Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie for Derby Day
- 4 Eggs
- 1 Cup Sugar (1/2 white, 1/2 brown)
*It’s not the end of the world if you only have one kind of sugar, but I’ve found this to be the BEST sugar ratio - 1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 6 oz Pecan Halves or Pieces (Halves are prettier, but I usually go with pieces because it’s easier to slice through)
- 1 Cup Corn Syrup
- 1 Stick Melted Butter
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 2 Frozen Pie Shells (I use deep dish, so there’s no chance of spilling over into the oven)
- Preheat the oven to 350. In a medium glass mixing bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Use your hand mixer to beat in the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Just add everything but the chocolate chips and nuts because you don’t want those to get mutilated by the beater.
. - Add the chocolate chips and pecans to the bottom of each pie shell, and then pour half of the filling mixture over top. (Don’t worry, they pecans will rise to the top once they start baking.) You could always mix the chocolate chips and pecans into the filling before adding it to the pie shells, but I always wait and add them last so I can make sure that each pie gets it’s fair amount of chocolate.
. - Put them in the oven for 45 minutes. Move them to the bottom rack about halfway through so the top edge of the crust won’t get too crispy. (You could also rip off a thin strip of foil and lightly cover just the crust with it – but in my experience, that’s more trouble than the results warrant.)
. - At the end of the baking time, open the oven and jiggle the rack a little. The center of the pies should have just the slightest wiggle, too much wiggle and you’ll want to leave them in for an extra 10 or 15 minutes. My oven cooks unevenly, so this is my tried and true method of doneness 😉
You can serve these right away, but the center will likely run out onto your plate. From which you can lick it all off and be a happy camper. However, if you just let it cool and transfer it to the fridge for a couple of hours – that’s when it gets REALLY good. A thick fudgy consistency is how God intended. I like to make my pies the night before the big event and keep them in the fridge covered with foil. A scoop of ice cream on the side never hurt anybody either.
Also, note that this recipe makes two pies that will be a little more shallow than some other recipes. It solves the problem of the center sometimes not getting done all the way, while the pecans turn black. **If you like a super-deep-dish pie, you can always throw all these ingredients into one deep dish pie shell. If you do that, make sure to put it on a cookie sheet to catch the spillover, and you’ll want to lower the oven temp to 325.
Enjoy and Happy Derby Day!
Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie for Derby Day
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 1 Cup Sugar 1/2 white, 1/2 brown
- *It's not the end of the world if you only have one kind of sugar but I've found this to be the BEST sugar ratio
- 1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 6 oz Pecan Halves or Pieces Halves are prettier, but I usually go with pieces because it's easier to slice through
- 1 Cup Corn Syrup
- 1 Stick Melted Butter
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 2 Frozen Pie Shells I use deep dish, so there's no chance of spilling over into the oven
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. In a medium glass mixing bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.
- Use your hand mixer to beat in the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, vanilla and salt.
- Add the chocolate chips and pecans to the bottom of each pie shell, and then pour half of the filling mixture over top of each pie.
- Bake for 45 minutes.
- Move them to the bottom rack about halfway through so the top edge of the crust won't get too crispy.
- If not done, bake an extra 10 minutes.
- Let it cool and serve, best served cold!
Shafiuddin says
Excellent Recipe,Going to try this and will let you know how it taste 🙂
Jamie says
Would love to hear how it turns out for you!
Shasta says
Question if I wanted to only make 1 pie would just cutting all ingredients in half work.
Jamie says
Shasta – yes it should! I just have always done it this way with the 3 eggs, so there would be plenty. 🙂
Jennifer says
My grandmother made hers very similar to this, but it had bourbon in it. Going to try making this recipe but adding some bourbon.
Peggy says
I want to add the bourbon to this recipe (my Ky memories). How much should I use and when would I add?
Jamie says
I would add bourbon and leave out a little corn syrup – so if you add a couple tbsp bourbon, lessen the syrup by a couple tablespoons 🙂 Oh – found this, she says 1/4 up – Hope that helps! https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-bourbon-pecan-pie
Debbie says
I’ve had success with the dark Agave instead of the corn syrup. I also add 2 tablespoons of bourbon. No one really knows so I say nothing!
Jamie says
Great to know Debbie – thanks so much for sharing!
Jillian says
Do you thaw your pie shells first or leave them frozen?
Jamie Miles says
I leave them frozen 🙂
Susan Sheppard Hedges says
Hi, Jamie! I just found this! Should the syrup be light or dark? I always use Karo in my pecan pies and like the light, but if it should be dark, I’ll try it at least once! 😉
Jamie Miles says
I’ve done BOTH Susan – this year I did light – but in the past sometimes I just had dark on hand. Both of them turn out WONDERFUL!
