Kentucky Derby Bourbon Chocolate Pie: name changed to protect the guilty

What else is traditional chocolate fare for the Kentucky Derby? Derby Pie, what else? Of course, I've changed the name to protect???whom?? What's in a name. So here you have it.

Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Pie has been served at the annual Derby Horse Race for over 50 years. It was a special recipe that was first made at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky. Here's my easy recipe. Makes 1 Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Pie*

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar (1/2 brown/1/2 white)
  
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2-4 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon (it's a matter of taste)
  
• 1 cup chopped English walnuts (you can vary this by using pecans)
  
• 1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 1 - 9 " deep-dish pie shell (pre-made crust or roll on your own)
  

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix flour and sugar. Add the eggs and melted butter; mix to combine. Stir in the bourbon, walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt. Pour mixture an unbaked piecrust. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Pie should be chewy but not runny.

* Note: You can't legally call it a "Derby Pie" recipe. The name "Derby Pie" is trademarked, and the owners of the name are very aggressive protecting the name "Derby Pie."

There have been many modifications over the years, but the most important thing is to use Kentucky Bourbon.

Another variation: don't add the chocolate chips to the mix: Arrange them on the bottom of the unbaked pie shell. Pour over the chocolate chips and bake.

Similar recipes to the one above are sometimes called Brownie Pie or Tollhouse Pie, but it's really Derby Pie.

And, my friend Janet Appel sent her personal recipe. Leave it to someone from Kentucky to have the 'real' thing.

BOURBON CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE
(Originally called Derby Pie)

FROM ENTERTAINING THE LOUISVILLE WAY-QUEEN’S DAUGHTERS 1969

1 stick melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup white corn syrup
4 eggs beaten
1 tablespoon Wild Turkey Bourbon
1 cup whole pecans
½ cup chocolate chips

1-9 or 10 inch unbaked pie shell

Mix the above ingredients and pour into the pie shell. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until fairly firm at 350 degrees. Let cool and set up before serving. Garnish with sweetened whipped cream. Serves 6 to 8.

Notes: We soak the pecans in bourbon over night and use a jigger of bourbon. We still add the tablespoon of bourbon to the mixture. White corn syrup is Karo.

Have a Great Derby Day! Be sure and bet on Chocolate Candy!

The photo is not mine. Apologies. It looks a lot like Derby, sorry, Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Pie....