Derby Pie-Inspired Chocolate Pecan Tart
A rich tart featuring a buttery crust filled with a gooey chocolate and pecan custard, inspired by Kentucky’s famous Derby Pie dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cold water into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsp (1 stick), cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup, roughly chopped pecan halves
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: To make the crust, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt in a food processor. Add 8 tbsp cold, cubed unsalted butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Gradually add 3 tbsp cold water and pulse until dough just comes together. Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart pan. Press dough into pan and trim edges.
- Step 4: Blind bake the crust for 15 minutes with parchment paper and pie weights. Remove weights and bake 5 minutes more until light golden.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 1 cup roughly chopped pecan halves.
- Step 7: Pour filling into the pre-baked crust and bake for 25-30 minutes until the custard is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Step 8: Cool the tart for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow the filling to firm up.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Derby Pie-Inspired Chocolate Pecan Tart take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (40 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Derby Pie-Inspired Chocolate Pecan Tart?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Derby Pie-Inspired Chocolate Pecan Tart?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Derby Pie-Inspired Chocolate Pecan Tart for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Derby Pie-Inspired Chocolate Pecan Tart?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
