Time to Bake My Unofficial Kentucky Derby Pie!
Truly not a surprise; the first edible pie I made as a young bride in the Bluegrass was one that was first made in Kentucky. It was created in 1950 at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky. The restaurant’s owners, Walter and Leaudra Kern, created this pie with help from their son George Kern. The name “Derby pie” was chosen because all the family members who helped wanted to name this delicious pie. All suggestions were put into a hat, and the slip selected said “Derby pie.”Not only is the name “Derby pie,” it is a registered trademark of Kern’s Kitchen. The recipe is top secret, known only to a small group of Kern family members and a single Kern’s Kitchen employee who still mixes the recipe today.
My recipe is not the official Derby pie recipe, but it never fails to be a hit in our house as well as church potlucks and holiday gatherings.
This pie is always a tradition in our house to enjoy the night before Derby on Friday Movie Night with a horse movie theme. I always made two, so plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day with Derby.
My favorite horse-themed film is Dreamer. I love the fact that most of it was filmed in Kentucky as well as falling in love with Kris Kristofferson when I was a little girl. Another favorite horse movie shot in Kentucky is Secretariat. Hope to watch Seabiscuit one day. First, I need to read the book.
What was your first pie to bake? What is your favorite horse book or movie?
Kentucky Derby Day Pie
This was the first pie this Kentucky girl made as a new bride in 1987. So easy that my children can make it too.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time55 mins
