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    Bourbon Pecan Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe

    Desserts, Easy Recipes, Popular Recipes Jump to Recipe

    collage photo with baking ingredients and a chocolate pecan pie
    collage photo of a slice of chocolate pecan bourbon Kentucky Derby pie
    collage photo of a slice of chocolate pecan bourbon Kentucky Derby pie
    slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with a silver fork
    slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with a silver fork
    slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with a silver fork
    collage photo with baking ingredients and a chocolate pecan pie
    collage photo with baking ingredients and a chocolate pecan pie
    collage photo with baking ingredients and a chocolate pecan pie
    collage photo with baking ingredients and a chocolate pecan pie
    collage showing ingredients, unbaked, baked and sliced Kentucky Derby pie

    A trifecta of chocolate, pecans and bourbon, this Kentucky Derby pie is the perfect dessert to serve at your Kentucky Derby viewing or tailgate party. Even if you’re not into horse racing, you won’t be able to resist a slice of this delicious dessert.

    As a UNC Tar Heel, I have an extreme dislike for Kentucky’s college basketball team. But I’m a big fan of Kentucky bourbon, horse racing, big hats and delicious Kentucky Derby pie.

    A trifecta of chocolate, pecans and bourbon, this Kentucky Derby Pie is the perfect dessert to serve at your Kentucky Derby party. Even if you're not into horse racing, you won't be able to resist a slice of this delicious dessert. (And it's amazingly easy to make!) Serve it with an ice-cold refreshing mint julep and you'll feel like you've found your old Kentucky home.

    What’s not to love about a delicious chocolatey, nutty pie with a bourbon kick?

    It’s the perfect accompaniment for an icy homemade bourbon mint julep. And of course, it’s a no brainer to serve at a Kentucky Derby party.

    I usally only make this combo once a year. Though as I’m sitting here typing and sipping on an icy mint julep and contemplating a second slice of pie, I don’t know why these two delicacies aren’t on the regular menu rotation!

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    Because they’re both really easy to make. Simple recipes — I promise!  And you know they taste good!

    Planning a Kentucky Derby party? You must try this refreshing mint julep recipe, served in a frosty silver julep cup.

    What is Kentucky Derby Pie

    The original recipe was created by the Kern family in the 1950s and served at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Ky. Theirs, made using a secret recipe that includes chocolate, walnut and bourbon, is the only official Derby-Pie®.

    But you’ll find many make-at-home versions and variations in the recipe boxes of cooks from Kentucky and throughout the south.

    My version uses pecans instead of walnuts — although you could certainly substitute them if you prefer their flavor. The finished pie tastes a little bit like a chocolate chip cookie in a crust, with a bourbon kick and lots of pecans.

    slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate. with a mint julep sitting beside it

    The flour and some of the chocolate chips rise to the top to create a cookie-like crust, while the center is more gooey, similar to a chocolate pecan pie, with rich bourbon flavor.

    I like to call my version a Trifecta Pie, a little play on horse racing lingo that also makes reference to the three key ingredients.

    slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with a silver fork

    You can scroll to the end of this post for the full recipe and ingredient list and a printable recipe card. But you may want to keep reading for more tips on how to make the perfect air fryer wontons.

    Jump to Recipe

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    To Make Chocolate Chip Bourbon Pecan Pie , You Will Need:

    A trifecta of chocolate, pecans and bourbon, this Kentucky Derby Pie is the perfect dessert to serve at your Kentucky Derby party. Even if you're not into horse racing, you won't be able to resist a slice of this delicious dessert. (And it's amazingly easy to make!) Serve it with an ice-cold refreshing mint julep and you'll feel like you've found your old Kentucky home.
    • Deep Dish Pie Crust  – I use a frozen deep dish crust because I’m all about easy, but if you have the extra time, whip up Martha’s perfect homemade pie crust.
    • Granulated sugar  – Use traditional white, granulated sugar in this recipe, not a subsitute or alternative sweetener.
    • All-purpose flour – Make sure you use all-purpose flour for best results.
    • Butter – I like to use unsalted butter when baking, but salted butter won’t ruin the recipe.
    • Eggs – Always opt for large eggs when baking, unless otherwise specified.
    • Pecans – I prefer to use pecan halves in this recipe; it makes for a prettier pie. Choose pecans that have a recent freshness date.
    • Bourbon – Since bourbon is a key ingredient in a Kentucky Derby pie, pick a high quality brand that you wouldn’t mind drinking straight or in an Old Fashioned cocktail. However, there’s no need to use the most expensive bourbon for baking or a rareified brand like Pappy Van Winkle.
    • Semisweet chocolate morsels – These chips have a higher cocoa content than milk chocolate and taste slightly bitter, more like dark chocolate.

    How to Make Trifecta Pie

    Every time I make a pie, I wonder why I don’t make more. They are so simple to put together, much easier than cookies or cakes and so many other desserts.

    For a pie, you pretty much just throw the ingredients together in a crust, slide it in the oven and bake.

