Description

Kentucky Derby Bars are a decadent dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a rich filling of brown sugar, dark corn syrup, pecans, and semisweet chocolate chips. These bars deliver a perfect balance of sweetness and nutty crunch, baked to golden perfection for a festive and crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust

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

For the 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

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving extra foil over the sides for easy bar removal later. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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 crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the crust is lightly browned.
Prepare the Filling: Using the same large bowl, whisk together the firmly packed brown sugar, dark corn syrup, melted butter, and eggs until fully combined. Gently fold in the chopped pecans and semisweet chocolate chips so they are evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Assemble and Bake Bars: Pour the pecan and chocolate chip filling evenly over the baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the center is set and no longer jiggly to the touch.
Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature. For best results, refrigerate the bars once cooled slightly until they are firm.
Serve and Store: Use the foil overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

Ensure the crust is evenly pressed for a uniform base.
Do not overbake the bars to keep a moist, chewy center.
Chilling the bars after cooling improves slicing and texture.
Store bars in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
To serve, bring bars to room temperature for softer texture if refrigerated.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Kentucky Derby Bars, Pecan Bars, Chocolate Chip Bars, Southern Dessert, Nutty Bars, Sweet Dessert Bars