This easy derby pie brings the spirit of Kentucky straight to your kitchen with its rich chocolate, toasted pecans, and warm bourbon notes. The buttery, flaky crust cradles a gooey filling that feels like a combination of chocolate chip cookies and pecan pie.
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This easy Derby Pie is a versatile and delightful dessert that can be served on various occasions. It is a fantastic addition to family gatherings, whether it’s a holiday celebration, a Sunday brunch, or a casual get-together. Its crowd-pleasing flavors make it a hit with guests of all ages.
Heading to a potluck? Bring a Kentucky derby pie, and you’ll be the star of the show! It’s easy to transport, and you can bet it will disappear from the dessert table in no time. Want to make a special day even more memorable? Serve up a homemade Derby Pie to celebrate a loved one’s birthday or anniversary.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Derby Pie Recipe
- Minimal Equipment: No mixer required; simply whisk ingredients together. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to bake without hauling out or cleaning bulky equipment.
- Unique Flavor: Combines semisweet chocolate chips and walnuts for a nutty, chocolatey taste. The balance of flavors creates a rich, indulgent dessert that’s perfect for those who love a bit of crunch and sweetness in every bite.
- Quick Preparation: Ready for the oven in just 10 minutes. Even with a busy schedule, you can whip up this pie in no time, making it ideal for last-minute get-togethers or when you’re craving a homemade treat.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for gatherings, offering a delightful twist on traditional pies. Its unique combination of flavors makes it a standout dish that friends and family will rave about, ensuring it becomes a favorite at any event.
🥧 My family practically tackle me when I surprise them with my homemade sugar cream pie – it’s become a family favorite!
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter
- Sugar
- Flour
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Chocolate chips
- Walnuts or pecans
- Pie crust — store bought or try a homemade crust!
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Kentucky Derby Pie
- Gather all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then add the granulated sugar and all-purpose flour to the melted butter. Whisk until smooth.
- Break two large eggs into the bowl and add vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- Gently stir in the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
- Pour the mixture into an unbaked 9-inch pie crust, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the middle is set and the top is golden brown.
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Derby Pie and Pecan Pie are two different desserts. While they share some similarities, such as the flaky crust and nutty filling, the main difference is the addition of chocolate chips in Derby Pie. Pecan Pie typically consists of a filling made from pecans, corn syrup, eggs, sugar, and butter.
A cracked top usually means the pie baked a bit too long or at too high of a temperature. Take it out when the center still has a slight jiggle – it will continue setting as it cools. Think of it like a brownie’s center.
If you notice the pecans or walnuts browning too quickly, loosely tent the pie with foil about halfway through baking. The foil shield lets the filling set properly while protecting those nuts from burning.
Expert Tips
- Toast First: Give the pecans or walnuts 8 minutes in a dry skillet over medium heat before chopping – this extra step deepens their natural oils and creates an almost maple-like note in the finished pie.
- Room Temp Matters: Pull your eggs and butter out of the refrigerator before baking. Room temperature ingredients create a silkier filling that bakes more evenly and rises properly.
- Crust Shield: Make a 2-inch pie crust shield from foil before you start baking. You’ll want it ready around minute 25 when the edges typically start browning too fast. Or just tent with a piece of foil if needed to prevent over-browning.
- Chocolate Choices: I like to use dark or bittersweet chocolate in the 60-70% range for this recipe. Milk chocolate makes the pie cloyingly sweet and won’t give you those pockets of intense chocolate contrast throughout each bite.
Serving Suggestions
This pie shines as a standalone dessert but reaches new heights with specific pairings. A scoop of ice cream creates a delightful hot-cold contrast when the pie is served warm. For an after-dinner treat, serve slices with a hot sweet latte or pair with a small glass of aged bourbon to echo the pie’s notes of caramel and vanilla.
Storage Tips
Store this pie at room temperature under a cake dome or wrapped in foil for up to 2 days, though the crust is flakiest on day one. For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 5 days – just let each slice come to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
If you’re planning ahead, you can freeze the whole pie or individual slices for up to 3 months; wrap first in plastic wrap, then foil, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
More Delicious Pie Recipes To Try
If you’re looking for more decadent treats to satisfy your sweet tooth, these family favorites never disappoint!
- A slice of classic Chocolate Chess Pie paired with coffee is pure Southern comfort on a plate.
- These adorable Key Lime Pie in a Jar desserts are perfect for summer picnics and always disappear first at potlucks.
- When regular pecan pie feels too fussy, these irresistible Pecan Pie Bars give you all that gooey goodness in easy-to-grab form.
- Nothing beats the simple pleasure of Fresh Strawberry Pie when berries are at their peak sweetness in late spring.
More Pie Recipes to Consider
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Easy Derby Pie
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.
- Whisk in the sugar and flour until well combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla to the mixture, and continue whisking until smooth.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (or pecans) until evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into the unbaked 9-inch pie shell, spreading it evenly.
- Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the middle is set. You can test the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the pie—if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it, the pie is ready.
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely before serving. This will allow the pie to set properly.
Notes
- While walnuts are traditional in this recipe, you can substitute them with pecans if desired.
- After baking, slide your pie to the back corner of the counter. This slightly cooler spot lets it set gradually over 3 hours, giving you that perfect gooey-but-sliceable texture.
- Let your butter-sugar mixture cool for about 5 minutes before stirring in the chocolate pieces. They should stay suspended throughout the filling rather than sinking.
- Enjoy it warm with vanilla ice cream, at room temperature with whipped cream, or chilled with your morning coffee.
Susan Hayley
What are the amounts of each ingredient?
Melissa Griffiths
They are in the recipe card! Keep scrolling down!