    And about an hour later (give or take a few minutes), you get this.

    A trifecta of chocolate, pecans and bourbon, this Kentucky Derby Pie is the perfect dessert to serve at your Kentucky Derby party. Even if you're not into horse racing, you won't be able to resist a slice of this delicious dessert. (And it's amazingly easy to make!) Serve it with an ice-cold refreshing mint julep and you'll feel like you've found your old Kentucky home.

    Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

    Easy Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe to serve for the Kentucky Derby.

    1. While the oven is preheating, combine the sugar and flour in a large mixing bowl.

    2. Add cooled, melted butter and stir until combined.

    3. Next, add the eggs and bourbon and stir until fully incorporated.

    4. Fold in pecans and chocolate chips.

    5. Pour mixture into a deep dish pie crust.
      unbaked chocolate pecan Kentucky Derby pie in a shell

    6. To prevent messy spills in the oven, place the pie pan on a large rimmed baking sheet to bake.

    7. To prevent the edges of the pie crust from browning too quickly, you may need to cover them with foil part way through or use a pie shield.

    8. The pie is ready when it is set and the crust is light brown, usually in 45 to 55 minutes.baked Kentucky Derby pie

    9. After removing the pie from the oven, allow it to cool before cutting and serving.

    how Should I serve Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

    A slice of this pie is great on its own, served room temperature.

    But it’s also delicious heated slightly in the microwave, just long enough so that the chocolate chips get all oozy.

    slice of chocolate pecan pie beside a mint julep cup

    You can also serve the pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream. (Mix a little bourbon in, in addition to vanilla extract, for a boozy whipped topping.)

    If you’re planning on serving the pie on a hot day, you may want to try my friend Sara’s recipe for sturdy whipped cream frosting to keep it from melting in the heat.

    Baking tips & Tricks

    Variations & Substitutions

    If you want to change this recipe up a bit and make it more like the original, you can subsitute walnuts, in equal portion, for the pecans.

    If you don’t like cooking with alcohol, you can omit the bourbon and subsitute 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla.

    slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with a silver fork

    For Best Results

    To prevent messy spills in the oven, place the pie pan on a large rimmed baking sheet to bake.

    To keep the edges of the pie crust from browning too quickly, you may need to cover them with foil part way through or use a pie shield. Check the pie after 10 or 15 minutes in the oven. If the edges are browning too quickly, add foil or the pie shield.

    Frequently Asked QUESTIONS

    Can you make derby pie ahead of time?

    Yes, this recipe is a great one to make 1 to 3 days ahead of time. There’s no need to refrigerate the pie. Once it has cooled completely, you can cover it with foil or store it in a pie keeper. The pie should last 5 days or longer stored on your countertop and longer if refrigerated.

    Can I freeze Kentucky Derby pie?

    Yes, this pie freezes well. Just place in an air tight container or a freezer-safe bag and refrigerate for up to 6 months. Thaw completely before serving.
    You can also freeze slices individually if you have leftovers.

    What does Kentucky Derby Pie taste like?

    A little slice of heaven!
    Seriously, though, this Trifecta pie tastes like a cross between a really good chocolate chip cookie and a pecan pie with a wonderful bourbon chaser. There’s a reason it’s such a beloved tradition in Kentucky and throughout the south.

    More Recipes to Serve for the Kentucky Derby

    If you enjoyed this pie recipe, don’t miss these other Kentucky Derby party food & drink ideas.

    • Classic Mint Julep
    • Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie Bars
    • Chocolate Pecan Turtle Cookie Dip
    • Southern Style Pimento Cheese
    • Kentucky Derby Party Recipes
    Plan the ultimate Kentucky Derby party with this collection of traditional southern recipes. Learn now to make classic cocktails, like the mint julep, plus other boozy and virgin libations, as well as savory snacks and appetizers and chocolate and bourbon-soaked desserts.

    PIN THIS! Kentucky Derby Trifecta Pie RECIPE

    collage showing ingredients, unbaked, baked and sliced chocolate bourbon pecan pie

    Kentucky Derby Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

    If you try Kentucky Derby Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie or any recipe on Atta Girl Says, please come back and share your 5-star rating in the comments below! I appreciate it, and my readers do, too!

    baked Kentucky Derby pie

    Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

    A trifecta of chocolate, pecans and bourbon, this pie is the perfect dessert to serve at your Kentucky Derby party. Even if you’re not into horse racing, you won’t be able to resist a slice of this delicious dessert.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 490 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 deep dish pie crust
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 stick butter melted and cooled
    • 2 large eggs beaten
    • 1 ounce bourbon
    • 1 cups pecan
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and flour.
    • Add melted butter and stir until combined. Add eggs and bourbon and stir until fully incorporated.
    • Fold in pecans and chocolate chips.
    • Pour mixture into a deep dish pie pan.
    • Place pie pan in the middle of a large rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes, until the pie is set and the crust is light brown.
    • Check on the pie as it it cooking. If the edges of the crust are browning too quickly, cover them with foil and continue baking.
    • Remove from oven, allow to cool, cut and serve.

