Signature Kentucky Recipe: JC's Kentucky Derby Bars

JCP Eats

Hey, y’all! Many readers write to me regarding the perfect dessert to serve at a dinner party, at a meeting, or to take to someone’s house. My philosophy on cooking is that food should be both delicious and easy – and in the dessert realm, that means one thing: my homemade Kentucky Derby Bars! Your neighbor, your family, and the neighborhood food critic will be impressed by these; I’m excited to share them with you today!

JCP Eats

JCP Eats

Kentucky Derby Bars: A Southern Dessert

With one bite of a Kentucky Derby Bar, you’ll be transported to Churchill Downs and have a Mint Julep in hand. You’ll probably hear “My Old Kentucky Home” playing through your head, your accent will be a little thicker, and you might write your MeeMaw about them. In all seriousness, this is a signature flavor profile here in Kentucky and it’s easy to see why we are famous for it after trying it.

JCP Eats

Two-Part Recipe

My Kentucky Derby Bars require a bipartite recipe. The first part is making a delicious, homemade graham cracker crust that is oh-so-simple. Secondly, and most importantly: the delicious topping. Buckle up, y’all — it’s good.

JCP Eats

The Recipe

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

• 3 c. honey graham crackers, crushed
• 1/2 c. butter, melted
• 1/2 c. sugar white
• 1 Egg White
• 1.5 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping

• 3 eggs
• 2 c. pecans, chopped
• 1 c. brown sugar, tightly packed
• 1 c. light corn syrup
• 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 c. butter, melted
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1.5 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F.

For The Crust

• Liberally grease/spray a 13×9 baking pan.
• In mixing bowl, combine honey graham cracker crumbs, an egg white, melted butter, vanilla extract, and sugar. Stir/mix until well-combined. Press crumb mixture into the greased baking pan, making sure that it is evenly distributed.
• Bake crust for 10 minutes, allowing it to completely cool before adding the topping.

For The Topping/To Complete The Recipe

• In a second mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and corn syrup and stir until well-mixed. From there, add eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and kosher salt. Stir thoroughly.
• Add chopped pecans and semi-sweet chocolate chips, folding them into the filling.
• Evenly spread over the cooled graham cracker crust and cook for approximately 38 – 40 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

JCP Eats

It doesn't much more Kentucky than this!

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow

This is original content from NewsBreak’s Creator Program. Join today to publish and share your own content.