Derby Pie Brownies

The best way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby is with a mint julep in one hand and Derby Pie Brownies in the other. Chocolate Brownies covered in bourbon, toasted pecans, and chocolate chips!

Chocolate and Bourbon are front and center in these Derby Pie Brownies | Take Two Tapas | #KentuckyDerby #Derby #Kentucky #Sweets

Derby Pie Brownies

Grab your hat, your Mint Julep, and these Derby Pie Brownies. The Kentucky Derby is coming up soon and you need to get ready to celebrate!

At the Kentucky Derby, everyone is drinking bourbon, eating Derby Pie, and cheering on their favorite horse! I had the privilege to go to the Kentucky Derby in 2013 and it was such an amazing experience.

It was such a great time walking around looking at hats, celebrity stalking when I saw one come in, drinking Oaks Lilies (the drink of the Oaks on Friday), and feeling the horses shake the ground when they raced by.

I am still not a huge fan of bourbon in my drinks, but I do love it in my food.

The best example of this is the Derby Pie. That classic combination of toasted pecans, chocolate chips, and bourbon filling a flaky pie crust. How about we take these classic flavors and add them to even more chocolate!!!  

The Kentucky Derby also makes me think of bourbon balls. I stick to the Oaks Lilies vodka drinks but bourbon reigns king and so do these Bourbon Balls that my husband’s grandma used to make.

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My hat looks great with these Derby Pie Brownies | Take Two Tapas | #KentuckyDerby #Derby #Kentucky #Sweets
Here we are at Churchill Downs!

Ingredients Needed

  • semi-sweet chocolate
  • melted butter
  • sugar
  • eggs
  • vanilla
  • flour
  • brown sugar
  • dark corn syrup
  • bourbon
  • toasted pecans

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Derby Pie Brownies are better than regular browniesl | Take Two Tapas | #KentuckyDerby #Derby #Kentucky #Sweets #Brownies

How to make Derby Pie Brownies

First: Make the Brownie Layer Preheat the oven to 350F. Melt the butter in a glass bowl in the microwave. Add chocolate and stir until melted.

Second: Add the sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Stir to combine. Add the flour and stir until mixed through.

Third: Pour into a 9×13 pan lined with non-stick foil or parchment paper. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Remove from oven.

Fourth: Make the Derby Pie Layer Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and bourbon until combined. Add the toasted pecans and chocolate chips.

Fifth: Pour on top of the brownie layer. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes until center is set. Remove from oven and cool completely.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Slice up a few of these Derby Pie Brownies | Take Two Tapas | #KentuckyDerby #Derby #Kentucky #Sweets #Brownies

Kentucky Derby Foods

Looking to host a Kentucky Derby Party? Here is a list of Kentucky Derby Food and some cute decorations!

Among them are my Derby Pie Bites, Derby Pie Cheese Ball, and Derby Pie Dip!

kentucky derby food ideas collage

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Brownies all dressed up for the Kentucky Derby! Derby Pie Brownies | Take Two Tapas | #KentuckyDerby #Derby #Kentucky #Sweets #Brownies

Whip up a batch of these Derby Pie Brownies, grab your big outrageous hat, and head on over to your Kentucky Derby party! Don’t forget your Mint Julep too!

Side view of stack of Derby Pie Brownies

Derby Pie Brownies

The best way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby is with Derby Pie Brownies. Chocolate Brownies covered in bourbon, toasted pecans, and chocolate chips!
4.39 from 63 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sweets, Desserts and Shooters
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 24 brownies
Calories: 391kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer

  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  • 3/4 cup melted butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup flour

For the Derby Pie Layer

  • 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups chopped toasted pecans

Instructions

Make the Brownie Layer

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.

Make the brownie layer:

  • Melt the butter in a glass bowl in the microwave.
  • Add chocolate and stir until melted.
  • Add the sugar, vanilla, and eggs.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Add the flour and stir until mixed through.
  • Pour into a 9×13 pan lined with non-stick foil or parchment paper.
  • Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
  • Remove from oven.

Make the Derby Pie Layer

  • Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and bourbon until combined.
  • Add the toasted pecans and chocolate chips.
  • Pour on top of the brownie layer.
  • Bake at 350F for 35 minutes until center is set.
  • Remove from oven and cool completely.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Notes

*If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars. Thank you!

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownies | Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.2g | Protein: 4.4g | Fat: 21.7g | Saturated Fat: 9.5g | Cholesterol: 79.7mg | Sodium: 452mg | Fiber: 2.4g | Sugar: 416g

More Brownie Ideas

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80 Comments

  1. 3 stars
    I realized too late that this was a mostly untried recipe—most comments are how good it LOOKS or SOUNDS! There’s no explanation as to how “done” the brownie layer should be before pouring the Derby Pie layer on top. If you follow directions it’s probably going to do what mine did and just ooze into one ooey -gooey layer. I cooked at least 15 minutes longer than directed AFTER adding top layer, and still it wasn’t really done. After it cooled for two hours, I was able to take out of pan, cut into long, wide strips and bake for 20 MORE minutes.
    Then I served in bowls with vanilla ice cream on top. Delish? Yes! As presented? Nope!

  2. Thank you! I am going to try this using a box of gluten-free brownie mix as the brownie layer. I have someone with celiac disease, but loves brownies!

  3. I want to make these for a Derby party this weekend! Can I make them ahead of time and freeze them so that they’re fresh?

