Kentucky Derby Pie Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Cinco De Mayo or Kentucky Derby? Kentucky Derby or Cinco De Mayo?

Basically that has been the thought running through my head the last week and half.
So far Cinco De Mayo has won. Big Time.
Crockpot Carnitas Tortilla Burrito Bowl or Margarita Chicken Quesadillas with Margarita Guacamole anyone?? Oh man and for dessert what about some Brown Butter Crepe Ice Cream Tacos!? And really if you think I am done you are so wrong. I mean there are still five more day’s till Cinco De Mayo and I have at least one more recipe up my sleeve!

Today though is all about the Derby!
OK, so truthfully I know nothing about the Kentucky Derby and have honestly never watched it. Unless you count some three-minute clip that I saw on the news. Or wait, maybe is was Jim Rome? I don’t I only remember briefly seeing some horses on the TV as I frantically ran back to the garage to get yet another pack of butter from the fridge.
Anyway, one thing I do know is Kentucky Derby Pie. My mom used to make it every now and then. It used to be one of my favorites. Not sure whether it was the pecans, chocolate chips or that I thought I was cool because I was eating bourbon. Alright fine, it was totally because I thought I was so cool eating pie with bourbon. Don’t judge, you totally would have thought (or maybe you did) the same thing too.

I absolutely hate making pie crust. I have tried over and over to make the perfect pie crust and every time they fall flat. No joke everyone always says, “you should have used Pillsbury”. So I have given up on homemade pie crust (for now) and stick to my very trusted Pillsbury dough boy. He never disappoints.
So I made bars.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Kentucky Derby Pie Bars! Oh yes, I am totally serious. Remember? I am all about over the top desserts.

Wait though, there is more!
Bourbon Caramel Sauce.
What? It’s a big week. Over the top is completely acceptable.

Actually, the bourbon sauce was totally last-minute. I was taking pictures and the bars just looked boring. Like they really needed something oozing off of them. Bourbon to the rescue!
The bars are awesome on their own. I mean chocolate chip cookies + Kentucky Derby pie!! It’s awesome! But so is the bourbon sauce. Especially when it is warm and drizzled over cold ice cream or whipped cream sitting right on top of a very generous size bar. Oh yeah, now that is a dessert fit for the Kentucky Derby!
The pictures just don’t do this one justice. These were tough to shoot. I have no idea why, but I had a really hard time getting a good photo. I guess it was just an off day.
So what do you guys think of the Derby?


Kentucky Derby Pie Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookie bars
Over the top, dessert cookie bars!
Ingredients
For the cookie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup chocolate chips
For the filling
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup whole pecans
Bourbon Sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish
- To make the cookie crust. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Add the water. Beat to combine. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- While the crust bakes makes the filling. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, flour, salt, and bourbon and continue to mix until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans. Pour batter over the cookies crust. Bake until filling is set and the top is light golden brown, about 45 minutes. If the top starts to get too brown cover it with foil. Allow bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
While the bars cool make the bourbon sauce. Whisk together the heavy cream, bourbon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil watch closely and whisk until the mixture starts to smell like caramel and turn a golden color, and then to a light brown. This will take about 8-10 minutes. When you see that it has started to turn brown, slowly pour in the heavy cream mixture, whisking constantly and quickly. Continue to heat over medium-high until mixture has thickened and is a light caramel color, about 5 minutes more (dont let it get too thick, it will thicken as it sits). Remove from the heat.
- Cut the bars and if desired, serve with ice cream, whipped cream or both! Then drizzle on the bourbon sauce.

