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Kentucky Derby Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 62 reviews

Kentucky Derby Bars are a decadent, nutty dessert bar featuring a buttery crust topped with a rich, gooey filling of brown sugar, dark corn syrup, pecans, and semisweet chocolate chips. Perfectly baked to a golden finish and chilled for a firm texture, these bars combine sweet and nutty flavors in every bite, making them an ideal treat for celebrations or everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Filling

  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing excess to hang over the sides, and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, confectioners’ sugar, and salt. Use a pastry blender or fork to cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a sandy texture. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the crust is lightly browned.
  3. Prepare the Filling: Using the same large bowl, whisk together the firmly packed brown sugar, dark corn syrup, melted butter, and eggs until well combined. Gently fold in the chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate chips to incorporate evenly into the filling.
  4. Assemble and Bake Bars: Pour the pecan and chocolate chip filling evenly over the partially baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer jiggly.
  5. Cool and Chill: Remove the baked bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. For best results, chill the bars in the refrigerator once they have cooled slightly, until they are firm to the touch.
  6. Serve and Store: Lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang as handles. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter for the crust is softened to make cutting it into the flour mixture easier and to achieve a tender crust.
  • Using dark corn syrup provides a deeper, richer flavor to the filling compared to light corn syrup.
  • Chilling the bars after baking helps them firm up for cleaner cuts and better texture.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature if consuming within 1-2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • To toast the pecans for extra flavor, lightly roast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes before adding to the filling.

Keywords: Kentucky Derby bars, pecan bars, chocolate chip bars, dessert bars, nutty dessert, baked bars, gooey bars, Southern dessert

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