If you love a good blondie, you’re going to love these Bourbon Bars! They’re rich, buttery and chewy, with plenty of brown sugar flavor, chocolate chips and toasted pecans. A little Kentucky bourbon adds an extra layer of flavor that makes these bars something special.

The best part is that they’re really easy to make. Everything comes together in one baking pan, and there’s no frosting or complicated decorating involved.

These are great for holiday gatherings, parties, potlucks or anytime you’re craving a homemade dessert that’s a little different from the usual chocolate chip cookie bars.

Why You’ll Love These Bourbon Bars

They have a rich, buttery flavor. Brown sugar and melted butter give these bars their wonderful chewy texture.
They have chocolate and pecans. Bittersweet chocolate chips and toasted pecans are a delicious combination.
There’s a little bourbon! Bourbon adds warmth and depth without overwhelming the other flavors- not as strong as bourbon balls!
They’re easy to make. They’re baked in a 13×9-inch pan and cut into squares.
It’s an awesome treat for sharing. They’re easy to transport to parties and gatherings. Try our bacon bourbon chocolate chunk cookies too!

ingredients displayed for making bourbon bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour: This gives the bars their structure while keeping them soft and chewy.
Baking powder: Just enough to give the bars a little lift without making them cakey.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the chocolate and bourbon.
Brown sugar: This is what gives Bourbon Bars their rich, caramel-like flavor and wonderfully chewy texture.
Butter: Melted butter makes these bars extra rich and buttery. Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt.
Eggs: Help bind everything together and give the bars their soft, chewy consistency.
Vanilla extract: Adds a little extra sweetness and warmth to the flavor.
Kentucky bourbon: The ingredient that makes these bars special! Bourbon adds a warm, slightly caramel-like flavor that works beautifully with brown sugar, chocolate and pecans.
Bittersweet chocolate chips: The slightly less sweet chocolate is a nice contrast to the rich brown sugar batter.
Toasted pecans: Add a delicious nutty flavor and a little crunch to every bite.

How to Make Bourbon Bars

Prepare the oven and pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Make the batter. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and melted butter. Mix in the eggs, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the bourbon.
Combine. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and toasted pecans.
Bake. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over the top, if desired. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, until golden brown and the edges begin pulling away from the pan.
Cool and finish. Let the bars cool for about 1 hour. Brush the remaining tablespoon of bourbon over the top, then cut into squares.

Recipe Tips

Toast the pecans. Toasting brings out their nutty flavor and makes a noticeable difference in these bars.
Don’t overmix the batter. Once the flour is added, stir just until everything is combined.
Use good-quality chocolate. Bittersweet chocolate chips balance the sweetness of the brown sugar.
Watch the baking time. You want these bars to remain chewy, so avoid baking them until they’re dry.
Let them cool before cutting. The bars will hold together better and you’ll get cleaner squares.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Bourbon Bars taste like?

They taste similar to chewy chocolate chip blondies, with rich brown sugar flavor, toasted pecans and a subtle bourbon note.

Do you have to use Kentucky Bourbon?

No! You can use any kind of bourbon for these blondies. You can even leave it out, if you prefer not to use alcohol. Leave out the pecans if there is a nut allergy. Enjoy!

Can I leave out the bourbon?

Yes. You can omit the bourbon, although the bars will lose some of their distinctive flavor.

Do Bourbon Bars contain alcohol?

Yes. Bourbon is mixed into the batter, and additional bourbon is brushed over the bars after baking. The finished bars should be considered an alcohol-containing dessert.

How to toast pecans:

Place the pecans on a baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Keep an eye on them so they don’t brown too quickly or burn.

Can I make Bourbon Bars ahead of time?

Yes. They’re a convenient make-ahead dessert because they can be baked, cooled and cut before you’re ready to serve them.

How to Store and Freeze Bourbon Bars

It would be useful for readers making these ahead for holiday parties. You could mention storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days, or freezing individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months.

What Makes Bourbon Bars Different from Blondies?

Bourbon Bars are essentially a grown-up version of classic blondies. They have that same buttery, chewy texture and rich brown sugar flavor, but the addition of bourbon and chocolate chips gives them something extra.

Bourbon has natural notes of vanilla, caramel and oak, which pair especially well with chocolate and toasted pecans. It doesn’t take much bourbon to give these bars a distinctive flavor.

And because a little bourbon is brushed over the bars after baking, you get an additional burst of bourbon flavor in every bite. These are definitely dessert bars for bourbon lovers (who will also love our bourbon chocolate pecan pie!)

How to Serve Bourbon Bars

These Bourbon Bars are delicious served at room temperature, but they’re especially good slightly warm when the chocolate chips are still a little soft.

For an extra-special dessert, warm up a square and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A drizzle of caramel sauce would be delicious too!

They’re also a great addition to a holiday cookie tray, dessert platter or party buffet. Cut them into smaller squares for gatherings, or make larger portions when serving them as an individual dessert.