Chewy Bars — like a blonde brownie, packed with pecans and chocolate chips. These sweet, dense bars are easy to make and perfect for snacking or dessert.
Although the original name for this recipe was “Chewy Bread,” the result is a rich, chewy bar — more like a blondie than bread. The base is simple: butter, brown sugar, eggs and self-rising flour. Most versions include nuts and some include chocolate chips. This version combines both for maximum flavor and texture.
These bars are forgiving, quick to prepare, and bake into a tender, slightly chewy interior with crisp, buttery edges — which, like brownies, are the best part.
Chewy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box (about 2 cups) light brown sugar
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease or line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment.
- Combine the brown sugar, melted butter, beaten eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Add the self-rising flour one cup at a time, mixing until the batter is uniform. The batter should be thicker than cake batter but thinner than typical brownie batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it to the corners.
- Evenly sprinkle the chopped pecans over the batter, then the chocolate chips. Tap the pan gently on the counter so nuts and chips settle slightly into the batter.
- Bake at 325°F (165°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars chewy.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
For variation, swap pecans for walnuts or add a handful of white chocolate chips. Using room-temperature eggs helps the batter blend smoothly. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
These chewy bars are versatile and pair well with coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of brown sugar, butter and chocolate chips creates a rich, caramel-like flavor, while nuts add contrast and crunch.
Looking for more bar recipes? Try lemon pie bars, birthday blondies, chocolate peanut butter cracker bars, magic turtle bars, chocolate brownie peanut butter bars, seven layer magic bars, or gooey chocolate pecan pie bars for more variety.
