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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!

Derby Pie Brownie Ingredients

  • 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 Derby party food ideas and some cute decorations!

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

More Brownie Ideas

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

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Recipe Rating




Donna

Sunday 2nd of May 2021

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!

barbara cleary

Tuesday 27th of April 2021

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!

Jennifer

Friday 30th of April 2021

I have made these with a gluten free mix and they turn out great!

Leighton

Monday 26th of April 2021

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?

Jennifer

Friday 30th of April 2021

You sure can~

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!