Derby Day Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Bars

Derby Day’s a-coming!  Ok, let’s review why I would care about that.  I don’t have a horse.  I don’t ride horses.  I don’t attend horse races.  I don’t live in Kentucky.  There are associated foods that I like.  Oh yes, that’s the one.  It’s because there are foods I like.  Even though I’ve never been to the Kentucky Derby, and I know virtually nothing about it, I’d like to ride the coattails of this pseudo holiday and take advantage of the opportunity to make some food that I may otherwise have never tried.

 

 

So, let’s call these Derby Day Bars.  Whatever you call them, you DON’T call them Derby Pie.  That name is trademarked by the inventors, and they’re a little miffed about knock-offs.  These bars are certainly reminiscent of Kern’s Derby Pie, however.

Even though I know nothing about the Kentucky Derby, I feel qualified to discuss it.  Why?  1) I’ve been to Kentucky, 2) As a child, I wanted to be a horse when I grew up, and 3) I’ve been asking my husband to throw me a pony party for years. So… yeah.

Is there a potential triple crown winner this year?  I have no idea.  I missed those first two races altogether.  Have no idea who won.  Oh wait – this just in, apparently those other races haven’t actually happened yet. Wow, I’m already learning so much! But one of these years, I’m really going to pay attention.  And then I’m going to actually take the trip and go to the Derby, I’m going to wear a large hat, and I’m going to drink a mint julep or six.

I found this recipe on the blog Smitten Kitchen.  They called it “Not Derby Pie” to specify, I suspect, that this is most certainly not a recipe that claims to actually be Derby Pie. Heavens no.

To clarify, this isn’t a “healthy” recipe.  This can be filed under the, “I did a long run today, and I’m going to indulge myself” category.  Why let the horses have all the fun?  Get out there and run around some!

This recipe begins with the par-baking of a crust in an 8 x 8 pan.  Then, the filling is poured over top of it, and the whole ensemble is baked again.

Cleverly, the recipe authors recommended doing this fancy little parchment paper lining trick in the pan.  When it was done and fully cooled, I was able to lift the whole darned thing right out of the pan and place it in tact on a serving tray for maximum presentability.

So… I taste tested these for you.  Turns out they’re good.  The authors suggest that the bourbon is optional, but might I suggest that you go ahead and use it?  It’s good, ok?

My only regret is that I didn’t fully prepare by having some ice cream on hand.  These little monsters would have been KILLER with some vanilla ice cream.  (Or maybe some Jeni’s brown-butter almond brittle).

In another display of local hometown pride, (how trendy of me!), these cookie bars are featuring Watershed Distillery‘s Bourbon.  (I know, I know… it’s about Kentucky… It’s not supposed to be about Ohio today.  I think all the other ingredients were imported from the Caribbean and Mexico though, so we can’t have it all, can we?)

If you’re having a Derby party today, you should probably consider a double batch.  Otherwise, you’re going to be sorely disappointed when there are no leftovers.

Ok, so down to business – let’s discuss the recipe.  We’ve got a SUPER simple crust – just flour, sugar, salt, and butter mixed in the food processor until it starts to come together and then pressed into the pan.

While the crust par-bakes, you can start whipping up your filling.  First, you’ll melt some butter until it starts to brown, then after letting it cool for a couple minutes, you’ll whisk in some sugar, some brown sugar, eggs, bourbon, vanilla, and salt, then lastly flour.  Finally you’ll stir in some chopped walnuts and chocolate chunks.  (Good thing we still had one chocolate bunny lying around to chop up… SOMEONE ate all the chocolate chips I had been stowing away.)

I don’t know what makes this a traditional Derby recipe – frankly, you’ll have to Google that if you want answers.  Along with virtually all other information about Derby Day.

Ok, so to start your party, you can find this recipe here at the Smitten Kitchen blog!

The horse I’ve chosen to root for is Mo Town.  Definitely an underdog, but who doesn’t want to see Mo Town win?  Go horses!!!