This Kentucky Derby Pie is a Southern tradition! It tastes just like a chocolate chip cookie with pecans in pie form! Whether you’re watching the Kentucky Derby or just want a delicious and easy to make dessert recipe, this pie is for you!
We had rain on and off all day Saturday so what’s a girl to do stuck inside with three little boys and a hungry husband? Bake of course! Continuing with my Kentucky Derby theme, (I shared my mint julep recipe last week,) today I have an amazing recipe for Kentucky Derby Pie.
What is Kentucky Derby Pie?
If you haven’t heard of this delicious concoction, today is your lucky day. This easy pie recipe is unbelievably simple to make and yields a delicious pie filled with pecans and chocolate (and for a super authentic pie, a little Kentucky bourbon as well!)
It’s one of my favorite pie recipes! I’ve heard it called Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie also because the filling turns out a similar texture and flavor as a cookie. I dare you to take just one bite! (This pie would be perfect for a Kentucky Derby party too!)
Where did it originate?
The Kentucky Derby is America’s most famous horse race. It takes place every year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. The Run for the Roses race is the longest-running sporting event in the United States, dating all the way back to 1875.
This Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie originated at the Melrose Inn in the 1950s and has been a Derby classic ever since.
Do you have to use bourbon in Derby pie?
While the traditional recipe does include a scant amount of bourbon, you can choose to omit it if you like. The end result will not have any major taste difference either way. I usually make mine without and save the bourbon for my mint julep!
Step by Step Instructions
Unlike my Pecan Pie or Chocolate Pecan Pie, this pie does not require corn syrup AND it can be prepped in just 15 minutes! Simply mix the butter, sugars, then egg and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl just like a traditional cookie recipe. You can also add the optional bourbon at this step too.
After the remaining dry ingredients, you’ll fold in the chocolate chips and pecans then pour into a pie shell. Bake one hour then let it sit 15 minutes before serving. It’s amazing on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Can you freeze this pie?
While it is possible to freeze this pie I cannot recommend it. The pie will change in texture and part of what makes it so amazing is that cookie-like texture. The crust also tends to get soggy. Save this pie for when you can make it fresh!
If you like this recipe you might also want to try these other delicious pies:
Or for more Derby inspired fun, check out my classic Mint Julep recipe!
If you try this recipe I would love it if you could comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
Print
Kentucky Derby Pie
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Kentucky Derby Pie is a classic dessert recipe that tastes like a Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie! An easy dessert recipe perfect for entertaining!
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter, melted
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon (optional)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
- 1 cup pecan halves, plus additional for garnish if desired
- 1 frozen deep dish unbaked pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pie shell on a baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl combine sugars and melted butter.
- Add eggs and vanilla (and bourbon if using) and stir until uniform.
- Stir in flour and salt.
- Fold in 1 cup of pecans and chocolate chips.
- Pour into pie shell. Add additional pecans for decoration if desired.
- Bake one hour or until middle is just set. Allow to cool on a rack 15 minutes before slicing.
Keywords: kentucky, derby, pie, pecan
This recipe was originally shared April 2018 and updated with additional information August 2020.
Melissa says
Delicious!
★★★★★
Szuanne McElligott says
Hi Melissa: I just got to see your strawberry muffins recipe . What a nice idea by putting plain yogurt I have on
a regular basis as a snack in the evening. Also your Kentucky Mud Pie also delicious have a nice day. To go an
idea of the weather in Montreal we have freezing rain so all the school in the province are closed. I get a brake
I don t have to take the husky out to early for her walk as they have not salted our street and sidewalk. Have a nice
day . Suzanne
Melissa says
I hope it warms up for you soon Suzanne! We’re quite warm down here in Georgia, it was up to 87 degrees yesterday, a little too warm! ~Melissa