Race Day Pie (Kentucky Derby Pie)

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.}

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.

Race Day Pie

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