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    Home » Dessert

    Race Day Pie (Kentucky Derby Pie)

    Published: May 3, 2013 · Modified: Apr 21, 2022 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Race Day Pie! This Kentucky Derby pie recipe is one you should bet on: A rich, bourbon-infused chocolate and walnut filling bakes inside a pastry dough shell, creating a cookie-like confection that's trophy-worthy!

    Race Day Pie! This Kentucky Derby pie recipe is one you should bet on: A rich, bourbon-infused chocolate and walnut filling bakes inside a pastry dough shell, creating a cookie-like confection that's trophy-worthy!

    Note: This recipe was originally posted on May 3, 2013 and was updated on April 30, 2019.

    Well, you guys, today's my last day to prep for tomorrow's big Derby celebration.

    I've been trying to stick to my party planning timeline all week in an effort to avoid a major meltdown at the 11th hour, but you know how it goes... something always comes up last minute! So, I guess that plan is not to expect to stick with the plan. {I'm learning to be a little more flexible.}

    Anyway, I've been working my way through the menu this week, starting to chop, assemble, and make anything that I can do ahead of time so that I can have fun with everyone else on Saturday. It's taken me many, many parties, events, and gatherings to learn how to plan things out so that this is possible. I can't tell you how many times I've wound up in the kitchen during an entire party, which makes for a very sad hostess & very neglected guests.

    This time around, I've made things ahead and have a good mixture of items that can be served cold or at room temp to balance out those that need to be baked or heated through the day of. {Life would be much easier with a double oven, I'm not gonna lie. But we'll make do with what we've got!}

    I can't keep it to myself anymore... I've got to share my Southern inspired menu for Derby Day. The rest of the details will just have to stay under wraps until after the party. {Rats.}

    Kentucky Derby Menu
     
    Beverages
     Mint Juleps
    Classic, Blackberry-Mint, Grapefruit-Honey, & Peach-Basil
     
    Oaks Lily Cocktail
     
    Governor's Mansion Peach Tea Punch
     
    Appetizers
    Classic Cheese Straws
     
    Benedictine Spread 
    Served with Pumpernickel Toasts
     
    Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip
    Served with Crackers & Grapes
     
    Pineapple Julep Fruit Salad
     
    Mains
    Chicken & Waffle Bites
    with Horseradish Peach Syrup
     
    Country Ham on Homemade Biscuits
    with Pepper Honey
     
    Sides
    Cheese Grits Casserole
     
    Beer Mac & Cheese
     
    Corn on the Cob
    with Chili-Honey Butter
     
    Southern Baked Beans
     
    Blue Cheese Roasted Potato Salad
     
    Dessert
    "Derby Pie"
    Maple Cupcakes with Maple Caramel Buttercream
    topped with Candied Bacon & Candied Pecans
     
    Just about everything is homemade because: A.) I only feed my friends the best. B.) That's just how I roll. and C.) I'm crazy. But I'm also just really excited. {In case you couldn't tell.}
     
    I still have lots left to do before "go time" tomorrow... but I guess there's no event more appropriate to race against time. 😉 Enough yammering on. It's time to get to work & pull together the last details. But before I go, I've got one more thing to share: A recipe for Race Day Pie, a.k.a. "Derby Pie".

    What exactly is Derby Pie ?

    Did you know that you can't actually call it "Derby Pie" because it's a registered trademark of Kern's Kitchen? They're famous for the official Pie of the Kentucky Derby, and they sure take it seriously. Their recipe is super top-secret, and they're very picky about other people claiming to make the real thing. So, out of respect, I'm calling mine "Race Day Pie" ... no need to tick anyone off. 😉

    The iconic Kentucky Derby pie is a delicious blend of chocolate, bourbon, and walnuts, though I've also seen many recipes made with pecans. I stuck to walnuts because that's how Kern's does it, and they're obviously the most official! It's almost like a chocolate chip-walnut cookie baked in a pie crust with the sweet flavor of bourbon shining through. Nothing wrong with that!

    Race Day Pie! This Kentucky Derby pie recipe is one you should bet on: A rich, bourbon-infused chocolate and walnut filling bakes inside a pastry dough shell, creating a cookie-like confection that's trophy-worthy!
     

    Tips for Derby Pie Success

    • I made my own pie crust for this recipe, using Simply Recipes' Perfect Pie Crust, which is made entirely in the food processor or blender and I happen to love for any recipe calling for a crust. If you're short on time, feel free to use a store-bought pie crust. {Best to make it deep dish so none of that delicious filling escapes!}
    • This recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, but I've also made it with milk chocolate chips and it doesn't hurt a thing.
    • You can omit the bourbon if needed, but it does bake out and leaves a mild flavor that gives the pie a special something. If you decide to leave out the booze, try adding an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract for a bit more flavor.
    • A dollop of fresh whipped cream and a sprig of mint makes a great garnish for a slice of this winner.
    No matter what you call this sweet treat, it's sure to be the ideal ending to Derby day... though winning a few bucks on the race wouldn't hurt, either. 😉
    .... And they're off!
    Race Day Pie! This Kentucky Derby pie recipe is one you should bet on: A rich, bourbon-infused chocolate and walnut filling bakes inside a pastry dough shell, creating a cookie-like confection that's trophy-worthy!

    Race Day Pie

    Dianna Muscari | The Kitchen Prep
    Race Day Pie! This Kentucky Derby pie recipe is one you should bet on: A rich, bourbon-infused chocolate and walnut filling bakes inside a pastry dough shell, creating a cookie-like confection that’s trophy-worthy!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • Pie Crust -I used this recipe but you can certainly use your favorite or buy a pre-made pie crust. {I won't tell.}
    • ½ cup flour
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ cup butter melted & slightly cooled
    • 2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon {I used Jim Beam}
    • 1 cup walnuts coarsely chopped
    • ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Pinch of salt
    • Optional: Fresh whipped cream mint leaves for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Make pie crust. {Or unwrap, if cheating!} Arrange in a pie dish. {At this point, I pierced it a bunch of times with a fork just to make sure it didn't puff during baking. It may not be necessary because there's a filling, but I didn't want to risk it.} Refrigerate until needed. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, melted butter, bourbon, and vanilla extract.
    • Add wet ingredients to dry and whisk until just combined. Gently mix in walnuts and chocolate chips.
    • Pour mixture into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is slightly puffed and lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the pie comes out mostly clean. {Not super batter-y.}
    • Cool before slicing. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a sprig of mint if desired.

    Notes

    Recipe from The Chattanoogan

     

    Original Photos circa 2013:
     
     
     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trina says

      May 03, 2013 at 11:55 am

      You really need to open up your own bistro 😉

    2. Sloane @ Life Food and Beer says

      May 03, 2013 at 1:30 pm

      I'm glad I have my invitation... Now I just need a crazy hat!

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