Mini bourbon caramel Derby pies filled with bourbon caramel chocolate and toasted pecans topped with bourbon whipped cream.
This post was created in partnership with Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. All opinions are my own.
Kentucky Derby is more than a horse race. Two things come to mind: elaborate outfits and bourbon! Once you’d had your fill of mint julep, you’re going to need a sweet snack. These mini Kentucky Derby pies come into play!
Mini Kentucky Derby Pies
Say hello to these cute and tasty mini derby pies! They’re my take on pecan pie with the added punch of chocolate and caramel. These mini pies feature Ghirardelli’s newest flavor: dark chocolate bourbon caramel squares.
Derby pies are traditionally made with a butter pie crust filled with a sweet mixture of chocolate and nuts (either walnuts or pecans). It is a very popular dessert during Derby season. It is quite similar in flavor and texture to pecan pie.
This recipe makes 8 individual four-inch pies using these tin-plated pans.
I prefer to serve mini pies for parties and celebrations. If you happen to have any leftovers, it is much easier to box up and send home with guests!
Other Chocolate Options
I’m a sucker for all things bourbon and these bourbon caramel squares don’t disappoint. While these chocolate squares don’t actually contain alcohol, the natural sweet flavor of bourbon does shine through the luscious caramel filling.
Not a fan of bourbon? There are several other Ghirardelli chocolate square options you can substitute in like milk chocolate caramel or dark chocolate sea salt caramel.
Serving Suggestions
In my opinion, the hardest part about pie making is waiting for it to cool after baking. Allow these mini derby pies to cool to room temperature before serving. The filling needs time to set up.
Once it’s time to serve, these mini pies get a dollop of bourbon spiked whipped cream and a chocolate bourbon caramel square on top for the finishing touch!
Since these mini derby pies can be made in advance, you’ll have plenty of time to relax with a mint julep before guests arrive. That is definitely a win-win!
More Recipes Using Ghirardelli Chocolates
Mini Bourbon Caramel Derby Pies
Ingredients
Pie Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, (390 g)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, (227 g), sliced into tablespoons, cold
- 5 Tablespoon ice cold water
Chocolate Pecan Filling:
- 8 pieces Ghirardelli dark chocolate bourbon caramel squares*, , chopped
- 1 cup lightly toasted pecans,, (120 g) roughly chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar, (200 g)
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, (14 g)
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, (135 g), packed
- 1 cup light corn syrup, (312 g)
- 6 large eggs,, lightly whisked
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, , (56 g), melted, slightly cooled
- additional pecans, for topping pie as needed
Bourbon Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream, (227 g), cold
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar, (25 g)
- 1 Tablespoon bourbon
Instructions
Pie Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar. Add cold butter pieces. Using a pastry blender or fork, cut the butter into the flour until mixture resembles coarse sand.
- Add ice cold water and use a spatula to fold mixture together. Do not over mix. Dough will be rather dry and crumbly.
- Dump shaggy dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently knead dough until it sticks together. Divide dough into two equal parts. Shape into flat disks about 1-inch thick. Wrap the two disks in plastic wrap and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour up to 2 days.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove pie dough from fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes.
- Working with one disk at a time, place dough on a lightly floured work surface. Roll dough to a thickness of about 1/8-inch. Place upside down 4-inch pie tins over rolled dough. Cut out rounds, allowing a clearance of about 1 1/2-inches from pie tin.
- Transfer cut out rounds onto mini pie tins. Crimp, flute, or decorate the edges of the pie as desired. Chill dough in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking.
- Line each pie with a small piece of parchment paper and fill with weights (or beans). Partially blind bake pie crust for 13-15 minutes until it is a pale golden color. Remove parchment and weights and return pie crusts to oven for another 3 minutes. Remove from oven and allow pie crusts to cool while you prepare filling.
Chocolate Pecan Filling:
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Set aside chopped chocolate squares and pecans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and whisked eggs. Mix until combined. Add salt, vanilla, and melted butter. Continue to whisk together until mixture is smooth.
- Distribute reserved chopped chocolate and pecans among cooled pie crusts. Gently pour about 1/2 cup of filling over chocolate pecan mixture. Pieces of the chocolate and pecans may float to the top. Arrange additional pecans over the filling as desired.
- Bake pies for 40 minutes until pecans on top are toasted and filling is boiling. Remove from oven. Cool pies in their tins.
- Once cooled, unmold pie from tin. Serve pies at room temperature with a dollop of bourbon whipped cream and a roughly chopped Ghirardelli square. Drizzle caramel, if desired.
Bourbon Whipped Cream:
- In a large chilled bowl, combine cold whipped cream, powdered sugar, and bourbon. Use a hand mixer to whip the cream to soft, fluffy peaks. Cover with plastic wrap and keep chilled until ready to use.
Notes
- Mini pies can be baked ahead of time. Allow to cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days before serving. Serve pies at room temperature.
- I used these nonstick 4-inch mini pie pans. Recipe can also be used to make two standard 9-inch pies.
- If using store-bought refrigerated pie crusts, follow package directions for par-baking crusts. You will need enough dough for a standard 9-inch double crust pie.
- This recipe also works well with a variety of Ghirardelli squares: milk chocolate caramel, dark chocolate sea salt caramel, dark chocolate 60%
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Can you add bourbon to the pie filling
Yes! You can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of bourbon to the filling in step 2.
Such perfect little pies! I want to go to a Derby party!!!
I’m heading to a Derby party and didn’t want to take the same old thing. Problem solved!
These little pies are calling my name, but I would be too tempted to eat the candy straight from the bag! :)
I’ll take two please! These look outrageous!
I know mini treats are supposed to help with portion control but these look so yummy, I would want to eat them all!