Oatmeal Chocolate Chip-Pecan Cookie Bars

Course Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword chocolate-chip-cookie-bars, oatmeal-chocolate-chip-pecan-cookie-bars

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Cooling Time 2

Total Time 2 50

Servings bars

Calories 209kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 6-8 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
Spray a 13x9-inch metal non-stick baking pan with baking spray or brush with melted butter.
In a medium size mixing bowl use a whisk to combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt.
Using an electric mixer cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
Beat for 2 minutes over medium-high speed until fluffy and combined. To the bowl, add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
Lower the speed of the mixer and gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat just until fully moistened.
Mix the entire package of milk chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans into the dough by hand.
Spread the cookie dough into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center shows moist crumbs.
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then use a sharp knife to slice into bars.

Oatmeal - This recipe uses quick cooking not instant oatmeal. You could adapt it using old fashioned oats but I'd recommend pulsing them a couple of times in a food processor to refine the texture.
Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter in these cookie bars.
Nuts - You could substitute walnuts, almonds or macadamia nuts in place of the pecans. I would still recommend toasting the nuts prior to adding to the batter.
Chocolate Chips - You can use semi-sweet chips or dark chocolate chips in these cookie bars.
Raisins - You could replace the chocolate chips with raisins for pecan oatmeal raisin bars.
Coconut - You could add 1 cup of sweetened flaked coconut to these pecan bars for a tropical twist.