Natchez Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Sweet and Savory Treat
If you’re looking for a quick, easy-to-make, and absolutely mouthwatering dessert, look no further than this Natchez Cookies recipe. These cookies feature a crispy graham cracker base topped with a rich caramelized topping made of butter, brown sugar, and vanilla, then finished with a sprinkle of toasted pecans and a layer of melty chocolate chips. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, this cookie bar is ideal for gatherings and will surely become a crowd favorite. With a prep time of just 12 minutes and a total cooking time of only 10 minutes, these cookies are the ultimate quick dessert for any occasion.
Prep Time: 12 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 22 Minutes
Yield: 32 Servings
Recipe Category: Bar Cookie
Servings: 32
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Natchez Cookies
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Graham crackers | 15 pieces |
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup |
| Dark brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Chopped pecans (toasted) | 1 1/3 cups |
| Semi-sweet chocolate chips | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 161.8 |
| Fat | 11.3g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 15.2mg |
| Sodium | 43.8mg |
| Carbohydrates | 15.7g |
| Fiber | 0.9g |
| Sugar | 11.8g |
| Protein | 1.1g |
Instructions for Making Natchez Cookies
-
Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Lightly butter a large 11 x 17-inch cookie sheet to ensure the cookies come off easily once baked.
โLink To Shareโ is your all-in-one marketing platform, making it easy and professional to direct your audience to everything you offer. โข Modern, customizable bio pages โข Link shortening with advanced analytics โข Interactive, brandable QR codes โข Host static sites and manage your code โข Multiple web tools to grow your business -
-
Arrange Graham Crackers: Lay the graham crackers side by side, with the edges just touching, on your prepared cookie sheet. You want to cover the entire sheet with the crackers, forming a nice base for your cookie bars.
-
Make the Caramel Topping: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, stir in the dark brown sugar and continue stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it cook for about 1 minute. You should see bubbles forming in the caramel. Once the boiling time is up, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the caramel.
-
Pour the Caramel Mixture: Immediately pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the graham crackers. Use a spatula to ensure that the caramel is spread out across all of the crackers, covering them completely.
-
Top with Pecans: Sprinkle the toasted pecans generously over the caramel layer. The warmth of the caramel will help the pecans stick in place.
-
Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the caramel bubbles and becomes a deep golden brown. Keep an eye on it to ensure the caramel doesnโt burn.
-
Add Chocolate Chips: Once the cookies are done baking, remove the sheet from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over the hot caramel layer. Let the chocolate chips melt for about 4 minutes. As they melt, use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly across the cookies, forming a smooth layer of melted chocolate.
-
Cool and Slice: After spreading the chocolate, allow the cookies to cool slightly before cutting them. Once the chocolate is firm enough to handle, carefully cut the cookies along the edges of the graham crackers, forming square or rectangular pieces. If needed, use a sharp knife to cut through the chocolate and caramel layer for clean edges.
-
Let Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. The cooling process helps the layers set and makes it easier to separate the cookies.
-
Serve: Once cooled, cut each cookie bar in half for bite-sized portions, or serve them as whole pieces for larger servings. These cookies can be prepared a day in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
Tips and Variations for Natchez Cookies
-
Add Chocolate Variations: While the recipe uses semi-sweet chocolate chips, you can experiment with other types of chocolate. Try dark chocolate for a more intense cocoa flavor, or white chocolate for a sweeter twist.
-
Nut-Free Version: If you have nut allergies or prefer a nut-free version, you can omit the pecans entirely or replace them with sunflower seeds or coconut flakes for added texture.
-
Make it Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free option, swap the regular graham crackers for gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or another suitable gluten-free biscuit.
-
Storage: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, making them perfect for preparing ahead of time for parties or holidays.
Final Thoughts
These Natchez Cookies are a simple yet indulgent dessert, featuring the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy. Whether youโre hosting a family gathering, a holiday get-together, or just craving a quick treat, these cookies are sure to impress. The caramelized graham cracker base, combined with toasted pecans and smooth melted chocolate, makes for a snack that everyone will love. With minimal prep time and a quick bake, youโll have a batch of these irresistible cookies ready to enjoy in just 22 minutes.
Make these Natchez Cookies for your next event, and watch them disappear as quickly as they are made.