    Notes

    Notes & Tips
    1. To prevent messy spills in the oven, place the pie pan on a large rimmed baking sheet to bake.
    2. To keep the edges of the pie crust from browning too quickly, you may need to cover them with foil part way through or use a pie shield. Check the pie after 10 or 15 minutes in the oven. If the edges are browning too quickly, add foil or the pie shield.
    Subsititutions
    1. You may substitute 1 cup of walnuts for the pecans in this recipe.
    2. If you prefer not to use bourbon, you can omit it from the recipe, substituting 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 6gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 118mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 3gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2.8mg
    Did You Make This?Mention @AttaGirlSays or tag #attagirlsays!

    Filed Under: Desserts, Easy Recipes, Popular Recipes Tagged With: dessert, dessert recipes, equestrian, kentucky derby, pie recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mrs Major Hoff

      November 22, 2017 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorites! Such a classic! We make it every year for Thanksgiving

      Reply
    2. Kathy Gonzalez

      May 10, 2017 at 10:48 pm

      5 stars
      I am a pie girl. I come from a pie family. This pie looks like it will quickly fly become a family fav2orite. Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    3. Ann Brown

      May 04, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      Many years ago my grandfather introduced me to the Derby and the pie as a 6year old. I was fascinated by the hats, crowd, and horse’s,we went for several years,I miss that time. And make the pie and juleps each year.
      Just for the race, and this year I’m taking my granddaughters to the race.

      Reply
    4. Nan

      January 08, 2017 at 3:51 pm

      Hi. I plan to make these for a ladies’ tea during Derby season. I’ll need to make about 60 mini pies (in cupcake tins). Do you know if I can freeze them so I can get a head start?

      Reply
    5. Sheryl

      May 26, 2015 at 6:40 pm

      This sounds so yummy. It’s been a long time since I had Derby Pie. I might have to try making it!

      Reply
    6. Sandra

      May 13, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      I’ve tried this bourbon before and it is pretty tasty. This pie must be wonderful!

      Reply
    7. sarah

      May 12, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      This looks delicious and perfect for any Kentucy Derby or horse racing party! This was one of my favs next to your sangria! Thank you for joining us for Pretty Pintastic Party, where every post gets pinned! Hope to see you again this week!

      Reply
    8. Diane

      May 11, 2015 at 9:45 pm

      That’s a lovely pie! Perfect for an annual tradition like the Derby!
      Thanks for linking up at #PureBlogLove PIN LINK party. Remember our party rules have changed. We’d love to have you link a PIN LINK at our next party so we can add you to our #PureBlogLove Craft board! We always comment right on the PINS and give them a love.! Looking forward to seeing your ideas at our next party!

      Reply
    9. kristiina

      May 09, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      OMG, this looks amazing. It reminds me so much of a dessert I used to order every weekend after my shift bussing tables at a nice restaurant in Virginia. I cannot remember the name of it….this could be a dupe! Thanks for bringing back so many good memories and I’ll be adding this to my arsenal of recipes 🙂 xo kristiina

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        May 11, 2015 at 11:55 am

        I hope this recipe lives up to your memories and truly is a ringer for the one you used to order. It’s kinda a cross between pie and a cookie. I recommend serving it slightly warm, and if you want to be really decadent, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

        Reply
    10. Kyla

      May 09, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      Holy buckets this sounds absolutely amazing! Thanks for linking up at Found & Foraged. See you tonight at 8PM!

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        May 11, 2015 at 11:56 am

        It’s pretty tasty! Thanks for hosting a fabulous party!

        Reply
    11. ashley

      May 07, 2015 at 8:37 am

      Oh yum! This looks and sounds delicious! Can’t wait to make it 🙂

      Reply
    12. Travel Animal Doctor

      May 06, 2015 at 8:56 am

      Wow your photography is gorgeous. And that pie looks mmm mmm good.

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        May 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm

        Thanks so much for the compliments on my photography. It’s something I continue to work on and hopefully improve. Plus, there’s no way this pie can look bad!

        Reply
    13. Amber

      May 04, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      I’ve never had Derby Pie but it looks so great! Hope you Kentucky Derby celebration was as great as mine! Check out my link from the Monday blog hop for Sriracha Candied Bacon… How we celebrate the Kentucky Derby here in California!

      Reply
    14. J @ A Hot Southern Mess

      May 04, 2015 at 10:37 am

      Oh yum! This looks so so good! The ingredients seem like they would be wonderful together! Thanks for sharing this recipe! I also love derby season!

      Reply
    15. Bev

      May 04, 2015 at 8:48 am

      I made this …I think I kept it in oven to long . It was very dry

      Reply
    16. kirby carespodi

      May 01, 2015 at 8:12 am

      It sounds really good…I wonder what would happen if I double (triple) the bourbon? Probably would just end up drinking the pie!

      Reply
      • Carol

        May 05, 2017 at 4:39 pm

        I am going to add a little more bourbon and see what happens!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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