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Brown Sugar Pecan Blondies

written by Ashley Fehr

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5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 16

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Last updated on May 15, 2024

Dense, chewy blondies loaded with pecans and topped with a brown sugar glaze and chopped pecans — the perfect holiday bar for Christmas or Thanksgiving!

brown sugar pecan blondies cut in triangles on a sheet pan topped with chopped pecans

So, when I was trying to narrow down my holiday baking recipe ideas that I was going to share with you this fall, I was thinking back to what I posted last year and what was popular.

These Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies were immediately popular, so I was trying to think of some variations I could do with this whole “brown sugar pecan” theme.

So, blondies. Obviously.

brown sugar pecan blondies cut in triangles and stored in a purple gift box with tissue

I am a big fan of the Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies, but I have to say…. I like these even more. Know why?

Because blondies are Christmas cookies for moms with 10 month old babes around their legs, wiping snot on their yoga pants.

But seriously. I love a good cookie (I love many, many cookies). But taking the time to roll cookies out and bake pan after pan? Not as awesome.

brown sugar pecan blondies cut in triangles two stacked together on black background

Bar cookies? That’s where it’s at.

I was always one of those people who refused to call a bar a cookie, but I’ve totally changed my tune this year. Bars are Busy Mom Cookies — spread it in a pan and bake! And so you might just see a few more “bar cookies” popping up over here during this holiday season (like these Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Blondies?)…. And I have to say, I don’t mind!

Do you? 😉

brown sugar pecan blondies packed in purple gift box with gift tags all around
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Brown Sugar Pecan Blondies

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 1 vote
Dense, chewy blondies loaded with pecans and topped with a brown sugar glaze and chopped pecans — the perfect holiday bar for Christmas or Thanksgiving!
Review
Print
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Servings 16
Calories 219cal

Ingredients

Blondies

  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Brown Sugar Frosting

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8″ pan with tin foil and spray with non stick spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar and whisk until smooth. Add egg and whisk until combined. Add vanilla, salt, and flours and stir just until combined.
  • Stir in pecans and spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Set aside.
  • Frosting: In a small pot, combine brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, and boil for 3-4 minutes until it comes together (it will be smooth and look like caramel). Stir in butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
  • Spread immediately over blondies. (If frosting firms up before you spread, you can always reheat it, or add a little more milk and try again). Sprinkle with toasted pecans.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature before slicing. Store in air tight container for 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months.

Notes

*I used 50% whole wheat flour, but you can use 100% all purpose or whole wheat according to your tastes if you desire. You don’t notice the whole wheat flour!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 219cal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 68mg | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.6mg

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  4. marcie says

    Let’s just say I’ve never forgotten those brown sugar pecan cookies of yours and I still can’t wait to try them! These blondies look extra delicious because they’re nice and thick. Yum!

    Reply

  11. Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says

    Blondies rule! I made some last weekend for the first time after eating a few less-than tasty ones over the years. I was surprised how good they can actually be. I just wish I covered mine in that gorgeous brown sugar frosting. These are gorgeous! Pinned!

    Reply

  13. Dorothy Dunton says

    Hi Ashley! Bar cookies were my go to when I was a working Mom years ago! Snot on the pants and spit up the shoulder are familiar memories! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says

    You are all about the blondies! These look delicious. I love how you cut them at a diagonal which totally “Fancies” them up and then I can serve them on my cookie platter at Christmas. Because ya know, I got the yoga pants/snot fiasco going on too girl.

    Reply
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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