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Perfect Derby Pie Bars Recipe with Chocolate Chips and Bourbon

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These Derby Pie Bars combine a buttery crust with gooey chocolate chips, crunchy nuts, and a warm splash of Kentucky bourbon for a rich, comforting dessert perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • Optional: pinch of espresso powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the batter is smooth and glossy.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Stir in the bourbon, vanilla extract, and if using, the espresso powder.
  6. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
  7. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. The center should remain slightly gooey.
  9. Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.
  10. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Use softened but not melted butter for best texture. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars gooey in the center. Let bars cool completely before cutting for clean slices. Tent with foil if browning too fast. Chilling bars briefly after cooling helps with cutting. Substitute gluten-free flour for gluten-free version and omit nuts for nut-free version. Bourbon is key for flavor but can be substituted with vanilla extract plus water or milk for low-alcohol version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Derby Pie Bars, chocolate chip bars, bourbon dessert, Kentucky dessert, nutty chocolate bars, easy dessert bars, Southern dessert

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