This Raw Chocolate Pecan Kentucky Derby Pie recipe is a delicious dessert! Serve this raw, plant-based recipe at your next party.
Talk Derby (Pie) To Me
Growing up in Kentucky, Derby was a big thing. The first Saturday of May is dedicated to a race of thoroughbred horses. These three year-olds sprint around the track at Churchill Downs in an exhilarating competition. The whole 1-1/4 miles is usually over in about 2 minutes, giving the event the tag “The most exciting 2 minutes in sports”.
However, most locals opt to watch the race at home. Rather than pay the high admission fees and deal with crowded bleachers, they throw big Derby parties. These parties will have much of the same gallantry of Churchill Downs: ladies in hats, men in polo shirts, and a few mint juleps in cold glasses. Just as no May is complete with the horses, no Derby party is complete without Derby Pie.
What is Derby Pie?
Traditional Kentucky Derby Pie was first created in the 1950’s. There’s a bit of controversy over who created the dessert, but one company, Kern’s Kitchen, claims to have originated it. Wherever you find it, Derby Pie is traditionally a mix of chocolate and nuts, baked in a flaky pie crust.
A Plant-Based Raw Derby Pie
My recipe for Kentucky Derby Pie keeps the same chocolate and nuts. However, I opt for the sweetness of pecans over traditional walnuts. Instead of butter, flour, and sugar, my recipe uses whole foods, plant-based ingredients like dates, cashews, and high-quality dark cocoa. You can press the raw pie into a big round pan. Or, make mini pie tartlets in muffin cups.
Chef Katie’s Plant-Based Baking Tips:
No Refined Sugar, Syrup, or Oil: I’m on a mission to get rid of empty calories. Refined cane sugar, maple syrup, and coconut oil are refined ingredients that are full of empty calories, leaving you hungry. This recipe uses whole ingredients like dates, walnuts, and cashews to give you fiber and other healthy nutrition.
Raw Ingredient Tip: For those following a strict Raw Diet, you’ll want to ensure all of the ingredients are raw. Double-check labels to ensure that the nuts, cashew butter, and cocoa powder are all labeled “Raw”
Dark Cocoa Powder: For the best flavor, use a high-quality dark baking cocoa powder. It’s worth investing in a product that has deep, rich flavor. This will make your chocolate baking more delicious.
Cashew Butter Tip: Ensure you’re using pure cashew butter, without extra oils or sweeteners. Simply double-check the ingredient label and make sure it says simply “cashews”. If you don’t have cashew butter, you can swap out for ½ cup raw cashews. You just might need to add 2-4 tablespoons more water during the mixing process.
Pie Decorating Tip: Whenever decorating something round like a pie or a cake, start first by making a star-shape (with 5 pecans) in the center of the pie. Then, work your way towards the edges, filling in the gaps with pecans. You’ll end up with a beautiful presentation every time!
Off-Set Spatula Easy Spreading: An off-set spatula is one of my favorite tools for spreading frostings and fillings. This little toll makes it easy to create an even layer and beautiful presentation.
Mini Pie Tart-lets: Portion this into a muffin tin, lined with parchment paper liners. You’ll get about 18 of these individual-sized tart-lets. Little Kentucky Derby Pie Tart-lets! Everyone will love this plant-based, gluten-free, oil-free dessert
Pecans are a healthy source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and monounsaturated fat 
This pie does better if it sits for a day in the fridge. The flavors come together and pie holds up better for slicing. You can even make it a few weeks in advance and freeze it. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. 
For a “single-serving” version of this recipe, spoon the crust and filling into Parchment muffin liners. Keep chilled until ready to enjoy. The perfect plate-free party food! 
Chocolate, Pecans, and layers of goodness. Now you’re ready to “Talk Derby!” 
Raw Chocolate Pecan Kentucky Derby Pie – Plant-Based, Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, No Refined Sugar or Syrup Dessert Recipe from Plants-Rule
Learn my Pastry Decorating Tip:
Raw Chocolate Pecan Kentucky Derby Pie
- Easy
- Servings: 12
- Ready In: 1 1/2 hours + 1 day (includes time to set)
- Yield: 1 (9-inch) pie
Raw Chocolate Pecan Kentucky Derby Pie
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup 4 oz pecans
- 1 cup 4 oz walnuts
- 1 cup 200g pitted dates
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1 ¼ cup 250g pitted dates
- ½ cup 2 oz pecan halves, divided
- 2 tablespoons 32g cashew butter (no added oils or sweeteners)
- ¼ cup 24g cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
To make the Raw Pecan Walnut Crust:
- Place the pecans, walnuts, dates, and salt in a food processor. Process until the mixture starts to get sticky, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times. Use your fingers to check the consistency. You want a mixture that sticks together well. If the mixture is crumbly, it is too dry. Drizzle in 2-4 tablespoons of water, as needed, to get this consistency. The amount of water you add depends mostly on how dry your dates were. Once you have a nice, sticky mixture, you’re ready.
- Line a 9-inch round pie tin with plastic wrap. Press the crust mixture into the pie tin, pressing the crust into a single layer, all the way to the edge of the pan. Cover the crust with another layer of plastic wrap. Use something heavy to weigh down the top. Place the crust in the freezer for 1 hour (or refrigerator for at least 2 hours), to set. You can make the filling during this time.
To make the Raw Chocolate Pecan Filling:
- In your food processor, combine the dates, ¼ cup of the pecans halves, and cashew butter. Puree until the dates and nuts have broken down into a crumbly mixture. Add the cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Puree to combine. Add in ½ cup of water. Puree to thoroughly combine, scraping down the bowl a few times, as needed. You might have a few little bits of nuts and dates, but, in general, a smooth consistency.
To Finish the Raw Chocolate Pecan Kentucky Derby Pie:
- Once your crust has set, remove the weight and top layer of plastic wrap. Spread the Raw Chocolate Pecan Filling on the crust, leaving about 1/4 -inch edge around the perimeter. Decorate the top of the pie with the remaining ¼ cup pecan halves. Re-cover the top with last wrap. Place back in the fridge and let set at least 8 hours before slices. Don’t worry, if you don’t feel like waiting, you can also slice and enjoy right away; the flavors just get better when they’re able to sit together for a day or two.
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie, or 18 little pie “tart-lets”
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/12 of a recipe (2.3 ounces).
Amount Per Serving
Calories 281.93
Calories From Fat (54%) 151.27
% Daily Value
- Total Fat 18.07g 28%
- Saturated Fat 1.87g 9%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 98.67mg 4%
- Potassium 375.58mg 11%
- Total Carbohydrates 31.89g 11%
- Fiber 5.69g 23%
- Sugar 23.25g
- Protein 4.44g 9%
- Calcium 0.44mg <1%
- Iron 40.84mg 227%
- Vitamin A 14.63IU <1%
- Vitamin C 0.07mg <1%
Shopping and Gear List
- 365 Everyday Value, Organic – Walnuts Halves & Pieces, 12 oz
- Made in Nature Organic Dried Dates, 32 oz – Non-GMO Vegan Dried Fruit Snack
- Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa, 8 Ounce
- Nature’s Eats Pecan Halves, 16 Ounce
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Thank you!!!! If you were/are in the area I’d invite you to the Derby Potluck! Have been eating raw vegan for 24 years and love it when I find a good recipe! Thanks again