These luscious Derby Day Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookie Bars is the perfect bite size, easy to serve treat for your Derby Day party guests.
Since my son’s birthday is May 5th we usually have a combined theme party depending on what day family come over to celebrate. The first week of May also celebrates Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby, which is always held the first Saturday in May.
When Ethan was younger we would combine his birthday with these themes. Now that he is turning 18 I doubt if we will even see him on his birthday. Such is life!
We live about 90 minutes from Louisville, Ky and since my wife’s family lived in Louisville, for a few years, they really know how to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. Over the years I have created a couple of recipes to celebrate the day.
I created these Derby Day Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookie Bars to make it easier to serve guests all the flavors of the famous pie with the same name as the Derby. I also created a derby day truffle using a chocolate pecan pie and a unique crock pot overnight oatmeal for your guest to have for breakfast before the Derby.
This Derby Day Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookie Bars recipe is a great addition to serve your guests Derby weekend or just another awesome treat for your next party. Here is a little history about the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby History Alternatively referred to as “The Run for the Roses” or “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is a 1.25 mile race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. The Kentucky Derby draws an average of 150,000 visitors each year, including residents, out-of-towners, celebrities, presidents, and even members of royal families.Kentucky Derby History:The first Kentucky Derby race occurred in 1875. Close to 10,000 people watched as 15 thoroughbred horses ran what was then a 1.5 mile course. In 1876, the length of the race was changed to 1.25 miles. By the early 1900s, owners of winning Kentucky Derby horses started sending their winners to run in the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York. In 1930, sportswriter Charles Hatton coined the term “Triple Crown” in reference to the same horses running the three races consecutively. Courtesy of Kentucky Derby Facts and History from about.com
Follow me on Facebook – Pinterest – Twitter – Google + – Instagram
These Derby Day Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookie Bars are really easy to make. Check out my video above for the techniques on find it on my YouTube Channel DadWhats4Dinner!
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp, baking soda
- 3/4 tsp, salt
- 1 cup Unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp, pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups mixed semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups chopped toasted pecans, divided
- 1 cup semis-weet chocolate morsels
- 1 cup dark corn syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon or water
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 tsp, cornstarch
- 2 tsp, vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp, table salt
- (Optional) Whipped topping and shaved chocolate for serving.
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F, with rack in center. Line a 11-by-15-inch baking dish with parchment paper along the sides to overlap the rim. Butter or grease parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars together in the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs, one at a time and then vanilla; mix until well combined.
Slowly add flour mixture; beat on low-speed until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips and 1/2 cup toasted pecans.
- Spread dough on prepared baking dish. Roll to flatten. Use hands to create a 1/2 rim of dough around the edges to create a vessel for the filling: set aside.
- Stir together corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients.
- Slowly whisk one-fourth of hot corn syrup mixture into egg mixture to temper.
- Slowly add egg mixture to remaining hot corn syrup, whisking constantly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then add chocolate chips and pecans.
- Pour filling into prepared cookie bar crust.
- Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes, rotating dish halfway through, until edges are brown and pie filling is set.
- Cool cookie bars completely on a wire rack before slicing.
First published by Quinn Caudill for DadWhats4Dinner.com ©2017
You might also like my:
Slow Cooker Overnight Derby Pie Oatmeal Recipe
Derby Day Truffles with Candied Bourbon Pecans
lavonnia1978 says
You had me at cookie, brownies and all of the yummy things involved. I have saved that to Yumm.
Quinn Caudill says
Thanks for sharing!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
I think I could eat a whole pan of these bars! Delicious!
Quinn Caudill says
They are a little dangerous! Thanks for stopping by!
Kate says
These look and sound delicious. I love desserts that feature pecans!
Quinn Caudill says
Thanks Kate!
simplyelliott says
forget about derby day, I need these in my life NOW!
Quinn Caudill says
Yeah I think I might need to change the name because these will be great all year long.
Elaine @ foodbod says
Thank you for educating me about the Kentucky Derby, I’d heard of it, but didn’t know anything about it! I hope everyone enjoys the day and your cookie bars – thank you for bringing them to this week’s Fiesta Friday 🙂
Quinn Caudill says
It is really a week long celebration in Louisville. Happy FF!
Elaine @ foodbod says
Wow! Party time!!
Rachel says
YUMMY! This looks SO delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
Quinn Caudill says
Thanks Rachel, let me know what you think!
MiraUncut says
Gimme gimme! I love pecans and not enough ppl bake with them. I hate walnuts so its always a bummer in a dessert for me, so pecans ftw!
Quinn Caudill says
Yes, I think the pecan is much better for baking. I don’t mind walnuts but pecans are better. Thanks for stopping by!
littleprinceleopold says
I don’t know that I’d want to share that! Looks dangerously good, especially with the whipped cream on top!!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says
You can’t go wrong with chocolate chip cookies or pecan pie. Adding them together is like marrying two of the best desserts the recipe world has to offer. This sounds delicious. Love the pecan pie topping.
Quinn Caudill says
All the fav’s in one cookie. Thanks for stopping by!
Jhuls says
It is my first time hearing about these cookie bars. I think I can say now that I am living under a rock! These look amazing, Quinn! I know these will be a hit at this week’s FF! Thanks for sharing!
Quinn Caudill says
They are a little different but oh so good. Happy FF!
Caitlin says
Oh wow I cannot wait to try these out! They look heavenly!
Quinn Caudill says
They are really good. Thanks for stopping by Caitlin!
Sarah Kranz says
These look delicious, my mouth is watering 🙂
Ms. Travelingboots says
I just successfully did my first ever baking experience. We’ll try to recreate this recipe.
Quinn Caudill says
Congratulations! Let me know how it turns out.
Nicole @ Gofargrowclose says
What a fantastic looking recipe. I love the thought that you have put into your blog post. The photos are fantastic and make me very, very hungry.
Quinn Caudill says
Then I must be doing a decent job if I am making you Hungary. Thanks for stopping by Nicole!!
shanissweetart says
Those sound amazing! My husband is a huge pecan pie fan, I will definitely be giving these a try.
Quinn Caudill says
Then he will love these bars. Thanks for stopping by!
Samantha Lee says
These look AMAZING. Saving this recipe to try later – I really need to get back into baking! 😉
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
Quinn Caudill says
These are really good. Thanks for stopping by Samantha!
Cara Owens says
These look absolutely delicious! I like anything in bar form because they’re easier to eat! 😉
Quinn Caudill says
Thanks Cara I totally agree.
Jessica Ree says
You had me at cookie dough <3 pinning these to try!
Quinn Caudill says
Thanks Jessica for sharing!
collegeceliackc says
My dad would be tripping over his tongue to taste this recipe! He LOVES pecan pie!
Quinn Caudill says
I hope he doesn’t hurt himself. Thanks for stopping by!
Chantal Bernard says
Wow, this looks like such a yummy recipe. I have got to make this for my family this weekend.
Quinn Caudill says
Let me know how it turns out. Thanks for stopping by!
Cori says
This looks like the ultimate dessert! Saving this recipe for sure!
Quinn Caudill says
Thanks Cori!
Sharon Baskin says
In your directiosns for the cookie bar crust, you say “cream butter and sugars together”, yet you do not list butter in the ingredient list.
Quinn Caudill says
Hi Sharon, Thanks for stopping by and finding my omission. Butter is kind of important. I have updated the recipe. It takes 2 sticks (1 cup ) unsalted butter , softened. Hope you enjoy.