I just love getting a new cookbook! Especially when it’s full of delicious desserts like this one. Homemade Decadence by Joy Wilson is my dream cookbook! I’m excited to have gotten this book right before the holidays. These recipes are perfect for a holiday party or just for warming up the house on a cold day.
Thanks to Blogging for Books, I was able to get Homemade Decadence by Joy Wilson to review. This post also contains affiliate links. By clicking on these links, you will be supporting A Savory Feast at no extra cost to you.
I usually have a difficult time picking out my next book from Blogging for Books, because I always want them all! But this month, it was an easy choice. I was so excited to get this book because I have been following Joy’s blog and absolutely love her recipes!
I knew that Homemade Decadence would be filled with incredible desserts. When I opened the book, I was delighted to find that the entire first chapter is filled with breakfast foods! If you know anything about me, you know I love making a big breakfast on a day off. I can’t wait to try some of these donuts, pancakes and muffins.
After the breakfast recipes comes recipe after recipe for delicious drinks, cookies, cakes, pies and more. No matter the occasion, you will find a sweet recipe in this book. Many of Joy’s recipes are updates on a classic favorite, such as her Apple Pie with Cheddar-bacon Crust.
By now, I’ve convinced you that you need this book in your life, right? If not, I’m sure that this recipe will! It was hard to pick the first recipe I would try, but I needed a treat to bring to Thanksgiving at my aunt’s house, so I decided to give these Bourbon-Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars.
Dark chocolate, pecans and bourbon make for a flavorful dessert that is perfect for the holidays! I love the combination of the shortbread crust and crunchy topping. It was a hit with my family!
This recipe would be perfect for a holiday cookie exchange, too! I’m thinking I’ll need to make another batch before the holidays are over.
Enjoy the recipe below, and be sure to check out Homemade Decadence by Joy Wilson for even more out-of-this-world desserts, drinks and snacks!
Bourbon-Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups toasted pecan halves, chopped coarsely
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks, Jenna's note -- I sprinkled extra chocolate chunks over the top before baking
Instructions
- Put a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter, line with parchment paper, and grease the parchment paper. The parchment paper will ensure that the bars are easy to remove from the pan, but it's not entirely necessary. (Jenna's note -- I skipped the parchment paper and it was fine!)
- For the crust, in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, confectioner's sugar, butter and salt. Beat until the mixture is combined, but crumbly, about 4 minutes. Dump the mixture into the prepared baking dish and use your fingers to press the crust evenly across the bottom.
- Bake until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, but leave the oven on.
- For the filling, in a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, bourbon, and salt until thoroughly combined and glossy. Stir in the pecan pieces and chocolate chunks. Pour the mixture over the baked crust, distributing the pecans and chocolate pieces evenly.
- Bake until set, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in the baking dish before slicing into bars. The bars will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
I’m joining Erin from The Speckled Palate for her Christmas Cookie Week 2014! Be sure to link up your Christmas cookies and check out some of the delicious ideas already linked up.
Sarah @ 12 Twenty Seven says
YUMMY! You know my love for bourbon pecan pie is deep so these sound INCREDIBLE!
Jenna Brussee says
You will absolutely LOVE these! Definitely your kind of cookie.
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
I definitely think “decadence” was the right word for her to use in the book title! These look so, so delicious Jenna! YUM!!
Jenna Brussee says
I agree! Every recipe in the book looks just as amazing as these bars.
Erin says
I recently got Homemade Decadence, too, and I’m loving it, as well! Seriously. Everything in it sounds so good… and then these Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars. What a glorious addition to Christmas Cookie Week. They’re combining some of my FAVORITE things (bourbon! chocolate! pecans!), and I can imagine they taste out-of-this-world!
So happy you’re taking part in Christmas Cookie Week this year! Thanks, girl!
Jenna Brussee says
Isn’t it the best thing EVER? I am so excited to try more recipes from Homemade Decadence during the holidays.
Thanks for hosting the Christmas Cookie Week! I loved joining in. Have a great week!
Erin says
You might be right about that. 🙂 I’m super excited to try more recipes from Homemade Decadence, too, and I cannot wait to hear what you think of ’em.
You’re so welcome! It’s always fun to bring people together for something like this — who doesn’t love cookies and sweet treats this time of year?
Elaine@cookinandcraftin.com says
OMG!! These look absolutely delicious!! pecan pie is my favorite …and now in a cookie bar!! Thanks for sharing!!
Jenna Brussee says
Oh yes! My aunt make a pie that is similar to this cookie, so I knew I would love it!
Tammy Doiel says
Love anything with pecans! Thanks for linking
up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party! I’ve pinned your post to
the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
Jenna Brussee says
Enjoy it! Have a great week.
Miz Helen says
Hi Jenna,
Your Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars look fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! I think I need to make another batch for Christmas.