If you love old-fashioned holiday recipes, you’re going to adore these Vintage Chewy Noels. This recipe comes straight from the hand-written cards passed from one generation to the next — simple ingredients, a quick bake, and that nostalgic chewy texture that tastes like Christmas.
These bars are soft, caramel-like, lightly nutty, and covered in a snowy dusting of powdered sugar. They’re the kind of cookie that makes you want to pour a cup of coffee, turn on the Christmas lights, and sneak “just one more.” And the best part? They take about 5 minutes to stir together and less than 25 minutes to bake.
Perfect for cookie trays, holiday parties, gifting, or reviving a vintage family tradition!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and easy — one bowl, no mixer required.
- Vintage nostalgia — just like grandma used to make.
- Soft, chewy texture — somewhere between a chewy blondie and a nut bar.
- Holiday-ready — simple to decorate with powdered sugar or festive icing.
Vintage Chewy Noels
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
1. Prep the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Set a wire cooling rack over a sheet of parchment for later.
- Place 2 tablespoons of butter into a 9×9 baking pan and slide it into the oven while it preheats. Let the butter melt completely but don’t let it burn. Remove from oven.
2. Mix the Batter
- In a medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar, chopped nuts, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the beaten eggs and vanilla, stirring until everything is fully combined.
3. Pour (but do NOT stir!)
- Carefully pour the batter over the melted butter in the baking pan.
Do not stir — that buttery layer is what gives these bars their magical texture.
4. Bake
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden.
5. Powdered Sugar Magic
- While the bars are hot, sift a generous layer of powdered sugar over the top.
- Immediately invert the pan onto the wire rack. Lift the pan away and let the bars cool completely.
- Dust again with powdered sugar once cooled.
6. Slice & Decorate
Cut into squares and decorate with piped icing, holiday words, or colored sprinkles.
Tips for Perfect Chewy Noels
- Don’t skip the “do not stir” step. The butter layer helps form a caramelized, chewy base.
- Use fresher nuts for the best flavor. Pecans and walnuts both work beautifully.
- Add more powdered sugar if shipping or gifting — it protects the bars and looks festive.
- Let them cool fully before cutting to avoid crumbly edges.
How to Store
These bars keep beautifully!
- At room temperature: 3–4 days in an airtight container
- Refrigerated: up to 1 week
- Frozen: up to 3 months (freeze in layers with parchment between squares)
Final Thoughts
Vintage Chewy Noels are the kind of Christmas cookie that feels like the holidays — simple, nostalgic, irresistibly chewy, and dusted like freshly fallen snow. If you’re looking to bring a little old-school charm to your cookie trays this year, this recipe is a must-bake.