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Kentucky Derby Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 104 reviews

Kentucky Derby Bars are a rich and decadent dessert bar featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey mixture of brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, pecans, and semisweet chocolate chips. These bars offer a perfect balance of crunchy nuts and sweet chocolate, making them an irresistible treat perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a delightful homemade snack.

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
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, confectioners’ sugar, and salt. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture becomes crumbly, resembling coarse crumbs.
  3. 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.
  4. Prepare the filling: In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, dark corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, chopped pecans, and semisweet chocolate chips. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
  5. Add filling to crust and bake: Pour the prepared filling 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 still slightly soft in the center.
  6. Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. After cooling, cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter for the crust is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect crumbly texture.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to avoid them falling apart.
  • For easier removal, use the edges of the foil to lift the bars out of the pan.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Optionally, toast the pecans before adding for enhanced nutty flavor.

Keywords: Kentucky Derby Bars, pecan bars, chocolate pecan bars, dessert bars, Southern desserts

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/kentucky-derby-bars-recipe/