Guiltless Kentucky Derby Pie

This month, over at Style Blue Print, I shared a family recipe straight from my Southern roots.

I’m a Kentucky girl through and through. Unfortunately, I can’t make it back this weekend for the Kentucky Derby but that doesn’t mean we can’t cook up some traditional Southern dishes to celebrate!

Throwback to the Kentucky Derby in 2008

I instantly grabbed my family cookbook from back home in Kentucky, “Coming Home: Recipes From The Heart.” Yes, my family loves food! My Aunt, Emilie Mills Keeling, came up with the idea of printing a cookbook and gathered all the recipes together. She organized them and typed the initial draft of the cookbook. Bless her heart! I’m so grateful that I can have these recipes to pass on and enjoy these yummy dishes with my family.

I love making skinny versions of my favorite comfort foods so I decided to start with my Aunt Sally’s Kentucky Derby Pie. I’m OB-sessed with this derby staple! The funny thing about Aunt Sally is that even though she was the best baker, she was also always trying to lose weight. I still have memories of her setting up in her kitchen a 5-pound bag of sugar for every 5 pounds she lost. She would have loved to have a guilt-free version to bake, too!

Here’s the recipe for Aunt Sally’s original Kentucky classic:

Aunt Sally’s Kentucky Derby Pie

Ingredients:

Mix Together:

• ½ cup cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white corn syrup
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cup pecans
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Directions:

• Beat eggs and add corn syrup, then add to sugar and flour mixture.
• Add butter, vanilla, pecans, and chocolate chips.
• Pour into unbaked crust and bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until done in center.

Okay, so even though this is literally HEAVEN ON EARTH, it’s jam-packed full of calories. Here’s how I baked a pie with less guilt but just as much flavor:

Molly’s Guilt Free Kentucky Derby Pie:

(gluten free, egg free & dairy free)

Ingredients:

Mix Together:

• ½ cup raw brown sugar
• ¼ cup rice flour
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
• 3 flax seed egg substitutes (mix 1 tbsp of flax seed meal + 2.5 tbsp of water per egg needed)
• 1 cup agave nectar
• ¼ cup ghee, softened
• 1 ¼ cup pecans
• ½ cup cacao nibs

Directions:

• Mix water and flax seed meal to create egg substitute. Let sit for 5-10 minutes to fully thicken.
• Add agave nectar, raw sugar/ rice flour mixture to bowl.
• Add ghee, vanilla, pecans, and cacao nibs.
• Pour into unbaked crust and bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until done in center.

Even though nothing will ever compare to my Aunt Sally’s cookin’, this will have to do. And trust me, not only is it a bit healthier but it’s delicious…and perfect for this weekend!

For other Southern inspiration, head on over to Style Blue Print for more.