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!
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.
I had 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 hubby’s grandma used to make.
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I have seen quite a few variations on the Derby Pie while perusing Pinterest this week in anticipation of the Kentucky Derby and could only find smaller pies and cookie bars.
This cookie bar recipe from Half Baked Harvest was my jumping off point. She inspired me to make a version that I hadn’t seen before. That delicious Derby Pie nestled on top of gooey, chocolatey 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!
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!
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 9x13 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 Information:
Serving Size: 1 browniesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 391Total Fat: 21.7gSaturated Fat: 9.5gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 79.7mgSodium: 452mgCarbohydrates: 47.2gFiber: 2.4gSugar: 416gProtein: 4.4g
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Becca
Friday 22nd of November 2019
Do you have to make any adjustments for high altitude?
Jennifer
Saturday 23rd of November 2019
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:)
BestZella
Tuesday 16th of July 2019
Great recipe!
JD
Monday 27th of May 2019
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!
Jennifer
Monday 27th of May 2019
I am so glad that you and your guests liked them! They are my favorite too!
Kim Blackwell
Friday 31st of August 2018
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.
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Friday 31st of August 2018
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:)
Lucy
Wednesday 2nd of May 2018
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!
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Thursday 3rd of May 2018
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 8x8 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!!