These chewy, sugary bars are delightfuland great for a potluck.

The result is sweet, chewy, decadentand intoxicatingly delicious.

What Are Charleston Chewies?

Southern Living Charleston Chewies cut on a plate to serve with a glass of milk

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They are easy to make and come together quickly.

In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar, cooking and stirring until smooth.

Then transfer the butter mixture to a large bowl and cool.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies ingredients

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Step 2: Add remaining ingredients:Whisk the eggs and vanilla into the brown sugar mixture.

Fold in the pecans and flour until evenly combined.

Now spread the batter into the baking dish and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies cut and ready to serve with a glass of milk

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Cool on a wire rack.

Use a fine mesh strainer to dust the bars with powdered sugar and cut them into squares.

What Do Charleston Chewies Taste Like?

Southern Living Charleston Chewies melting the butter and sugar together

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As the bars cool to completion, they get slightly chewierhence their name.

Theyre just perfect on their own with a glass of ice-cold milk.

Or serve with slow-churn vanilla or butter-pecan ice cream to round out the treat and elevate it for company.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies letting the butter and sugar mixture cool in a bowl

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Ingredients

Baking spray with flour

3/4cup(6 oz.

Evenly coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with baking spray.

Combine butter and sugar:

Melt butter in a medium nonstick saucepan over low.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies whisking in eggs

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Add brown sugar, and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth, about 1 minute.

Transfer to a large heatproof bowl, and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients:

Whisk eggs and vanilla into brown sugar mixture until well combined and smooth.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies stirring in the flour and pecans

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Spread batter evenly into prepared baking dish.

Remove from oven, and let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes.

Cool and cut:

Invert bars from baking dish onto a cutting board.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies spreading the batter in the pan

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Using a fine mesh strainer, dust bars with powdered sugar; cut into 24 squares.

Serve warm, or let cool completely.

But its not a requirement.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies after baking on a cooling rack to cool

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Leave off the powdered sugar if you so choose.

Give these a unique twist by substituting walnuts or macadamia nuts in the recipe, for instance.

Southern Living Charleston Chewies on a cutting board to cut

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Southern Living Charleston Chewies dusted with powdered sugar

Credit:Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely