The Kentucky Derby is held every year on the first Saturday in May. There are many traditional foods and drinks served, and one of the best is Derby Pie®, that has been baked by the Kerns family for over 50 years. The pie is a mixture of chocolate and nuts and is delicious. It is served at many restaurants in the Louisville area, and is baked in a small family-owned bakery called Kern’s Kitchen, located in Louisville. The original Derby Pie®, was developed by George Kern, with the help of his parents, Walter and Leaudra at their restaurant, Melrose Inn. The pie has been so popular over the years, that it is now available in the frozen food section of most larger grocery stores in Kentucky. The name, Derby Pie®, is a registered trademark, so copycat recipes must be called something different.

I purchased a Derby Pie®, in Kentucky, shared it with my flight attendant roommates, and developed the following recipe for a rich and delicious chocolate chip nut pie which I call Better than the Original Derby Pie. This pie is truly better and worth every calorie, according to my tasters, since my recipe is made with a flaky homemade crust containing real butter as opposed to a commercial-tasting crust made with margarine in the original. Also, there are no preservatives, the walnuts are toasted, and the addition of just a little real Kentucky Bourbon takes this homemade pie to a higher realm. Whether you plan to attend the Kentucky Derby this year or to watch it on TV, this pie is a must to serve for dessert.

10 Servings


1 homemade 9” unbaked pie shell

Filling
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons Kentucky Bourbon

1 cup toasted walnuts (toast in a 350° oven for 8-10 minutes)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Topping
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon Kentucky Bourbon

1. Preheat the oven to 400°.


2. Blind bake the pie crust for 5 minutes.


3. Turn the oven down to 350°.


4. Beat the brown sugar, flour, salt, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and bourbon on low speed until smooth (you don’t want foam).


5. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.


6. Pour the mixture into the partially baked crust.


7. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the center is almost set (it will finish as it cools).


8. Remove to cooling racks.


9. Just before serving, whip the cream to soft peaks.


10. Add the powdered sugar and beat to stiff peaks.


11. Stir in the bourbon and serve over the pie.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 553 Calories from Fat 352
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 64% Protein 5% Carb. 29%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 39 g
Saturated Fat 17 g
Cholesterol 121 mg
Sodium 266 mg
Total Carbohydrate 40 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 7 g

Vitamin A 16% Vitamin C 1% Calcium 0% Iron 11%