Kentucky Derby Pie

Name: Kentucky Derby Pie with Bourbon and Pecans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 eggs; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 3/4 cup corn syrup; 1/3 cup flour; 1 tsp vanilla; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 2 tbsp bourbon (optional); 3/4 cup chocolate chips; 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans; 9'' prepared, uncooked pie crust

Kentucky Derby Pie is a gooey Southern classic filled with chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and a splash of bourbon in a custardy filling that bakes into a fudgy texture. It requires minimal mixing and delivers restaurant-quality results in under an hour.

🌍American 🏷️Pecan 🏷️Chocolate pecan pie 🏷️Bourbon pie 🏷️Kentucky derby pie

Total

1h 10m

Servings

8

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Adorefoods · by Adore Foods

Ingredients

4 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp bourbon (optional)optional
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
9'' prepared, uncooked pie crust

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Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 325ºF
2
Whisk eggs and add brown sugar, corn syrup, and flour until fully incorporated.
3
Stir in vanilla, butter, and bourbon
4
Dust the chocolate chips with a bit of flour before adding them to the pie to help keep them from sinking to the bottom. Add chocolate chips and pecans and give it a good stir
5
Pour into prepared pie shell and bake in center of oven for 60 minutes
6
Remove from oven and let cool completely
7
Slice and serve

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Melt butter completely and let it cool slightly before whisking with eggs and sugar to prevent curdling.
Pour filling into an uncooked crust; the crust will partially bake as the filling sets, yielding a tender texture.
Check doneness at 35 minutes; edges should be firm and opaque while the center wobbles gently—overbaking dries out the custard.
Let the pie cool to room temperature before slicing; the filling continues to firm up and is easier to portion.

Substitutions

Corn syrup → honey or maple syrup (adds slight flavor shift but maintains custardy texture)
Pecans → walnuts or a combination of both (equal weight swap)
Chocolate chips → chopped dark chocolate or toffee bits (maintains sweetness and texture)
Bourbon → brandy, rum, or vanilla extract (use same volume)

Storage & make-ahead

Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Serve chilled or reheat gently at 300°F for 10 minutes; do not freeze.

Common Questions

Can I make Kentucky Derby Pie without bourbon?

Yes. Bourbon is optional and adds depth; omit it or substitute 2 tbsp vanilla extract or water without changing the texture or bake time.

How do I know when Kentucky Derby Pie is done baking?

Bake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly when you shake the pan—about 35–40 minutes at 350°F. It continues to firm up as it cools.