Audrey's Tres Bon Chewy Bread

12 servings Prep: 10 m Cook: 25 m Total: 35 m Beginner
5.0/5 (2)
Audrey's Tres Bon Chewy Bread
Jon Miller for Audrey Breaux Miller. Tres Bon (Very Good) is a perfect phrase to describe this soft, brownie-like cookie bar made with brown sugar, butter, and chopped pecans. These chewy squares are somewhere between a cookie and a brownie.

Ingredients

12 servings
  • 1 lb brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs or 3 medium eggs
  • 1 stick melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 cups self-rising flour

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In a large glass bowl, mix the brown sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla and pecans. Sift in flour and combine with other ingredients.
  3. Press into 9x13 greased baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes. When cool, cut into squares. Delicious warm with a glass of cold milk or cafe noir!

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why are my bars cakey instead of chewy?

A: Make sure you're pressing the batter firmly and evenly into the pan, and don't overbake. They should come out at exactly 25 minutes for the signature chewy texture.

Q: Can I use regular flour instead of self-rising?

A: Yes, add 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt to 2 cups all-purpose flour to substitute for self-rising flour.

Tips and Techniques

Press the batter firmly into the pan for even baking and better texture. These are even better the next day after the flavors have melded. Store in an airtight container to keep them chewy.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • self-rising flour: 2 cups all-purpose flour + 3 tsp baking powder + 1 tsp salt
  • pecans: walnuts or leave them out entirely

Equipment Needed

  • 9x13 baking pan
  • Large glass bowl
  • Sifter or fine-mesh strainer