Easy Derby Pie Recipe

What better way to end the evening than with a sweet pie that's great for a crowd? As most of us know, pie comes in all different flavors, and with a lot of pie recipes, they contain a sweet fruit filling. This derby pie is slightly outside of the box when it comes to traditional pies; instead of fruit, it's filled with a tasty batter that comes complete with semisweet chocolate chips and walnuts, adding just the right amount of crunch. If you haven't heard of derby pie, recipe developer Molly Pisula explains it the best. "Derby Pie is a type of pie invented in Kentucky in the 1950s that features chocolate chips and walnuts in a pastry pie shell," she explains. 

Pisula also gives a little insight into her favorite part about the recipe."What I like most about the pie is that it is so easy to make," she raves, noting that you don't even need a mixer to make it. She adds that it's also "really tasty — almost like a nutty chocolate chip cookie in pie form." Give fruit pies a break and opt for this unique and delicious derby pie instead.

Gather the ingredients for easy derby pie

Once you are ready to begin, you will need to make a list of ingredients and head to the store. Be sure to pick up a pie crust, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, eggs, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, kosher salt, chopped walnuts, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Preheat the oven and unroll the pie crust

Since you will need to use an oven for this recipe, go ahead and preheat yours to 325 F. While you wait for the oven to get nice and hot, grab the pie crust and press it into a 9-inch plate. "You can save even more time by buying one of those disposable pie tins that are pre-lined with the crust," Pisula says, but be sure that you're getting a raw crust, not a pre-baked one.

Crimp the dough around the sides of the pan with your fingers, making sure to pinch firmly around the edges. Alternatively, could use a fork instead.

Whisk together the flour and sugar

Take out a large bowl and add the sugar and the flour. Use a whisk to incorporate the two ingredients together, making sure to break up any large chunks with your fingers if necessary. Then, add the eggs, butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. "Let the butter cool slightly before adding to the batter — that will make sure the chocolate chips don't melt when you add them," Pisula notes.

By the way, almond extract is the secret ingredient. "This derby pie has a slightly nutty flavor due to the walnuts in the batter, but adding the almond extract brings out that flavor and plays beautifully with the chocolate flavor as well," Pisula shares.

Pour the batter into the crust

The last two things you will need to add to the batter are walnuts and chocolate chips. "[You] can substitute pecans for walnuts," Pisula notes. Once you add them, stir everything together to combine.

Now, you can dump the batter into your prepared pie pan and let it bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Cook until the pie is fully set and the top is lightly browned.

Let the pie cool and enjoy

Once you remove the pie from the oven, let it cool on a wire rack. "It's important to let the pie rest and cool after taking out of the oven," Pisula notes. "If you try to cut it too early, you won't get clean slices of pie." Pisula adds, "It is delicious on its own, but also great topped with whipped cream or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream." Can you say "yum?" 

Anything left? "Pie will last for 48 hours, covered, at room temperature. Or you can refrigerate or freeze leftovers," Pisula notes. "Great to pop leftovers in the microwave to warm up before serving."

Easy Derby Pie Recipe
5 from 38 ratings
Switch things up with this easy, chocolatey Derby pie recipe.
Prep Time
10
minutes
Cook Time
50
minutes
Servings
8
Servings
easy derby pie on plate
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients
  • 1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
  2. Unroll the pie crust and press it into a 9-inch pie plate.
  3. Crimp the dough around the sides of the pan, using your fingers to pinch around the edges or press with the tines of a fork.
  4. Whisk together the sugar and flour in a large bowl, breaking up any large brown sugar chunks with your fingers if necessary.
  5. Whisk in the eggs, butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt.
  6. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pie pan and bake for 50 to 55 min, until the pie is fully set and the top is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before serving.
  8. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 621
Total Fat 37.7 g
Saturated Fat 16.1 g
Trans Fat 0.5 g
Cholesterol 76.9 mg
Total Carbohydrates 67.1 g
Dietary Fiber 3.3 g
Total Sugars 42.0 g
Sodium 265.2 mg
Protein 6.7 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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