Kentucky Derby Pie Bars with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

The 141st Kentucky Derby takes place this weekend. Are you ready? I've already posted a Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe Round-Up, but here's another great and easy recipe ... this time for Kentucky Derby Pie Bars! Make them now for the weekend. Want to make them even more fabulous? Add Bourbon Caramel Sauce. Recipe at the end of post! Now you're ready to enjoy the race!

KENTUCKY DERBY PIE BARS

Pie crust
1/2 cup sweet butter
1 cup light brown sugar
2 cups flour
Pinch of salt

Filling (Topping!)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sweet butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp Kentucky bourbon  (or 1 tsp vanilla--if non-alcoholic)
1/2 cup flour
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans, chopped

Directions 
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine brown sugar, flour, salt and butter together in bowl.
Butter 9×12 inch or 10×13 pan. Press 'pie crust' into bottom of pan and bake for 10 minutes.
In separate bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs separately until well mixed. Add Kentucky Bourbon and salt. Stir until blended.
Gradually add flour until combined.
Fold in chocolate chips and pecans.
Pour 'filling' over pre-baked crust and spread evenly.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes,  or until filling is set.
Remove from oven, cool, and cut into squares.
Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve plain or pour Bourbon Caramel Sauce over Kentucky Derby Pie Bars!

Bourbon Caramel Sauce 

Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp bourbon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions
In small bowl, whisk together cream, bourbon, and salt. Set aside.
Combine brown sugar and water in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil. Once it begins to boil watch closely and whisk until mixture starts to turn to light brown, about 5-6 minutes. When it turns brown, slowly pour in heavy cream mixture, whisking constantly and quickly. Continue to heat over medium-high until mixture thickens and is light caramel color, about 5 minutes more (don't let it get too thick, it will thicken as it sits). Remove from the heat.

Too much work? Put some ice cream on your Kentucky Derby Pie Bars and pour some bourbon over it!