If you’re a Kentuckian (and even if you’re not, but you’re pretty smart anyway) you know Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. The Run for the Roses is celebrated with fancy hats, colorful clothing, mint juleps. But, and of course this is my opinion, I think it would be a shame to trot past Saturday’s festivities without the best pie ever.
Let me make a suggestion: make this recipe from my friend Ann TODAY. Well, maybe you should wait until Saturday so it will be fresh. Anyway, the bottom line is:
MAKE IT!
You will not regret it.
Well, maybe a little.
Anyhooo…
If you’re a Kentuckian, it’s likely you’ve eaten a piece of heaven called Derby Pie. Well, just to be clear–officially, legally–the only people who make Derby Pie work at Kern’s Kitchen in Louisville. They’ve got a trademark on the recipe. So, the rest of us are supposed to call it something else…”Run for the Roses” pie? “Chocolate Chip Pecan” pie? “Kentucky Chocolate Walnut” pie?
Rich, chocolatey, and nutty, a piece of this pie–whatever you call it–can make a sugar addict OD. I’ve definitely been known to “slivver” my way to sickness when this pie shows up. It’s my friend Ann’s indisputable favorite dessert.
Ann’s Derby Pie
Ingredients
1/2 C flour
1 C sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 stick butter or margarine, melted
1 t vanilla
1 C walnuts or pecans
1 C chocolate chips
Unbaked 9″ pie shell
Directions
Mix flour and sugar.
Add eggs.
Add cooled melted butter and stir in vanilla.
Fold nuts and chocolate chips in.
Pour into the pie shell.
Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
Test for doneness by inserting a knife or toothpick. The pie should not be runny and the knife or toothpick should come out clean.
Variations
* Instead of 1 C white sugar, use 1 C brown sugar
* Add 2 T bourbon
* Substitute 1 C white corn syrup for flour and use 4 eggs
NOTE: I always add extra chocolate chips and, if I don’t make my own, I use Pet Ritz deep dish pie shell. If you use 8″ shells, you might have enough filling for two pies.
I like to serve the pie warm with a dollop of real whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
This pie is going to be featured on a special dessert table at Ann’s son’s wedding later this year. What a great idea!
It’s not only wedding-worthy, it’s EAT-DESSERT-FIRST worthy! (In case you missed Eat Dessert First Month, here are some more ideas about how to celebrate it. Just head here. And here!) Plus it’s SO perfect for a Mother’s Day treat. Yes, Mother’s Day IS Sunday.
And if you want to read the history behind Derby Pie, this is a good article.
Before you go, let me know…Is this chocolatey, nutty, super rich pie a winner in your household?
maures dodson
Tracey, you are after my heart.
Tracey D. Buchanan
No, I’m after your sweet tooth!
Linda Hart
I’ll just have a sliver of that!!🤣
Tracey Buchanan
On my way over with your sliver!
Pam Hatcher
I make Derby Pie often. I also put a cup of coconut in mine.
Tracey Buchanan
That sounds delicious, Pam!