There is a very famous pie associated with the great state of Kentucky and specifically, the Kentucky Derby known as Derby Pie. I knew I had to try it for my American Eats series, where I’m working my way through some of the most popular recipes for each state, one state at a time, even though I had also already made Kentucky butter cake as a dessert to represent Kentucky. One can never have too many dessert recipes representing one’s state, right? This is not quite the famous derby pie, which as I understand it, is a super-secret recipe that typically contains bourbon and possibly pecans in place of walnuts (I kept finding recipes that disagreed on this point so if someone has reliable intelligence on this, I’m all ears). How can you say no to a dessert that is chock full of chocolate chips? If you love chocolate chip desserts, try making a Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie! Or go with a classic and make our best ever soft & chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies! The elements of chocolate chips and nuts combine with an easy-to-whip-up filling that get poured into a pie crust and bakes into a chewy, gooey, toffee/butterscotch-esque layer with a crackly top that seem to come close to what a derby pie is actually like. When I get the chance to go to Kentucky, I’ll do some reconnaissance work and see how similar they really are. Or if you happen to be from Kentucky and have particular insight, I would love if you would drop your wisdom in the comments below! If you love pecan pie and chocolate chip cookies, this is the pie for you! It sort of straddles the line between those two desserts in a fabulous way!
How to make Kentucky chocolate walnut pie
Tips for Chocolate Walnut Pie
Homemade vs. store-bought crust. I prefer this homemade pie crust which you can make ahead and keep in the freezer so you always have a pie crust on hand ready to go. But you can use a store-bought crust to make this a super quick and easy to make pie if pie crusts are intimidating to you. Have patience! Let the pie cool completely before cutting into it! The filling takes a while to set up all the way and cutting into it too early will result in soupy slices that won’t transfer to a plate very well at all. Change up the nuts (or leave them out!) Feel free to switch up the chips and nuts if you like! You could use dark or milk chocolate chips in place of semi-sweet, or pecans, macadamia nuts, or even almonds in place of the walnuts for a different result based on your personal preference! Or if you have nut allergies, this pie could be made without the nuts entirely.
Don’t just wait for the Kentucky Derby to make this pie each year! It’s a great every-day (well, maybe not EVERY day, but you know what I mean) kind of dessert because it’s so easy to make. You might even want to think about adding it to part of your Thanksgiving dessert line-up for something a little different from the norm!
More pie recipes you’ll love
Chocolate Cream Pie Southern Peach Pie Homemade Blackberry Pie Best Apple Pie Sour Cream Raisin Pie Coconut Cream Pie Homemade Pumpkin Pie
More States I Have Visited in my American Eats Series
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • Oregon • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • South Dakota • Texas • Utah • Wisconsin
The Best Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie Recipe
Best Banoffee Pie
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
