Derby Bars

For the past couple of years I have been hosting a Kentucky Derby party. Guests are required to dress as if they are going to the Derby. Of course, prizes are given for the best dressed, and the most fabulous hat. Normally I make a couple of Kentucky Derby pies, but this year I decided that I would try something different. I turned my Kentucky Derby pie recipe into delicious bars, they are nearly impossible to resist. Will you tune into the Derby?

Derby Bars 
Shortbread Crust
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
Topping/Filling
1/2 cup (1 stick/8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) salted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar (I store a vanilla bean in mine)
3 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups walnuts; chopped
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cover a 9x13 glass dish with parchment paper, and then spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• To make the crust: combine the powered sugar, flour, salt and cubed butter, using a pastry cutter. You want to continue to combine until it resembles coarse cornmeal (as pictured above).  Firmly pat the mixture into the bottom of the 9x13 baking dish. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes, or until just lightly golden.
• To make the topping/filling: cream the butter (salted and unsalted), and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla blend until incorporated. Add the flour and salt and continue to mix until well combined.
• Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
• Pour the batter over the partially baked crust. Bake until filling is set and the top is light golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.