Pecan Chewies

Pecan chewies are a classic Southern treat that are so quick and easy to make. They’re bursting with pecan toffee flavor, like your favorite pecan pie in soft chewy bar form.

Hey folks! It’s me again! Stacey Little from Southern Bite. Isn’t it awesome that I got asked to post again? It’s like hosting Saturday Night Live… I feel like I’m important or something for being asked back! It is such a pleasure and an honor to be able to share another one of my favorite recipes with y’all.  

Have you ever heard of pecan chewies (also known as Charleston chewies)? They’re a traditional Southern treat with a soft texture like blondies, a slight chew, and a toffee flavor that is made for the pecan lover in your life. If you know someone who can’t get enough of Southern pecan pie, this is the recipe for them. Pecan chewy bars are made with simple baking essentials you probably already have in your kitchen: butter, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, self-rising flour, vanilla, and pecans. 

They’re also so quick and easy to make. All you need to do is slowly combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl, pour the batter into a baking dish, and bake them for about 45 minutes. The melted butter combined with the brown sugar gives the pecan chewy bar its butterscotch/toffee flavor, like a pecan pie. One chewy bite and you’ll be addicted!

Southern pecan chewies are a great bar to make ahead and take to your next potluck, tailgating party, or picnic. Ready to give this recipe a go?

Recipe Ingredients

• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Light brown sugar (if you only have dark, it’ll work just fine)
• Eggs
• Self-rising flour
• Chopped pecans
• Vanilla extract

How to Make Pecan Chewies

First, line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and grease it with cooking spray.

Then melt the butter and place it in a large bowl with…

Your granulated sugar and brown sugar.

Give that a good stir.

Next, beat your eggs…

And add the beaten eggs to the mixing bowl.

Add the flour and stir well. 

Then add the pecans and vanilla and combine.

The batter is going to be rather thick and hard to stir, but keep going. 

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

Spread to cover the bottom of the dish with fingers or a spatula dipped in water.

Bake for approximately 40 to 50 minutes, being cautious not to overcook.

You want them to remain chewy, hence the name!

Allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then lift them out of the baking dish using the overlapping parchment paper edges.

Let them cool completely on a wire rack or a similar surface before cutting them into bars.

Look at all these pecan chewies you have to enjoy. Or, you know, share with friends and family!

Oops, I couldn’t help myself! Pecan chewies are just too good, y’all!

Storage

• Store your pecan bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They don’t need to be refrigerated.
• Alternatively, freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Recipe Notes

• Feel free to substitute the pecans for walnuts. I know how much cheaper they can be!
• You want to use your sharpest knife to cut the bars for the cleanest edges.
• For chocolate pecan chewies, fold 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips of your choice into the batter when you add the pecans. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are my preference.
• If you like, add a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
• To enhance the nutty flavor, use 1 teaspoon of almond extract and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract instead of vanilla only.

Here are more pecan treats to enjoy:

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Pecan Pie Muffins

Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Pecan Bars

Pecan Pie Cake

Snowball Cookies With Pecans

 

Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we shall have each other.

~Joshua Liebman