Skip to main content

Pecan Chewies

This recipe is one I have from my mother. 
She had the habit on jotting recipes on yellow legal paper. 
I will forever associate those pads with my mom and cooking!
Many of her recipes call for oleo. I always have to smile when I see this term. Several years back, a group of us were looking through some recipes and came across one calling for oleo. Not being "from around here," one of the friends asked with a quizzical look, "What in the world is oleo?!" Of course, it gave the rest of us a good laugh. I don't know of a person who was raised in the South during the 50's, 60's and 70's who doesn't know that oleo is margarine! 
I grew up on Parkay and Blue Bonnet!


What is the difference in butter and oleo? 
Butter is made from dairy cream. United States law requires that butter contain at least 80 percent butterfat, which is derived from milk products.



Margarine is a nondairy product containing at least 80 percent fat, which is generally derived from plant oils - such as corn or soybeans. 

Until 1952, the law required that margarine producers use the name "oleomargarine" to describe their product. Since that time, the terms "margarine" and “oleo” have been interchangeable. In our area, "butter", "oleo", and "margarine" were all used interchangeably. If you meant authentic butter, you called it "real butter." 

 I was laughing with my friend, Julie, in Sunday School just a couple of week ago about using butter vs. margarine. Although we grew up on oleo, we are both dyed-in-the-wool users of the "real stuff" now. There's just no substitute for the taste of real butter!


Pecan Chewies

Pecan Chewies

After baking, these can be dusted with powder sugar, if you like!

1 stick oleo (I used a stick of salted butter.)
1 box light brown sugar
3 eggs, well beaten (room tepterature)
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt oleo (butter) over low heat.
Stir in brown sugar; mix well.
Stir in eggs.
Sift baking powder into flour; add to sugar mixture. Mix well.
Fold in nuts.
Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes. (In my oven, it took only about 40 minutes.)
Labels:

Comments

  1. EmilyNovember 5, 2010 at 11:53 AM

    My, but those look good Connie! I think I'm going to add these to my Thanksgiving menu. They are just the thing my family would really enjoy! And they are quite simple to make too! Thanks for sharing your mom's recipe with us.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing! I love comments!

Popular posts from this blog

Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup Substitute - Regular and Reduced-Fat Versions

Although very convenient, commercially prepared condensed soups are expensive and may contain additives and ingredients you'd prefer to skip. You can use these condensed soup substitutes in dishes instead of commercially prepared condensed soups. These homemade substitutes are very easy and quick to make! They taste much better, too. I have almost stopped purchasing the canned versions. Using heart-healthy butter spreads, low-fat or fat-free milk, and low-sodium broth allows you to make these recipes more healthful. You can customize with these simple recipes by adding other seasonings such as garlic powder, celery salt, onion powder, etc. Condensed Cream of Celery Soup Condensed Cream of Chicken Substitute Condensed Cream of Mushroom Substitute Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup Substitute 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese salt, to taste Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat; add flour and whisk until s...
35 comments
Read more

Dough Burgers

  Dough Burgers Dough burgers are popular in our neck of the woods. Phillips Grocery in Oxford has received national acclaim for their top-secret-recipe dough burger. I ate two while I was staying at the hospital with my dad recently! It is the nearest restaurant!  When Larry and I were newlyweds and living in New Albany, we loved going to Latham’s for their yummy version of this delicious sandwich. Several other area cities also offer well-known versions of this unique burger. Tupelo’s Johnny’s Drive-In has the "Johnnieburger," and Corinth even has a festival named in honor of their dough burger, affectionately known as “The Slugburger.” Here in our own dear Pontotoc, we love the "Wonderburger" at Butcher Block! Dough burgers supposedly originated during the Great Depression. Adding flour was a great way to stretch hamburger meat. While possibly born out of necessity, it has remained a part of the Southern diet due to its delectable taste. I’ve eaten my share ...
25 comments
Read more

Mrs. Carter's Jubilee Jumbles

 Mrs. Carter's Jubilee Jumbles  Mrs. Carter's Jubilee Jumbles Many thanks to my friend, Wayne, for posting this delicious recipe! I knew when I saw it that I had to make these for the "Lost Crew." They were a hit!  These cake-like cookies are simply delicious! The brunt sugar icing is perfect! This was one of Wayne's mom's recipes. Be sure to take a look at Mrs. Carter's original recipe in her own handwriting . I love that! What a treasure! I have formatted the recipe to conform to my usual way of posting (Y'all have been able to tell I have a format, right?;) I do like Mrs. Carter's version better, though! I am sure her icing looked much neater than mine! The kids were rushing me. Lost was coming on! Thanks again for sharing this, Wayne! These are wonderful!! ½ cup shortening 1 cup dark brown sugar ½ cup regular sugar 2 eggs 2¾ cups plain flour 1 cup undiluted Carnation evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon soda ½ teaspoon s...
7 comments
Read more