A buttery brown sugar center with a slightly crunchy outer layer is what makes these chewy and gooey Charleston Chewies an irresistible dessert bar. Many Lowcountry picnics, potlucks, bake sales, and family gatherings aren't complete without these Gullah-inspired delicacies.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter
- 2 cups Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla
- 2 large Eggs room temperature
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Chopped Pecans
- 1 tbsp Powdered Sugar
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and a line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides.
- In a medium saucepan or skillet melt the butter over medium heat until completley melted.
- Add the brown sugar to the saucepan and stir the mixture into the butter until fully incorporated. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes before whisking in the vanilla and eggs.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and fold them together (you can also fold in additional pecans if you'd like).
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick is inserted into the center and comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely before dusting the tops with powdered sugar.
NOTES
- You can use as many or as few chopped pecans as you like. I prefer to sprinkle mine on top, but many recipes suggest mixing them into the batter.
- Try some almond extract for added flavor. Instead of using 2 teaspoons of vanilla use 1 teaspoon and add 1 teaspoon of almond extract for an extra intense nutty flavor that is divine.
- To store Charleston chewies keep them in an air-tight container. They do not need to be refrigerated.
- During the cooking process, the bars will fall during the center. These bars aren’t going to be perfectly even square like brownies, which is what makes them great because they’ll have that dense middle.
For a little added comic relief. Check out Dylan's version.
Charleston Chewies (1969)
Charleston Chewies originated in South Carolina and are a staple of Gullah Geechee cuisine. The chewy dessert is commonly found in bakeries in the South Carolina lowcountry.
Charleston Chewies are made with simple ingredients and have a decadent flavor. Many families have recipes that have been passed down through generations. Some bakers ship their Charleston Chewies nationwide.