I say, Kentucky Derby rules!
OMG Tieghan! These are amazing!!
Thanks you Dorothy!
I hope you’ll tune in to the derby this year, it’s an awesome race. And the hats are the best part. But your pie could be eaten any day.
HA! I will! I hear it is a pretty cool thing actually! Thanks Heidi!
These look fantastic! I’ll take the bars; skip the race.
Ha! I hear the race is actually pretty cool! Thanks Faith!
These look AMAZING! Good idea with the last minute addition of the bourbon sauce! Takes them over-the-top! 🙂
Holy moly that looks incredible!! The bars by themselves look incredible, but then you drizzle on that bourbon sauce to put it over the top. Great job 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Holy yum, these look amazing! I would happily drink that Bourbon caramel sauce!
Thank you, Rosie!! The Bourbon sauce it crazy good! Totally drinkable! LOL!
I cannot even begin to describe how good these look, especially with that Bourbon sauce. Wow!
Thank you Hannah! The Bourbon sauce totally puts these over the top!
I’d like the whole pan in my face STAT please 😉
HA! Thanks Heather!! I am SO excited to see you comment! Seriously, Thanks girl!
Oh my! I need to make these ASAP!
Thanks Steph!!
I love the month of May for those two reasons – cinco de mayo and kentucky derby!! Both give me the excuse to eat these amazing gooey bourbon bars and drink margaritas. 😉
Oh I SO agree! I am going a little crazy on the cinco de mayo eats!! The margarita themed foods seem to keep flowing out of my kitchen! LOL! Thanks Sally!
Your Kentucky Derby Bars look way beyond fantastic!! Right down to the Bourbon Sauce:) I think I found my new favorite bars! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
YES!! Thanks Lynn! P.S The sauce it crazy delicious!
These look out of this world!
Thank you Tasha!!
O.M.G… seriously. OMG… I need these.
Thanks Kita!! So excited to see your comment!!
They are just gorgeous! So loaded with texture and tons of different flavors. I love layered bars & they’re totally my go-to and I don’t blame you for the pie crust! These wayyyyy trump pie anyway. The Bourbon Sauce …mmmm, drinkable! Pinned!
Layered bars rule and you have some of the best! Thank so much for pinning!!
Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! I want!! Definitely making these!! Thanks for sharing such a fabulous recipe!!
Yes!! Thanks Deborah!
Wow, these bars look absolutely heavenly!
Thank you, Chung-Ah!!
These look absolutely fab it’s been ages since I had cookie bars. Yum
Thank you!
These look so delicious! I found your post at the From Dream to Reality link party, I linked up a Derby dessert as well.
Thanks Sarah! I am going to have to check out your dessert!
Pinned!
These look delicious!
Love your blog! Would love for you to link up on A Peek Into My Paradise T.G.I.F. Link Party on Friday!
Cathy @ http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Thank you and thanks for pinning Cathy!
Yummy sounding! your pics are amazing! Come ink up to Centerpiece Wednesday and share your post with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/04/centerpiece-wednesday.html
Karin
Thank you!
In spite of all the funny hats, I am digging these for derby day…..and bourbon sauce ftw!!
Ha!! Thanks kim!
Oh my, that looks sensational! Pinning this as a reminder to make this –YUM!!!
Thank you and thanks so much for pinning!
These look absolutely amazing. I had to stop by from Foodie Friday to check out the recipe. Thank you for sharing.
hank you Felissa an thank you so much for clinking over!
I guess I’m pretty boring I have never actually watched the Kentucky Derby. I don’t know why. If I get to eat good food like this I might just have to start. I had to come check these out the cookie bars look fabulous 🙂 Krista @ A Handful of Everything
Thanks Krista! I have never watched it either, but I hear it is pretty cool!
Special dessert for a special race! The sauce and ice cream make all the difference. The bars look fancy and delicious!
The sauce is killer! Thanks Wendy!
Cinco de mayo is not that big around my town. I enjoy horse racing we have quite a few famous ones in the New York Area. So I am pinning your dessert for next year.
Ya! Thank Diane! Hope you love these!
I believe you’ve nailed it! And i can’t wait to give them a try!
Thank you!! I hope you love them!!
These look amazing! I’m a sucker for Derby Pie–I grew up in Western Kentucky so it was at every holiday meal. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Ah, Lucky you!! That sounds awesome!! Hope you love these just as much!! Thanks Tara!
Yum – these look like an amazing alternative to the work of Derby Pie! I lived in Louisville for 3 years and it’s definitely all about the race once you get towards the end of April.
