Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe is a Trifecta of Chocolate, Bourbon & Pecans (2024)

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

• Deep Dish Pie Crust– I use a frozen deep dish crustbecause 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 co*cktail. 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, slideit in the oven and bake.

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

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.

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.

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

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

PIN THIS! Kentucky Derby Trifecta Pie RECIPE

Kentucky Derby Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe

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