Fix Your Skin says
Love this pie 🙂 thanks for sharing 🙂 It looks awesome!
Britney says
Hi Jamie! I’m a Lexington, KY girl and love your recipe. Do you know how many days in advance I can bake this pie? I’m hoping it’ll hold up 4 days in advance for my Derby party this weekend.
Jamie Miles says
Britney – I would say it will be okay up to 4 days in advance – but maybe wrap it tightly in tin foil (like protect the crust from getting grossly stale) and keep in the fridge. Then set out for guests the day of! Good luck – and bet on the grey!
Joy says
Since this makes two pies, does that mean you put half a cup of chocolate chips in each pie and 3 oz of pecan halves in each pie – or is it the full amount for each?
Jamie Miles says
Yes Joy – half in each. But I don’t measure exactly into each pie – I just eyeball it 🙂
Cari says
How big are the two pie shells you use? Can’t wait to try this pie!
Jamie Miles says
Cari they’re the deep dish kind 🙂 Good luck, I hope it turns out great!
Jessica says
I just threw mine in the oven. I used deep dish crust like it says and it only made one.
Mary Ann Allen says
Made it for my 19 year old son for Thanksgiving because he doesn’t like pumpkin pie! Asked him what kind he wanted and he said Derby Pie. Love your recipe! Thanks. He adored it and he isn’t easy to please when it comes to dessert.
Mary Ann Allen says
Oh and i chopped the pecans small. So much easier to cut
Kasey says
Awesome!
Kasey says
Fantastic!
Susan J says
I have been searching for this recipe. They use to serve this at a hotel where I worked in Cincinnati. This is hands down, best pie ever! Have 2 in the oven as we speak! Susan and Rick thank you!!!
Kasey says
So glad you enjoyed it so much!
Jackie says
I just made this up today to bring with dinner to a friend recouping from surgery. I am pleased as punch that the recipe makes two pies so I could keep one. I just polished off a thoroughly delicious slice and wish I could eat the whole pie! 5 out of 5 stars on that recipe!
One question…do the leftover need to be refrigerated?
Jamie Miles says
Jackie it’s probably best not to leave it out because it does contain butter and eggs…. but having said that I have left one of them out overnight almost every time and never died 😉
Jamie Miles says
AND – I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for the kind comment!
Nikki McDowell says
Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! I have wondered what the name of this pie was for years!! When I was about 18 or 19 I worked in a restaurant and this was my favorite pie of all time! I couldn’t remember the name so I didn’t know how to look for it. As soon as I saw the name here, it all came flooding back! I think they did put some kind of alcohol in it but I am not sure. I just put it in the oven and I cannot wait to try it! Thank you thank you thank you!
Janet says
Can I freeze the pie for like 2 days
Jamie Miles says
I’m sure you could Janet!
Hillary says
Have you ever tried to make these in cupcake tins to make mini pies? I’d like to make for a potluck at work and feel like this could make serving easier. Thanks!
Jamie Miles says
I haven’t tried that Hillary – but it sounds like it would be delicious! You’d have to do a different kind of pie crust though 🙂
Kaylee says
Can you use grahm cracker crusts instead?
Kasey says
I’ve only tried as is. Let me know how it turns out though!
Gigi says
Here goes! I am not a pumpkin pie fan, and this sounds like a yummy substitute. Having an early Thanksgiving tomorrow – looking forward to testing out your recipe!
Kasey says
Hope it turned out great!
Azel 40 says
Lovely pie..thanks for your great list of recipes..
Rose Sampson says
How would you bake the pie with a confection oven?
Kasey says
Hey, Rose, I haven’t tried baking this in a convection oven. It will cook faster and hotter than a normal over so keep an eye on it.
Treasure Philligin says
Very easy to make! I have a deep dish pie pan and this recipe was the perfect amount to fit into the pie pan. It was absolutely phenomenal. My husband and kids loved every bite and I certainly had my fair share as well! Thank you so much!
Kasey says
Glad you all enjoyed!!
Joanie says
Made this for a church bake sale, where we served pie by the slice. I doubled this recipe to make 3 pies. Added bourbon. Big hit!
.Kasey says
Glad the pies were a hit.
Elaina says
My aunt made a Kentucky Derby Pie a few years ago and my husband loves it so this year I’m going to try this recipe. Wish me luck…..
.Kasey says
Trust your hubby will love it!