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in dessert· Recipes

Pecan Brownie Bars

I had my first taste of Pecan Brownie Bars a few months ago, and knew I loved them. What surprised me was that my husband loved them. He’s not big into sweets- so when he likes something I like to take notice. I am making a batch of these today and thought I’d share the recipe- these are so quick and easy to make, and a really nice “change of pace” from many brownies.

nielsen massey pure vanilla extract pure vanilla bean paste
I will note, yet again, that I do use higher quality Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Pastes (I like the Nielsen Massey brand a lot lately!). They simply make things taste better. A little goes a very long way. I’m actually fast becoming obsessed with the paste. You can SEE the flecks of vanilla beans in it.  I love it.

What you need:

2 sticks butter+ 2 TBSP  (I use unsalted)

2 1/3 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract or paste — I did 2 teaspoons of paste and a splash of extract. 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 cups chopped pecans (We grabbed a bag of already chopped pecans at the store.  They were almost too small for the bars.  Great for kids, but I think we’ll do a bit of a larger chopping and do it ourselves next time.)

What to do

In a  saucepan, melt butter and whisk in the brown sugar over low to medium heat until sugar is dissolved.

(Here’s where the kids can really help!)  In a small bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla. Gradually add hot sugar mixture, stirring constantly. (We whisk). Next, add baking powder and flour gradually.  Mix well (again, good thing for kids to help with!) Stir in pecans last. 
Put batter into a greased 9×13 baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs and edges are crisp. Cool.  Enjoy.  Enjoy again. 

pecanbrownie bars

This recipe is inspired from Taste of Home, but changed up a bit for our tastes -and in hopes of mimicking the ones we had back in November.  These are pretty close.  I’ll make them again and change things up a bit more.

 I did receive samples of Nielsen Massey products to try, opinions are my own.

About Brett

I'm a 40 something lifestyle blogger living in Connecticut with my husband and our 3 kids, plus our two rescue pups. We love to hike, travel, play games, watch movies, and just be outside together! Having 3 active kids makes for a hectic schedule and I try to share content, recipes and other things that can help to make today's busy family life simpler, easier, or just plain more fun!

I started working full time at a local middle school in fall 2021 and some of my students are insistent that I am mean.

Comments

  1. Amy N. says

    These look WONDERFUL!! I’ve never heard of the vanilla paste, I’ll have to check that out. Thanks!

  6. Crystal W says

    Where do you find the paste I’d love to use it and my friend who owns a cafe will want to know too!

  8. Brenda Leon says

    These look and sound so yummy! I must make me some as soon as I buy all the ingredients needed. I know my family will love them. Thanks for another recipe to make us happy!!

  9. Amanda says

    These look so yummy! I absolutely love pecans but my husband is allergic. I wonder if they’d turn out as well using almonds?

  13. DiAnne Sundberg says

    I love pecans and I love brownies, sounds like a match made in Heaven! Wish I had one now! Lol have to make some soon!Thanks for sharing!

  14. Cyndi N says

    Yummy! These look fabulous. Thanks for sharing the recipe & pics (now I need something sweet lol).

  15. Winningmama2013 says

    OMG this recipe sounds so good. I love pecans so this brownie recipe will be something i will love.

  23. Karen Hand says

    Anything with pecans in it has to be good. Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to make these tonight.

  24. Jane Ritz says

    Those look so yummy. I’ll have to make them for my grandchildren. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  28. Jo Ann Moffatt says

    I love pecans sooooo much! Thank you for this recipe – I am tempted to go and make them right now!

  36. jessica pierce says

    My mom would love love love these, i cant bake but she can and im going to give her the recipe, thanks!

  37. terri tillman says

    two of my favorite words. ‘pecans’ and ‘brownies’. these look very yummy. i will be emailing the recipe to myself. thank you.

  42. Cheryl Rahkonen says

    Thanks for this great recipe. I have been looking for a different recipe that would satisfy my sweet tooth. The picture makes my mouth water.

  44. charj says

    These would be great to veganize by replacing the eggs and butter with vegan substitutes. Also, I think I’ll try them with spelt flour or whole wheat pastry flour as well.

  55. Dorothy Boucher says

    sounds yummy and by the picture you have there , they look delicious and i am looking forward to trying these.. thanks for sharing @tisonlyme143

  58. Sandra Beeman says

    This recipe is an excellent change-up for the same old brownies. Quality vanilla does make a difference for the better, but I’ve never seen the brand shown. Most importantly, these brownies look scrumptious!

  61. Mary says

    I’ve never heard of vanilla paste before! The ideas of how to use this amazing product are just building up inside my head, lol. This recipe looks amazing, my husband is a huge fan of pecans. I think we’ll have to try this one out.

  67. Lisa R says

    wow, this looks so different to me. I am used to just plain brownies. Where’s the ice cream? I want to try it on top of it

    sibabe64 at ptd dot net

  69. Paula V says

    Those look delish. I love pecans, pecan pie, pecan anything…and in brownie form…how can that go wrong?

  70. Catherine S says

    That looks scrumptious — and you’ve reminded me to restock my pantry with a really GOOD vanilla extract.

  74. Leah Lucas says

    These look so delicious! You can just feel how moist they would be to bite into them!! I am definitely making these treats!

  78. Nena Sinclair says

    Wow, these look so amazing! I’ve got out of town company coming soon and I’m trying to do extra baking to freeze, and this will be at the top of my list! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂

  83. Jennifer Williams says

    I agree that the quality of the ingredients you use make a much better product. I would love to try to make these. I will try to find the extract you are using.

  84. Stephanie says

    These look so good! Everyone in my house love pecans, so I’ll definitely be trying this recipe. 🙂

  85. Jo Ann Moffatt says

    My kids both love pecans so they are bound to love this recipe. Thank you for posting it.

  89. Ari says

    I’m usually not a fan of any kind of change from a original chocolate brownie, but just the photos have convinced me that these would be delicious.

  92. Jennifer Hedden says

    These bars look so delicious. I love sweets and brownies are my favorite. I enjoying trying new recipes, especially one for sweet treats. I have never used this brand of vanilla products, but I will definitely look for it next time I go shopping and give it a try. I have also never used vanilla bean paste at all. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thank you for sharing!

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