"DELICIOUS" SERVED UP KENTUCKY HOSPITALITY STYLE

The race is over and I'll Have Another goes down in history as the 138th winner in the Race for the Roses.  Yet not all things Kentucky Derby have to come to an end, especially not these delicious recipes for Kentucky Derby Chocolate Pecan Bars and the more traditional Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut pie. Both desserts taste great whatever the time of year and go well with a k-cup of Southern Pecan or any of the other roasts and blends available for your Keurig. We hope you enjoy these absolutely delicious confections! Please let us know if you whip up either, or both, of these recipes for friends and family and how they enjoyed this taste of Kentucky hospitality.

Special thanks to Kendrin Nordin, editor at Stir It Up! and staff writer for the CS Monitor for publishing these recipes that all of us can enjoy and share.

Kentucky Derby Bars

For the crust:
1 package graham crackers, crushed (2 cups crumbs)
5 tablespoons of butter 

For the bars:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shelled pecans (or walnuts), chopped
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Pound the graham crackers inside their package into crumbs using a rolling pin. Empty into a large bowl, crush any remaining large pieces with the bottom of a jar or mug. Stir in 5 tablespoons of melted butter. Press crumbs into an 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish.
In a large bowl mix sugar and flour. Stir in eggs, butter, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and vanilla. Add walnuts and chocolate chips and stir until combined.
Spread mixture evenly over graham cracker crust.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until it has set, there should be a slight gloss to the crust. Remove and allow to cool completely. The bars will be soft and chewy but not runny.
Cut into squares and serve.

 Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie
Serves 6-8
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shelled walnuts (or pecans), chopped
1 cup chocolate chips
1 unbaked 9-inch pastry shell
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


In a large bowl mix sugar and flour. Stir in eggs, butter, and vanilla. Add walnuts and chocolate chips and stir until combined. Spread mixture evenly in pastry shell.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until set. The pie should be soft and chewy but not runny. Serve warm with whipped cream.