Pecan Chewies are buttery rich, sweet nutty goodness and perfectly chewy in texture — it’s hard to resist. These bars are made with simple ingredients and loaded with crunchy pecans—a dream for any nut lover. Serve them as a snack, as a dessert, or with a hot cup of coffee!
Why You’ll Love These Pecan Chewies:
Rich and Chewy: These bars are soft and chewy with a buttery flavour that melts in your mouth.
Kid-Friendly: With easy-to-find ingredients and a one-pan recipe, these are perfect for both new and seasoned bakers.
Nutty Crunch: The chopped pecans give each bite a cheerful crunch and warmth of nutty flavor.
Versatile Dessert: These bars make a great holiday treat, an afternoon snack or a sweet spotlight at brunch.
Crowd-Pleaser: This 9×13 inch pan recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd, and it keeps well for days.
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Key Ingredients:
Butter
Melted for Moisture: Melting the butter results in a denser, chewier texture that’s crucial for these bars.
No Boil: You heat the butter slowly, in the microwave or on a stovetop, so it doesn’t separate out.
Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter so that you can control the saltiness. Use half the added salt if using salted butter.
White and Brown Sugar
Sweet in All the Right Ways: The combination of white sugar and brown sugar gives the cookie more depthof flavor, with brown sugar adding a caramel note and chewiness.
How Packed the Brown Sugar Is: When measuring brown sugar, pack it well into the cup to get the right amount.
Alternative Sweeteners: If you want a deeper flavor, you can substitute dark brown sugar for the light brown sugar.
Vanilla Extract
Warm Flavor: The vanilla rounds out the overall flavor and brings out the nuttiness of the pecans.
Flavors Alternative: If you like almond with pecans, add a hint of almond extract for an additional flavor.
Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt
Flour Structure: All-purpose flour provides these bars with structure and chew.
Sift for Smoothness: Sifting the flour, baking powder and salt gets rid of lumps and ensures even mixing.
Baking Powder for Lightness: Baking powder adds a little lift to the chewies, helping to balance the dense, chewy texture.
Chopped Pecans
Nutty Goodness Pecans provide a crunchy texture and a rich, buttery taste that makes for a great complement to the sweetness of the chewy treats.
Optional, but Toasted for Flavor: You can toast the pecans in a 350-degree oven or over low heat in a skillet for a few minutes.
Other Nuts: Walnuts or hazelnuts are great substitutes if pecans aren’t on hand.
Full ingredient quantities + instructions is located in the recipe card at the bottom of the page
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish.
Preheat: to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare The Dish: Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish or spray with non-stick spray for easier removal.
Melt the Butter
Melt Butter: Melt butter in a large microwave safe bowl in 15-second intervals or melt in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter is completely melted (not boiling).
Mix the Wet Ingredients
Mix In Sugars: Sprinkle in melted butter white and brown sugar. Beat until smooth.
Crack in the Eggs: Crack in the eggs, and combine. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt to eliminate lumps and make the ingredients evenly distributed.
Mix the Wet with the Dry Ingredients
Add Dry to Wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just incorporated (do not overmix).
Fold in Pecans: Add the chopped pecans for a rich, nutty flavor.
Bake the Bars
Transfer Batter: Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
Bake: Add to the preheated oven to bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. The edges should be golden, with a firm but slightly soft center.
Cool and Cut
Cool: Allow the Pecan Chewies to cool all the way in the pan, which will make it easier to cut them.
Slice and Enjoy: Cut into squares or rectangles and serve!
Serving Suggestions:
These Pecan Chewies are scrumptious on their own but could easily be dressed up with these serving suggestions:
Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a decorative touch, return a light dusting of powder using powdered sugar just before serving.
Caramel Sauce Drizzle: For an indulgent element, a drizzle of warm caramel sauce can embody the richness.
Helpful Hint: These chewies go splendidly with a hot cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Serve with Ice Cream: Top with a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream for a sweet dessert.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips:
So these Pecan Chewies are great to make in advance or you can make a batch and freeze them for later!
Room Temperature: Bars are kept about 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container.
Refrigeration: For extended storage, store them in your fridge for about a week. They’ll firm up a bit more in the fridge, but they’re chewy.
Freezing: Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then put it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Make-Ahead: These bars can also be made a day ahead, and are just as good the next day.
Variations to Try:
Have fun switching up your Pecan Chewies with these variations:
Chocolate Chip Pecan Chewies: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a chocolate version.
Coconut Pecan Chewies: Fold in ½ cup of shredded coconut, along with the pecans, for a tropical flavor.
Maple Pecan Chewies: Replace ¼ cup of the sugar with maple syrup and add ½ teaspoon maple extract for maple-pecan flavor.
Spiced Pecan Chewies: Stir in ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg with the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced variation.
Conclusion:
Pecan Chewies are a lovely dessert or snack that is just irresistible to make and just as irresistible to eat. With their buttery richness, nutty crunch and chewy texture, these bars are a hit with kids and adults alike. If you’re sharing with friends or enjoying them solo, these Pecan Chewies are one of those treats you’ll feel like making over and over. Enjoy each delicious bite!
Pecan Chewies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop over low heat until fully melted, avoiding boiling.
- Add white sugar and brown sugar to the melted butter and beat until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract, then add eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined, then fold in chopped pecans.
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Edges should be golden, with a firm but slightly soft center.
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan for easier cutting. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve.