Derby Pie Bars

Alright, lets get the puns out of the way.

Talk derby to me.

Get down and derby.

Time to get derby.

Well, that's all I've got for now… let me know if you've got more you would like me to add!

Anyways, moving on from those shenanigans, this weekend, well tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby! Some year I would like to go, wearing an especially extravagant hat, but this is not the year. Instead, I will be participating in my college's "spring weekend" of sorts, that will be story for another time. Back to the Derby, there is some famous concoction associated with the derby, known as Derby Pie. I have never had it, but it is supposed to be incredible! In celebration of the Derby, I decided to make some Derby Pie Bars because, to be completely honest, I am way too lazy to fuss with a pie crust and these sounded way easier! 

These bars consist of a shortbread crust topped with a mixture of pecans, chocolate chips, bourbon and lots of butter! All good things! Right? 

Get out finest big hat! Sip on your mint juleps! Make these bars to munch on while you watch! And get ready to talk derby! 

Derby Pie Bars

Ingredients:

Shortbread Crust:

¼ cup powdered sugar

1 cup flour

pinch salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Filling:

¾ cup (1 and ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 ½ cups sugar

3 eggs

¾ cup flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups chocolate chips

1 ½ cups chopped pecans

Directions:

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13 x 9 inch pan with non-stick spray.

2.    In the bowl of a large capacity food processor, pulse powdered sugar, flour and salt until combined. Add half of cubed butter, pulse 10 times. Add the rest of the cubed butter, processing for 30 seconds and then pulsing until it resembles cornmeal.

3.    Transfer mixture to prepared pan, pat into bottom of the pan, pressing firmly. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown.

4.    Meanwhile, make the filling in the same food processor bowl. Combine butter and sugar, processing until light and fluffy, 30 to 45 seconds. Add in the eggs, flour, salt, bourbon and vanilla. Process until thoroughly mixed, about 30 seconds, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Transfer filling to a large bowl, stir in chocolate chips and pecans.

5.    When crust is ready, pour filling on top and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and not jiggly. Cool bars for at least 30 minutes.

Recipe Adapted from The Kitchn

Print Recipe Here