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 Is the Brown Sugar: For brown sugar, be sure to pack into your cup tightly to yield the correct amount.
Alternative Sweeteners: If you want a more robust flavor, replace the light brown sugar with dark brown sugar.
Vanilla Extract
Warm Flavor: The vanilla smooths the overall flavor but also catches the nuttiness of the pecans.
For Flavors Alternative: Add a drop of almond extract, if you like almond with pecans, for different flavor.
All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder and Salt
Flour: All-purpose flour adds structure and chew to these bars.
Sift for Smoothness: Sifting the flour, baking powder and salt eliminates lumps and guarantees even mixing.
Baking Powder for Lightness: Baking powder provides a little rise to the chewies, to balance out the dense, chewy texture.
Chopped Pecans
Nutty Goodness Pecans offer these chewy treats the crunch and buttery flavor you can expect from pecans, which makes them the perfect way to round out the sweetness.
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: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to make removing the bars easier.
Melt the Butter
Melt Butter: In a large microwave safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave in 15-second intervals; alternatively, let it melt over low heat in a small saucepan until completely melted (but 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
Dry ingredients sifted: To unclump the lumps, sift flour, baking powder and salt into a small bowl.
Combine the Wet Ingredients with the Dry
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 completely in the pan, which makes them easier to cut.
Slice & Serve: Cut into squares or rectangles and serve!
Serving Suggestions:
Pecan Chewies are beautiful on their own, but you can elevate them easily with one of the following serving ideas:
Dust with Powdered Sugar: For an embellished look, lightly dust with powdered sugar right before serving.
Drizzle of Caramel Sauce: A bit of indulgence can be made by drizzling warm caramel sauce to match the decadence.
Good to Know: These chewy cookies make a nice companion to a hot cup of coffee or tea for a midafternoon boost.
Ice Cream Scoop: Serve with a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream for 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: Substitute ¼ cup of the sugar for maple syrup and add ½ teaspoon maple extract for maple-pecan flavor.
Spiced Pecan Chewies: With the dry ingredients, stir in ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg 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.