    1. I haven’t baked these at high altitude, I live below sea level but as a rule of thumb when baking brownies over 5000ft, decrease sugar by 1 tablespoons per cup and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid, such as water, to the brownie layer. I hope this helps. If they turn out please let me know so I can add this information to my post:)

  4. 5 stars
    I made these for a derby party and they were so good! They were fudgy and delicious! People loved them so much they took the rest home!

  5. 5 stars
    I made these for a derby party and they were so good! They were fudgy and delicious! People loved them so much they took the rest home!

  6. Did anyone have any problem with the length of baking time? Mine stayed so gooey jiggly so I baked it for almost another 20 minutes and it stayed gooey in the middle and too hard to chew all around the outside. It had good flavor but I had to throw them away because they just weren’t right.

    1. Kim, I am so sorry that you had problems with the recipe and had to throw them away. That’s no good! I haven’t had anyone else say they have had problems but I can offer some suggestions. Did the brownie layer cook and just not the pie layer? First, check the temperature on your oven. I have had problems in the past with mine going out of whack and being off from the desired temp and having to adjust my knob. Next, I would try lowering the cooking temperature to 325F so they can cook longer without drying out. Last, I would try cooking the brownie layer for about 5 minutes less before adding the pie layer. I hope this helps. Please get back to me and let me know if they work. If not, I can try some other things. Thank you for being a reader! You will probably like my derby pie bites:)

  7. Hello!

    Would the recipe change if I used a box mix for the brownies? Do I cook the brownies completely before I put them back in the oven with the topping? Should I use one or two boxed mixes?

    Thanks!

    1. You can definitely use a box mix for the brownie layer. I love the Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge family size brand when I sub a box mix. Just make sure that you use a family size or you will have to use 2 boxes that are the 8×8 size. I would still cook them for the 25 minutes because you still need to cook them for another 35 minutes and if you cook them all the way they will be way too dry. Thanks for reading!!

  8. 5 stars
    Made these last night for a derby party. I am not much of a baker and my kitchen is mostly packed up for a remodeling starting next week, so I used a boxed mix for the brownies. I also was in a rush so I probably should have let them cool more before the party. And I didn’t grease the pan enough so they stuck a bit.

    Despite all of this, they turned out amazing! They were still warm and gooey. The bourbon has just enough of a hint that the adults could taste it but the kids weren’t put off by it. My daughter has a peanut allergy so is sometimes suspicious of other nuts but she even came back for seconds. My husband and the others at the party are huge bourbon fans and they all raved about this dessert. I am definitely saving this recipe for the future.

    1. I am so glad that you liked them and that they were a hit at your Derby Party! I will admit that I have used boxed mix on occasion too because we are all strapped for time! Thank you so much for being a reader and I look forward to bringing you more Derby party recipes in the future:)

  9. 5 stars
    Made these last night for a derby party. I am not much of a baker and my kitchen is mostly packed up for a remodeling starting next week, so I used a boxed mix for the brownies. I also was in a rush so I probably should have let them cool more before the party. And I didn’t grease the pan enough so they stuck a bit.

    Despite all of this, they turned out amazing! They were still warm and gooey. The bourbon has just enough of a hint that the adults could taste it but the kids weren’t put off by it. My daughter has a peanut allergy so is sometimes suspicious of other nuts but she even came back for seconds. My husband and the others at the party are huge bourbon fans and they all raved about this dessert. I am definitely saving this recipe for the future.

  10. So much YUM in such a small brownie! Thank you for linking up to last weeks Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesday. Don’t forget to link up this week, if you haven’t already!

  11. One of these days I’m finally going to make it to a horse race…it’s on my bucket list. Until then, I’ll settle for a few of these brownies! Happy Fiesta Friday!

    1. The traditional derby pie is like a pecan pie but with chocolate and a little flour in it. Almost like a cookie pie. I love it with the brownies!

    1. Thank you so much! Checking out everyone else’s hats and dresses was almost as fun as watching the horses!

  12. There’s a derby themed event that my friend is having in a few weeks. These brownies would be just perfect.

  13. Oh, that topping looks like pure heaven and both of you looked stunning on the Derby!

  14. Looking forward to trying these! Pinning. Visiting from Create It Thursday.

  15. I’ve been hearing a lot about Derby Pie and these bars look pretty darned special! I might have to have hat to eat them! Thanks for linking up with us at Throwback Thursday!

    Mollie

  16. I’m so jealous that you actually got to go to the Kentucky Derby! It’s definitely on my list of things to do someday! I love the brownie recipe too. It looks delicious…thanks so much for sharing it with us at Share The Wealth Sunday! xoxo

  17. 5 stars
    Derby or not, I want these brownies ASAP! They look so absolutely scrumptious!

  18. 5 stars
    Derby or not, I want these brownies ASAP! They look so absolutely scrumptious!

  19. I’ve never heard of Derby pies until now, and I must say: heart eyes all over this delicious treat. Definitely pinning and sharing for later. Thanks so much for joining us this week on #shinebloghop. This recipe is great and the results looks so gorgeous…almost too good to eat (ALMOST)

  20. Wow, these look so decadent and indulgent! Will have to make these for a potluck at some point, as they definitely will need to be shared. Thanks for the inspiration. Found you at Show and Tell party.

  21. These sound like really flavorful, sophisticated brownies! Perfect for adults (and hiding them from the kids!)

  22. you had me at brownie – you can top a brownie with almost anything (well…) and I’d love it! these sound perfect for Derby or ANY day!

  23. Ha! Ha! I am with you–bourbon in food is so much better than bourbon in drinks! Love these brownies!

  24. Going to the Derby looks like so much fun. One day I would love to do it. Turing Derby pie into brownies is another great idea. What a fun way to change it up.

4.39 from 63 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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