Thank you! I bet living so close to the rece was tons of fun!
Drooooooling! Shared on FB. These look fabulous.
Consider yourself hugged,
http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-perfectly-peanut-butter-brownies/
Thank for sharing Sue!!
YUMMO!
I would love for you to share this and link up to my TGIF Link Party! The party is open every Friday and closes at midnight on Wednesday night. Who knows, you just might be featured next week!
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-peek-into-my-paradise-tgif-link-party.html
Hugs, Cathy
Thank so much Cathy!
Tieghan,
These bars are amazing! I think your pictures are always the best! You critique yourself too much lady. I’ve watched the race a few times and I can take it or leave it but one thing’s for certain…..I’m taking these bars with me wherever I go from now on! I’ll be trying these probably for Mother’s Day 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Michelle
Ha! Thank you Michelle!!
So I clicked on four links at High Hills and Grills….and three of them were yours! It’s official, new follower 😀 (promise not a stalker, though)! These sound delicious…pinned!
Ha! Yes!! Thank you Danielle!
It looks and sounds HEAVENLY !!
Thank you, Winnie!!
Oh My Goodness!! These look so delicious!! I think your pictures are beautiful…they got my attention!!
Thank you so much!!
Would love for you to share this at my link up where we pin all that join
http://myfashionforwardblog.com/2013/05/09/all-things-pretty-number-7/
Thank you!
Speaking of running and races…..better get an entire panful of this in my belly before I do a charity run this weekend. We’ll call it, er, motivation. I can’t *wait* to throw some bourbon into this batch–it looks gorgeous!
Thanks Ala! Hope you love and I hope you race goes well! Good luck!
Holy heck! Yum!
Ha! Thank Erin!
Looks so good!!! again – saw you at marvelous monday!
Thanks again Heather!!
I love Derby Nut Pie, and I am looking forward to trying these tonight. We live in Louisville, though, and I’d like to make one revision. “Real” Derby Nut Pie has walnuts, not pecans. 🙂
I hope you love these, Michele!! And thanks for the info about real Derby pie!! I cannot believe I did not know that! Oh well, I guess I will have to make them again with the walnuts this time!!
Wow! They are stunning! Can you even think about a race with these before you?
Thank you so much, Viviana!
OMGSH. Just saw these through Pinterest! They look awesome! Pinned! 🙂
http://www.pinterest.com/emilyloving
Tieghan, these look amazing and I’m planning to make them this week for a get together. One question – I need to make these the night before. Is the bourbon sauce intended to be warm when served? I figured I could add the whipped cream and sauce at the last minute (just take it with me separately), but wasn’t sure if the sauce needed to be refrigerated and if it needed to be warmed? Thanks for this fabulous recipe!
Hey Connie,
The sauce can be made ahead, but I would warm it in the microwave for maybe 20 seconds? I think it is best just a little warm. Hope you all love these!! Oh and no, it does not need to be kept in the fridge.
I live in Kentucky and always watch the Kentucky Derby on tv. Can’t wait to try Kentucky Derby Pie cookies.
That’s awesome! Hope they taste amazing!! Thanks Valerie!
Be careful…”Derby Pie” is a fiercely guarded trademark by the inventors, Kern’s Kitchen, here in Louisville! It may be ok to use as a recipe, but restaurants have been sued for using the name! There are many great culinary traditions for Derby… I always have cheese straws, strawberries, and Benedictine sandwiches. Happy Oaks & Derby! These bars look tasty!
I’ve just made the cookie bars and they look perfect (I did have to place foil over the batter after they had baked about half the time, but I was using a convection oven).
I have a question about the Bourbon Sauce – in the instructions it says the water/brown sugar mixture will turn to a golden color, then light brown (which my caramel has done if I cooked with granulated sugar). But using brown sugar, the mixture started out dark brown and didn’t change, so I couldn’t estimate when to add the cream… I went by the suggested times and the sauce turned out watery.
Hey Bonnie! SO happy the bars turned out great for you, but sorry you had trouble with the sauce! I typically add the cream when the sugars begin to bubble up and thicken. Next time, i would cook it until 8-10 minutes and then add the cream. If after that it is still watery just boil it longer until the sauce thickens to your desired thickness. Hope that helps and let me know if you have other questions. Thank you! 🙂
I think the pics are awesome! I AM making these for Derby day…what a fabulous idea!!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Gerri!