess!
- Buy walnuts that are already pre-chopped to save yourself a little time. Chopped walnuts are also often less expensive than whole nuts so you will save some money as well!
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.
Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
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.
Video
Notes
- Replace the bourbon with vanilla extract if you would like to omit the alcohol.
- Top the pie with whipped cream or serve with vanilla ice cream
- Replace the walnuts with chopped pecans
Share With Us!
I hope you enjoy this delicious Derby Pie ! If you give it a try, please share your experience in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag me on social media @allthingsmamma and use the hashtag #allthingsmamma.
