Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie

Written by
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich is a food writer, recipe video producer, and culinary school instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry.
Learn about our editorial process
John Mitzewich
Published on 06/05/19 by John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich is a food writer, recipe video producer, and culinary school instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the food industry.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 06/05/19

Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie

The Spruce
  • Total: 50 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 45 mins
  • Yield: 1 Pie (8 Servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
553 Calories
33g Fat
53g Carbs
11g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 Pie (8 Servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 553
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 43%
Saturated Fat 14g 69%
Cholesterol 144mg 48%
Sodium 361mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Protein 11g
Calcium 96mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The Kentucky Derby is the most legendary of all American thoroughbred horse races. It takes place every year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. The Run for the Roses is the longest-running sporting event in the United States, dating to 1875, and immediately brings to mind traditions that have become indelibly linked to it: knockout hats for the women, a reference to the era in which it originated; mint juleps; betting; the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home"; a blanket of roses for the winning horse, which gave the race its alternate name; celebrities; and bourbon chocolate walnut pie.

George Kern made up the recipe for the pie when he was the manager of the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky, with the help of his parents, and it became its specialty pastry. The name "Derby Pie" has been trademarked by the Kern family, which is extremely vigilant about unauthorized use. The Kerns' recipe is a secret, but this one is similar to the Melrose Inn's famous version, which has been a tradition at the race since the mid-1950s. Bourbon chocolate walnut pie is similar to another iconic Southern dessert, pecan pie, but with walnuts and chocolate, and that extra kick, thanks to Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Just right for an all-weekend party for what's known as "the most exciting two minutes in sports."

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 1/2 cup butter (melted)
  • 2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
  • 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
  • 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 ready-made pie crust (for 9-inch pie)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie ingredients
     The Spruce

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  3. Combine the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl.

    Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie dry ingredients
    The Spruce 

  4. Add the eggs and butter and mix to combine.

    Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie wet ingredients
     The Spruce

  5. Stir in the bourbon, walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt.

    Bourbon, walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt
     The Spruce

  6. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust.

    Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie batter in a pie crust
     The Spruce

  7. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is set.

    Baked Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie
     The Spruce

  8. Set the pie on a wire rack and let cool before slicing.

    Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie
     The Spruce

  9. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Serve in all its bare glory if you are a purist about tradition. Or top with a big spoonful of whipped cream or whipped cream glammed up with chocolate chips and walnuts, either chips or a whole one for garnish if you like more embellishment with your dessert.
  • Vanilla ice cream on top is always a good choice for just about any kind of pie, and the contrast of textures of chocolate walnut pie and smooth ice cream is especially delicious.