Kentucky Derby Pecan Bars (Printer-Friendly)

Buttery crust and pecan filling paired with a smooth bourbon glaze create a festive treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Pecan Pie Filling

05 - 3 large eggs
06 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
07 - 1 cup light corn syrup
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 tablespoons bourbon
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 2 cups pecan halves

→ Bourbon Glaze

13 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2 tablespoons bourbon
15 - 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.
02 - In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
04 - While crust bakes, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in pecan halves.
05 - Pour filling evenly over hot crust. Return to oven and bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until filling is set and just slightly jiggles in center.
06 - Let bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
07 - Whisk together powdered sugar, bourbon, and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth. Add more milk as needed for pourable consistency.
08 - Drizzle glaze over cooled bars. Let set for 15 minutes, then lift from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look restaurant-worthy but taste homemade in the best way possible.
  • The bourbon glaze gives you that sophisticated kick without being over the top.
  • You can make them ahead and they stay fresh for days, which is honestly a life saver.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step on the crust before adding the filling—it keeps the bottom from getting soggy and helps everything bake evenly.
  • The bourbon matters more than you'd think; it adds complexity that plain vanilla could never reach, so don't skip it or over-substitute it.
03 -
  • Toast your pecans lightly in a dry skillet before adding them to the filling—five minutes brings out their natural oils and deepens the flavor.
  • For a non-alcoholic version that actually tastes good, swap the bourbon for apple juice concentrate mixed with a tiny splash of vanilla extract.
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