Not too far from downtown Louisville, Kentucky was restaurant called the The Melrose Inn. Sadly, it closed doors in 2000, but was the home of the quintessential Derby-Pie®, a delectable desert forever entrenched in Kentucky Derby traditions for thousands.
Fortunately for many, this pie is still available online and at area markets: http://www.derbypie.com.
While the traditional Derby Pie is a copyrighted recipe, it is possible to serve a variation of this chocolate and walnut tart, commonly made with pecans, chocolate chips and Kentucky bourbon. Some like to add butterscotch and caramel. Below is my version and a family favorite.
Chocolate Pecan Pie
9" pie shell, edges crimped
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips
Mix dry ingredients. Slowly add wet ingredients; eggs, vanilla, butter and corn syrup. Incorporate chocolate chips and pecans and pour into pie shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, or until filling is set.
Cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
