Mini Derby Pies

Have y'all ever heard of Derby Pie? It's a famous dessert that made at the Kentucky Derby. So, when we were planning our menu for the Carolina Cup, I knew that I had to make this pie. However, I obviously couldn't make a regular sized pie because then we would need plates, forks, etc. So I made Mini Derby Pies that everyone could easily enjoy in just one little bite. What is Derby Pie you ask? Derby Pie is a version of Pecan Pie, except for they use walnuts, chocolate chips, and bourbon. I actually have my recipe for Perfect Bourbon-Chocolate Chunk-Pecan Pie that I absolutely love, that was super easy to adapt. All I have to do was substitute some finely chopped, roasted walnuts. Well, the mini pies were the perfect little dessert to grab & go as we were partying. These would be great for a party, tailgate, or even for a picnic!! Enjoy :)

Mini Derby Pies with Roasted Walnuts, Mini Chocolate Chips, & Bourbon

For the Mini Derby Pies:

Store-Bought Pie Crust (two rounds)

1C Sugar

2T Brown Sugar

½t Salt

1C Light Brown Syrup

1t Vanilla

½C Browned Butter, Melted & Slightly Cooled

3 Whole Eggs, Beaten

1 ½C Roasted Walnuts, Finely Chopped

½C Mini Chocolate Chips   

2T Bourbon

Directions:

1. Using a small cookie cutter, cut the store-bought pizza crust to fit the size of the mini cupcake tins (I usually use a cookie cutter that is about ½-1inch larger because the crust shrinks when it bakes).

2. To Make the Derby Pies: Mix together the sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, browned butter, eggs, vanilla, and bourbon until smooth. Place 1T of chopped walnuts into the prepared piecrusts, and then 1t of mini chocolate chips on top of the walnuts. Slowly pour the liquid mixture over the top of the walnuts.

3. Bake the pie at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, rotating halfway through the cook time. The pie should be slightly jiggly when you remove it from the oven.

4. Allow to cool for several hours or overnight.