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All the best recipes are the ones handed down.
And this here pie? Well it’s one of my absolute favorite recipes made by my grandma…aka Nonnie.
You guys remember the recipe books that your mom had when you were a kid, right? The ones with a plastic binder and paper smeared with butter, chocolate and who knows what else?
Yeah, well this one in the below photo was my moms. She used it all the time, but mostly for one sole recipe. My grandma’s Kentucky Derby Pie.
I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to share this recipe, but with the Kentucky Derby coming up next week I thought that now would be just the perfect time.
Growing up, my Nonnie would make this pie all the time. My brothers would never touch it because of the pecans, but I was the odd kid that loved a pie loaded with pecans…and a little bourbon too.
Just like most of my grandma’s recipes, this pie is simple, but also the BEST. It’s sweet, loaded with chocolate and pecans, and so super gooey.
While the original reason for this pie was to celebrate the Kentucky Derby, my Nonnie made this year-round. It’s just too good to enjoy only once a year, you know?
Speaking of the Kentucky Derby, my mom’s Godmother’s daughter will be attending, and I hear there’s a decent chance she will be seen in the winners circle with a horse named Irish War Cry. So are any of you guys having any fun parties to celebrate? I’ve never done anything for the Derby, but I feel like it would make such a great excuse for a cool party. Kentucky Hot Browns, Corn Pudding, Blackberry Bourbon Smash, and pies?
Um, yes please! Maybe this year…feeling the need for a little fun!
Sidenote: As I type, it is a complete whiteout outside my window with snow forecasted through May 4th!
OKOK, anyway!
Like I mentioned, this pie has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Both my Nonnie and my mom made it, and now I make it. Typically around Christmas and then maybe once again in the summer. But this year I made it for the Derby!
I haven’t changed much about my Nonnie’s recipe, but over the years I did make two small changes. I reduced the sugar a bit and swapped the corn syrup for pure maple syrup. Both very good swaps in my opinion and ones that I know my Nonnie would love…which has me thinking, I think I will have to send her one!
Plus, I think maple just adds to the whole “southern” pie experience don’t you think?
The rest of the pie is simple, simple. Butter, sugar, eggs, maple, a little bourbon, some vanilla, lots of chocolate chips, pecans and a pinch of salt. Pantry ingredients.
Of course you’ll also need a pie crust. I use this recipe, but my grandma is super smart and knows that a store-bought crust is never a bad idea either, so if that’s easier for you, go for it!
The one important thing to note about this pie is the cooking time. It will need to bake for fifty to sixty minutes, but guys don’t worry if the pie is just slightly jiggly in the center when it comes out, that’s OK. The pie will sink and set as it cools and in turn you will be left with the most perfect pie.
Ever.
When Nonnie makes this pie, she serves it up with a simple dollop of whipped cream. I like to do the same…only I add just a splash of bourbon to my cream for a little extra flavor. I mean, it is a Kentucky Derby Pie after all, so I feel like the more bourbon the better…good thing it’s on a Saturday. 🙂
This pie is always the crowd favorite. I have yet to meet a person who does not LOVE it, and to this day it’s both of my parents favorite pie.
We like to eat this when it’s still a little warm, topped with that bourbon cream. Trust me though, the leftovers are just as good the next morning…ooops I mean day. Right, right.
PS. this smells amazing while baking in the oven…just saying.
Nonnie's Kentucky Derby Pie.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 494 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2-1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup raw pecans
- 1 pie crust, homemade or store-bought
Bourbon Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated. Add the maple syrup, bourbon, vanilla, and salt and mix until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. 3. Press your pie crust into an 8-9 inch pie plate. Pour the batter into the pie crust. Transfer to the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. It is OK if the pie is a little jiggly in the center. Let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature alongside the bourbon cream (below).
Bourbon Cream
- 1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Add the bourbon and maple syrup and whip until combined. Serve alongside the pie.
Here’s to Friday night pie making! Whoop, whoop.
Teighan this looks delish! Should we blind bake the crust?
Cannot wait to try!
Hey Sarah! No need to blind bake the crust. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this pie!
This is one of your prettiest recipes to date. I’ve lived in the south my entire life and never made pecan pie…I’m inspired!! It’s gorgeous!
Ah thank you so much Sara! Can’t believe you have never made one!! Hope you get to!
LOVE Derby pies and it’s not just because of being a Kentuckian gal through and through.
Been reading your recipes for months and Tieghan, you are truly inspirational! Keep it up!
Awh, thank you so much Ames!! So nice, glad you like it (:
Hi Tieghan! This looks sooooo good!! Any issues with baking this at altitude as written? I live at 7800′ and have had limited luck (so far) with pecan pie but I am determined to succeed. Love your blog and your photos are always stunning. Thanks!
Hey Ann! I am at 9,000 feet and have NO issues with this recipe. Just be sure to cook it for 55-60 minutes and it is OK if it’s a little giggly when the pie comes out. It will set as it cools. Let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love the pie!
I love derby pie! I like to go all out decorating, so I am setting up the buffet this weekend, my friends and I all throw $5.00 into a bucket and each bet on the winner, of course the person or persons that bet correctly get the money, makes it a little more fun, plus always good food.
Thanks Tammy! That sounds like so much fun betting on it!
I have never made on of these. Only 1/4 cup pecans??? I would think a cup at least.
Hey Charlotte! Thank you so much for catching that! It is 1/2 cup, but feel free to use 1 cup, that will be great! 🙂 Hope you love the pie!
YES!! I agree Tieghan…handed down recipes are the best ones. This pie looks so yum!
Yay, thanks Lindsay!
I think I need to make this pronto! And you’re the only other person I know who calls her grandma “Nonnie”! And we spell it the same as well!
Hope you love it Kathy! Ah someone else hwo has a “nonnie”! So cool!
That ‘B’ word. 🙂
It was Bacon….. everything is better with Bacon…NOW it is Bourbon !!
I even found a recipe with Bourbon in the cole slaw for pulled pork Sands. Yummo
Have not made a pecan pie for quite a while..so on the list for today.
Thank you!!
btw it snowed a tad overnight….again….sigh.
Also the photo did not print of the pie this time. it has been doing that lately, but not this morning.
SORRY! Photo is there now! Still getting used to adding it…just keep calling me out if it is not there! 🙂
Haha yes! Hope you love the pie! Thanks Leslie!
The check-out ladies at the grocery story will be all a-buzz today because I’ll be buying some bourbon as soon as the sun is up. Today is MIL’s birthday and I’m going to make this for her. I need pecans and chocolate chips, but that won’t be quite as noteworthy. And it just happens to be my wife’s favorite pie, so I’ll be a hit all around.
Sounds like a fun day! So perfect! Hope you love it!
Glorious!!
Gemma
http://www.fadedwindmills.com
Thanks Gemma!
This looks incredible, like pecan pie with a twist. Can’t wait to try it! I love family recipes; thanks for sharing one of yours.
Tieghan, this looks so delicious! And I love the swap of maple syrup. Yum!
Thanks so much Ramona!
Oh, yum. My mom made a version of this growing up, too! I haven’t had it in years (my brother in law is allergic to nuts and so we stopped making desserts with nuts when he’s around!) but I need to remedy that ASAP and try your version. It’s going to be hard to go eat toast for breakfast because this is literally alllll I can think about now… ?
Awh thats so funny! Yes it needs to be made again!! Hope you get to make it soon, thank you!
Oh my, it does look decadent!!! I’d gobble the whole of it for sure.
https://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt
Awh, thank you Ruth!