This Bourbon Kentucky Derby Pie is a Southern tradition that tastes just like a warm chocolate chip cookie with pecans in pie form! Whether you’re watching the Kentucky Derby or just want a delicious and easy-to-make dessert recipe, this pie is for you!

overhead view of Kentucky derby pie on dark backdrop

We had rain on and off all day Saturday so what’s a girl to do stuck inside with three little boys and a hungry husband? Bake of course! Continuing with my Kentucky Derby party theme, (I shared my mint julep recipe last week and all my favorite sides for teas sandwiches), today I have an amazing recipe for Kentucky Derby Pie.

What is Kentucky Derby Pie?

If you haven’t heard of this delicious concoction, today is your lucky day. This easy recipe is unbelievably simple to make and yields a delicious pie filled with pecans and chocolate (and for a super authentic version, a little Kentucky bourbon as well!)

It’s one of my favorite pie recipes…I’ve heard it called Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie also because the filling turns out a similar texture and flavor as a cookie. I dare you to take just one bite! (This pie would be perfect for a Kentucky Derby party too!)

Where did it originate?

The Kentucky Derby is America’s most famous horse race. It takes place every year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. The Run for the Roses race is the longest-running sporting event in the United States, dating all the way back to 1875.

This Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie was created by Leaudra and Walter Kern and their son George Kern at the Melrose Inn in the 1950s and has been a Derby classic ever since. (source) The original recipe used walnuts but derby pie with pecans have become just as popular over the years.

Do you have to use bourbon?

While the traditional recipe does include a splash of bourbon, you can choose to omit it if you like. The end result will not have any major taste difference either way. I usually make mine without and save the bourbon for my mint juleps!

Ingredients

butter
dark brown sugar
granulated sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
Kentucky bourbon (optional)
all-purpose flour
salt
semisweet chocolate chips
pecan halves
frozen deep dish unbaked pie crust or homemade pie crust

Step by step

Unlike my Pecan Pie or Chocolate Pecan Pie recipes, this pie does not require corn syrup AND it can be prepped in just 15 minutes!

Mix the butter, sugars, then egg and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl just like a traditional cookie recipe. You can also add the optional bourbon at this step too.
Add the remaining dry ingredients, then fold in the chocolate chips and pecans then pour into a pie shell.
Bake one hour then let it sit 15 minutes before serving. It’s amazing on its own or topped with whipped cream or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Kentucky derby pie with one slice missing

Tips for best results

place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet while baking to avoid spills and mess in the oven
if the crust starts to over-brown, cover it with foil
you can make this pie up to 3 days in advance

Storage FAQ

Freezing While it is possible to freeze this pie I cannot recommend it. The pie will change in texture and part of what makes it so amazing is that cookie-like texture. The crust also tends to get soggy. Save this pie for when you can make it fresh!

Leftovers Wrap leftovers with plastic wrap and store at room temperature up to 5 days. Keep up to a week stored in the refrigerator.

If you like this recipe you might also want to try these other delicious pies:

If you try this recipe I would love it if you could comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!