Description
Kentucky Derby Bars are a rich and decadent dessert bar featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey, nutty filling packed with chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate chips. These bars offer the perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors and a delightful mix of textures, making them an ideal treat for parties, potlucks, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup dark corn syrup
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (to mix with the filling)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, confectioners’ sugar, and salt until combined. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture is crumbly and holds together when pressed.
- Bake the crust: Press the crumbly crust mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.
- Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, dark corn syrup, melted butter, and eggs until smooth and well combined. Stir in the chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate chips.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the filling mixture evenly over the baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is set but slightly soft in the center.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the foil and cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts for the pecans if desired.
- Make sure not to overbake the filling to keep bars soft and gooey inside.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Kentucky Derby Bars, pecan bars, chocolate chip bars, nutty dessert bars, Southern dessert, gooey bars, easy dessert recipe
