How I know my husband loves my baking

This is an unusual time of year to post a recipe for Kentucky Derby Pie, but I like being ahead of the crowd (or behind the crowd, depending on how you look at it).  It’s another one of those recipes that my Dad copied down while listening to WJR radio when I was a kid, and it was one of my favourites when I was growing up.

Kentucky Derby Pie is now one of my own family’s favourites, and I don’t limit it to May.  It’s especially good on the second day when the chocolate has had a chance to set.  On the first day it’s tasty but still quite runny, and wouldn’t photograph well at all.

So here was the plan.  I knew I couldn’t get my family to ignore the pie for a whole day, so I told them at dinner that we’d eat half the pie that night, then I’d let the rest sit in the fridge so I could photograph it the following day.

I thought I had full agreement.  But apparently the enthusiastic nods I received were in response to the first half of my sentence. 

I came downstairs the next morning to find that a KDP fan had been eating away at the pie.  But not in the regular way, where someone trims off a slice from one side.  No, he (for we all knew who the culprit was) had scooped pie out of the middle somewhat in the shape of an oversized doughnut hole.  I was left with a narrow rim of pie to photograph.

The girls shared my dismay:

Daughter #1:  Dad!  Mom told you she wanted to take a picture for her blog!

Culprit:  Mmmmm.  I don’t think she said anything to me.

Daughter #2:  Dad!  We were all at the dinner table when she told us.

Culprit:  Hmmmm.  Are you sure I was there?

Present me with a challenge and I will solve it.  Ergo, the following photo:

Notice the three narrow strips of pie shaped together to simulate a single, regular-shaped piece.

Even more beautiful when the cracks are hidden by ice cream:

And indeed, the pie did taste fabulous the second day – what was left of it.

Kentucky Derby Pie

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup melted butter, slightly cooled
2 tsp vanilla
one pie shell (use your favorite recipe)

Combine eggs, sugar, flour, chocolate chips, pecans, butter and vanilla.  Pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.  Cool for at least four hours before eating, preferably overnight.