Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe

You know that moment when the smell of cinnamon fills the air, and you’re suddenly transported back to cozy family gatherings? That’s exactly the kind of vibe we’re going to bake into this glorious treat, where pecans and optional chocolate take center stage on the warm, buttery culinary stage. Let’s make some memories, one delicious, nutty bite at a time!

My obsession with cookies might be just as strong as it is for pie or cake. Cookie Bar.

I don’t think I’m ever going to stop making Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars. They have a copious quantity of nutty, toasted pecans.

This is really a bar form brownie. You could even mix in chocolate chunks like I do sometimes.

Like I said before, they just so happen to be cookie-intensive.

Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a nutty flavor through browning.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and structure to the bars.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients; contribute to texture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor, adding warmth and depth.
• All-purpose Flour: Forms the structure; provides carbohydrates.
• Pecans: Add crunch; rich in healthy fats and protein.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Optional; add sweetness and chocolate flavor.

Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (150g) chopped pecans
• 1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

How to Make this Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to begin the preheating. While the oven is heating, prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. Be sure to leave some of the parchment paper hanging over the edges of the pan. This will make it easy to remove the baked good from the pan when it has cooled.

2. In a medium saucepan, allow the butter to melt over medium heat. Keep it on the heat until it reaches a rich, golden brown stage and gives off a lovely, nutty scent—about 5-7 minutes. Then, take the saucepan off the heat and allow it to cool down a bit.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter that has been browned, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix very well until the mixture is smooth.

4. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, and whisk until fully incorporated.

5. In another bowl, combine the plain flour, sodium bicarbonate, and salt, and mix together.

6. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until only just combined.

7. Incorporate the chopped pecans and the chocolate chips (if using), distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.

8. Evenly spread the batter into the baking pan you prepared.

9. In the preheated oven, bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges have turned golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

10. Let the bars cool fully in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into bars and serve.

Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 9×13-inch baking pan
3. Parchment paper
4. Medium saucepan
5. Stove or heat source
6. Large mixing bowl
7. Whisk
8. Mixing spoon or spatula
9. Another mixing bowl
10. Measuring cups
11. Measuring spoons
12. Wire rack
13. Knife for chopping (if pecans are not pre-chopped)
14. Toothpick

FAQ

• Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?You can use salted butter, but make sure to reduce the amount of salt you add to 1/4 teaspoon so the flavor is balanced. A few reasons to use unsalted butter:

  – It allows you to better control the amount of salt in your final product.

• Q: Can I omit the chocolate chips?A: For sure! The only nuts in the cookie bars will be pecans. That makes them a lot less nutty, but they will still be tasty. All the other ingredients in the cookie bars will remain the same.
• Q: How do I brown the butter?A: Medium heat; melt the butter. Stir often, and it will foam, then turn a deep golden brown and smell nutty. This usually takes 5 to 7 minutes.
• Q: Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?A: Yes, using dark brown sugar will impart a deeper molasses flavor to the cookie bars.
• Q: How should I store these cookie bars?A: Keep an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or a freeze for long-term storage.
  
• Q: Can I substitute the pecans with another nut?A: If you desire a different nutty flavor, walnuts or almonds would work well.

Brown Butter Pecan Cookie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Butter with no salt: Instead of this, you can use the same amount of butter with salt, but lessen the salt that’s in the recipe by half.
Granulated sugar: For a deeper caramel flavor, use the same amount of coconut sugar as you would granulated sugar.
Replace light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer taste; use both in equal amounts.
Vanilla extract: For a nutty twist, use half the amount of almond extract.
Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour in a 1:1 ratio for a version that is free of gluten.

Pro Tips

1. Brown Butter Precision When browning the butter, watch it carefully as it can change from perfectly nutty to burnt in seconds. Stir frequently and rely on both the nutty aroma and golden brown color to guide you. Once it’s ready, transfer it to a cool bowl immediately to stop cooking.

2. Room Temperature Eggs Ensure your eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the mixture. This helps them incorporate more smoothly and can improve the texture of the final baked bars.

3. Chilling the Dough If you have time, consider chilling the batter for 30 minutes before baking. This can help enhance the flavors and improve the final texture, giving you chewier and thicker bars.

4. Even Pecan Toasting For an added depth of flavor, toast the chopped pecans before mixing them into the batter. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning.

5. Customized Chocolate If you are using chocolate chips, consider using a combination of semi-sweet and dark chocolate to balance sweetness and enhance the overall chocolate flavor in the bars. This can also be tailored to personal preference.