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Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie Bars

If you're a fan of Brownies, you're going to love these Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie Bars. These are easy to make with a lot of brown sugar for a dense and moist texture.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: desert, Snack
Cuisine: North American
Keyword: christmas cookies, cookie bars, holiday baking
Servings: 16 bars
Calories: 226kcal
Author: Julia Pinney

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecans chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees f/180 degrees c. Grease and line with parchment paper a deep sided 8 x 8 inch baking pan. Set aside.
  • Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar and melted butter. Mix until just combined, about one minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  • Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in chopped pecans.
  • Pour into prepared baking pan and bake between 25 - 35 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center to check for doneness. If they are browning too quickly, I recommend placing a sheet of aluminum foil over the top until they finish baking.
  • Remove from oven and place baking pan on a cooling rack. Leave to cool.
  • Cut into squares when cooled and store in an airtight container.

*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Notes

    1. Measure ingredients correctly - This recipe calls for packed brown sugar. This means that you fill it in your measuring cup and pack it down until you have filled it to the top. Alternatively, you can weigh the sugar. The recipe cards converts to metric with the click of a button.
    1. Don't over mix the batter - To achieve a chewy texture, you don't want to mix the batter too long. Just mix it long enough to combine the ingredients. Over mixing will result in a more cake like texture.
    1. Watch baking time - Baking time stated is 30 minutes. Your oven could bake them quicker or they may take a little longer. I recommend checking them at 25 minutes. These will be baked when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs. One reader has mentioned these taking more than 40 minutes with the center not fully baked.  I recommend placing a sheet of aluminum foil over the top at 30 minutes if they have not fully baked through yet.
    1. Allow to cool completely - These will have the best texture when they have cooled completely. They are even great cold from the fridge.
Nutrition Facts
Brown Sugar Pecan Cookie Bars
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie bar)
Calories 226 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 50mg17%
Sodium 166mg7%
Potassium 68mg2%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugar 27g30%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 228IU5%
Calcium 47mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.