This recipe is so versatile you can use any type of chocolate, nut or dried fruit. Don’t expect leftovers!
Recipe information
Yield
makes 24 bars
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch pan.
Step 2
In a large bowl or mixer, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and water, and mix.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and soda. Add flour mixture to butter and egg mixture. Mix just enough to make sure ingredients are well combined, being sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Step 4
Stir in chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans.
Step 5
Spread dough evenly in greased baking pan, smoothing the surface with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle additional 1 cup pecans on top and gently press into dough enough so that they do not move when the pan moves.
Step 6
Bake for 25-30 minutes in the center of the oven. Check bars after 25 minutes. If a toothpick comes out of the dough clean, the bars are done. If not, return bars to oven for another 5 minutes. When the bars are done, the edges will be very lightly browned. Cool on a rack. Cut with a sharp knife when cool six lengthwise and four across to get 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.
Tips
Step 7
Replace vanilla with natural maple flavor.
Step 8
Use 3/4 cup dried coconut instead of 1 cup pecans in the bar and sprinkle 1/2 cup coconut on the top before baking.
Nutritional Information
Step 9
Serving size: 1 bar
Step 10
Calories: 237
Step 11
Fat: 13g (48.3% calories from fat)
Step 12
Cholesterol: 33mg
Step 13
Sodium: 77mg
Step 14
Total Carbohydrate: 29g
Step 15
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Step 16
Protein: 2g
