Kentucky Derby Pie

Why I Love This Recipe

The Kentucky Derby Pie was created at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky, and the recipe remains a closely guarded secret to this day.

Ingredients You'll Need

1 unbaked pie crust
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons bourbon

How To Prepare A Kentucky Derby Pie
The Kentucky Derby is almost here, and horse racing enthusiasts and food lovers, have already placed their Burgoo Stew for slow cooking. The Kentucky Derby has many incredible recipes that are delicious and will make your taste buds scream for more.
But when it comes to the desert, despite the few options, most people go for the Kentucky Derby Pie. And why wouldn’t they? This is a delicious chocolaty pie traditionally served with whipped cream on the top, with an incredible crust that will make you forget about your diet for a moment.
So, while you are preparing for the Kentucky Derby by browsing some of the best bets on TwinSpires.com, don’t be afraid to explore some traditional cooking recipes like the Derby Pie you can do at home.
You don’t have to wait for the Kentucky Derby to try this iconic pie. You can do it at your home any day of the week. The recipe is simple and the hardest thing about the Kentucky Derby pie is getting the texture and thickness of the crust right.
In today’s article, we will dive deeper into the Kentucky Derby Pie and find out how to make it at home.
History of the Kentucky Derby Pie
Since the event itself is engulfed with history and tradition, let’s take a look the how the Kentucky Derby pie ended up on their menu. The origins of this pie can be traced back to Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky.
This hotel in the 1950s, and the executive chef, George Kern, created this indulgent dessert as their signature dish for the restaurant. Just because it is delicious, it quickly gained popularity among the locals, and visitors were also impressed.
Since then, it has become synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, one of the most popular races in the world that attracts thousands of spectators every year. You cannot say that you’ve fully experienced the Kentucky Derby without trying some of the local food, and this pie is the number one option for dessert.
But this pie has a rather more interesting history. Did you know that the “Kentucky Derby Pie” is actually trademarked? Yes, the name of a recipe is trademarked, which is kind of shocking since we are only talking about a dessert.
The Kern family who owned Melrose Inn managed to trademark the name just to highlight the unique identity of their creation. This move sparked many debates over the years as many restaurants and chefs tried to recreate the recipe while avoiding the trademarked name.
Only authorized bakers can use the name Kentucky Derby Pie on their menus. This adds another layer of exclusivity for the Kentucky Derby.
Getting Started: Ingredients and Preparation
Before diving into the pie-making process, let's gather our ingredients and equipment:
Ingredients:
1 (9-inch) pie crust pastry if you don’t like do to the crust yourself
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 cup of chopped pecans
2 tablespoons bourbon (Optional, just to intensify the flavors even more)
1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
1 homemade pie crust (see recipe below)
Homemade Pie Crust Recipe:
1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/4 cup of cold water
If you are an amateur in cooking, avoid making the crust yourself. You can buy already prepared pie crust pastry which will also speed up the cooking process.
Step-by-Step Guide On How to Make the Kentucky Derby Pie
1. Preparing the Homemade Pie Crust:
Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl.
Then add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the cold water, mixing until the dough comes together.
Finally, shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preparing the Filling:
In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, beaten eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Stir in the chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
3. Assembling and Baking the Pie:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll out the chilled pie crust on a floured surface and transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish.
Pour the filling mixture into the pie crust, spreading it evenly.
Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
Allow the pie to cool before slicing and serving.
Add whipped cream on the top to get the traditional Kentucky Derby presentation
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions
Q: Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of making my own?
A: Absolutely! While a homemade crust adds a personal touch, you can certainly use a pre-made crust for convenience.
Q: Can I substitute ingredients in the filling?
A: Feel free to experiment! You can try using different nuts like walnuts or almonds, or swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate or butterscotch chips.




1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pairs Well With

A glass of Kentucky bourbon or a strong black coffee

Questions, Comments & Reviews