There’s nothing like the Kentucky Derby. The excitement of those 2 minutes is unparalleled. Being there in person is something I’ve gotten to enjoy three times. My grandfather was from Louisville and every time I hear “My Old Kentucky Home” played, I get misty-eyed, as he did.
There’s nothing like the Kentucky Derby. The excitement of those 2 minutes is unparalleled. Being there in person is something I’ve gotten to enjoy three times. My grandfather was from Louisville and every time I hear “My Old Kentucky Home” played, I get misty-eyed, as he did.
We won’t be at the Derby this year, but we will be at home cheering on my husband’s aunt’s horse. She bred Upstart in Bedford, NY and after decades of breeding thoroughbreds, this will be her first Derby contender.
Besides a Mint Julep (or two) the thing I look forward to the most Derby Day is the pie. Kentucky Derby Pie is like a pecan pie, only with walnuts and chocolate, and usually a splash of Kentucky bourbon. And it is so good!
This Kentucky Chocolate Walnut Derby Pie is super easy to make and if using a pre-made crust, it only takes minutes to prepare and about 40 minutes in the oven. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool enough before you slice it so that the pieces hold their form.
You can serve Kentucky Derby Pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream (or try mint chocolate chip) or some Bourbon Whipped Cream.
The best part of this Kentucky Chocolate Walnut Derby Pie is the Diamond Walnuts. Diamond Walnuts are high quality, fresh tasting nuts that are grown on family farms throughout the state of California. I use them for all kinds of baking, plus I frequently sprinkle them on my salads. I love that the Diamond Chopped Walnuts already come chopped in the perfect size for this Derby Pie.
This thick, gooey, chocolaty pie with the delicious taste and crunch of walnuts all in a buttery pie crust is the perfect addition to your Kentucky Derby Day!
 You can use a refrigerated pie crust or make a homemade flaky pie crust.
Chocolate Walnut Pie
Ingredients
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
- 1 1/4 cups toasted walnuts
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons), melted and cooled
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Bourbon Whipped Cream
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges.
- Scatter the walnuts and chocolate chips on top of pie crust.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together both sugars and flour.
- Add eggs, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla, and salt and stir until smooth.
- Pour on top of chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Place in oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until set.
- To make bourbon whipped cream, beat heavy cream with an electric mixer until it starts to thicken, add confectioners' sugar and bourbon and continue to beat until the consistency of whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Want to Save This Recipe?
 Diamond Walnuts Giveway
Diamond Nuts is generously giving 5 winners 2 bags of chopped walnuts so that you can make your own Derby Pie. To enter just comment below telling us your favorite way to enjoy walnuts.
Winners will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway is open until Monday April 27 at 9am EST. Winners will be notified by email and will have 24 hours to respond. If no response within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen. Must live within continental US to enter.
Disclosure: This post and Giveaway have been sponsored by Diamond Walnuts. All opinions stated are my own.
I’m ready to pop this in the oven but have a question, your picture shows pastry on top but you don’t have a cover in your direction??carol
that topping comes from the filling sugars
I have made this recipe several times with wonderful results. I’m not sure what will happen today as I just realized I accidentally double the amount of bourbon!
I am baking one right now and I accidentally put 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract instead of bourbon, then I added 1/2 flour more . I don’t know, I hope it’s not bitter.
Made this with a bourbon twist for dinner guests. Never roasted walnuts before; they became very bitter. Perhaps I over toasted them, or they were freezer burnt. I dunno. Otherwise, it was a big hit!
Could this be made with mini chocolate chips?
Yes, you can definitely make it with mini chocolate chips! 🙂
This recipe looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing it Christin! My only question is, do you toast the diamond walnuts before you add them to the pie, or do you just use them straight from the bag?
Thanks!! Looking forward to making this!
There’s no need to toast them first Kaylee.
My favorite way to eat walnuts is to spread them out on my cookie sheet and toast them in a 300 degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, let them cool and then put them in a air tight jar ( like a Mason jar ) and munch on them , put them on my cereal, ice cream , salads, and many other uses. It’s great, because you don’t have to stop to toast them. Love, love toasted walnuts.