Buttery Pecan Chewies Recipe: Sweet Bliss in Every Bite

Soft, gooey, and packed with nutty goodness, these irresistible pecan chewies recipe delights will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Southern kitchens have long cherished this sweet treat that combines rich caramel notes with crunchy pecans.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of chewy texture and deep, satisfying flavors.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a dessert that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Warm from the oven, these chewies boast a golden-brown exterior that gives way to a delectable, melt-in-your-mouth center.

Listeners often rave about how these pecan chewies become an instant favorite at potlucks and family gatherings.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that turns ordinary moments into sweet memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 342 kcal

Servings: 13

Must Have Ingredients for Pecan Chewies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation that helps create soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Deliver deep sweetness and help create crispy edges with caramelized undertones.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements the nutty pecans.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to chewy, tender consistency.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates sturdy base and helps cookies hold their shape.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, soft rise and prevents dense, heavy results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans: Introduces delightful crunch, nutty flavor, and rustic texture to the chewies.

Kitchen Tools to Make Perfect Pecan Chewies

• 9×13 inch baking dish: Essential for creating the perfect pecan chewies bar size.
• Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk or electric mixer: Great for blending butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla evenly.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps remove lumps from flour and creates a lighter texture.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for folding in pecans and spreading batter evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooling rack: Allows bars to cool completely and prevents soggy bottoms.

How to Bake Soft and Chewy Pecan Bars

• Prepping the Stage

Get your kitchen ready by warming up the oven and preparing a cozy baking dish with a light butter coating.

• Buttery Magic

Melt the butter and dance it together with sugars until they become best friends, then welcome vanilla and eggs to the party.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Gently combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a soft, whispered mixture.

• Blending Worlds

Slowly marry the wet and dry ingredients, creating a smooth harmony, then sprinkle in crunchy pecan friends.

• Baking Adventure

Spread the batter across the dish like a delicious landscape and let the oven transform it into golden deliciousness for about 30 minutes.

• Cooling and Sharing

Allow your creation to rest and cool completely, then slice into delightful squares ready to make taste buds dance with joy.

Recipe Tweaks and Ideas for Pecan Chewies

• Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before adding to the batter, which intensifies their rich, earthy flavor and adds a deeper crunch.
• Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter for a decadent variation that complements the pecan's natural sweetness.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these chewies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful treat.
• Drizzle warm caramel sauce or dust with powdered sugar just before serving to elevate the dessert's presentation and add an extra layer of indulgence.

How to Serve Pecan Chewies at Any Gathering

• Nutty Dessert Companion: Serve these pecan chewies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a luxurious temperature contrast and creamy texture.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair the bars with hot Earl Grey tea or coffee, allowing the rich pecan flavors to complement the warm beverage's subtle notes.
• Elegant Presentation Tip: Dust the cooled pecan chewies with powdered sugar and arrange on a rustic wooden board for a stunning dessert display that highlights their golden-brown color and inviting texture.
• Party Platter Magic: Cut the bars into smaller bite-sized squares and arrange on a decorative platter for easy sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, or holiday celebrations.

Storage Tips for Pecan Chewies That Stay Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful pecan chewies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch ahead of time and freeze the uncut bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, lasting up to 3 weeks for convenient snacking.
• Room Temperature Tip: Allow chilled bars to sit at ambient temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their soft, chewy texture and enhance flavor profile.
• Smart Portioning Trick: Cut bars into individual servings, separate with parchment paper, and stack in storage containers to prevent sticking and maintain perfect shape during storage.

Irresistible Pecan Chewies Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Gooey pecan chewies deliver Southern comfort through buttery, caramel-like squares with crisp pecans. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this dessert a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (226 grams/2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100 grams) chopped pecans
• 3 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to ensure effortless removal.
2. Base Mixture: Melt butter until silky, then vigorously whisk with brown and white sugars until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, creamy blend with a rich caramel-like texture.
3. Liquid Integration: Introduce vanilla extract and eggs into the sugar base, blending thoroughly until the mixture achieves a glossy, uniform appearance that promises decadent results.
4. Dry Component Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, eliminating potential lumps and creating a smooth, consistent dry ingredient foundation.
5. Batter Creation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using gentle strokes to combine without overworking the batter, ensuring a tender final texture.
6. Pecan Incorporation: Gently fold chopped pecans throughout the batter, distributing the nutty elements evenly to guarantee a perfect crunch in every bite.
7. Baking Preparation: Spread the batter into the prepared pan, carefully smoothing it to create an even surface that reaches all corners of the baking dish.
8. Oven Transformation: Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and slightly crisp edges that signal the perfect level of doneness.
9. Cooling and Serving: Allow the pecan chewies to cool completely in the baking dish for at least one hour, then slice into squares and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Butter Melting Technique: Melt butter slowly and gently to prevent burning and ensure smooth incorporation with sugars.
• Overmixing Warning: Stir batter just until ingredients combine to maintain a tender, chewy texture and prevent tough results.
• Pecan Distribution Tip: Chop pecans uniformly and fold gently to ensure even nut placement throughout the batter.
• Cooling Crucial Step: Allow complete cooling for at least one hour to help bars set properly and develop optimal chewy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 342
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg