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Adorned with toasted pecans, these golden Honey Bars are soft, slightly chewy, and infused with the natural sweetness of honey. 

Honey bars cut into squares next to a jar of honey and scoop of pecans

It’s no secret that I’m a lover of all things chocolate.

From Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars to Avocado Brownies, I’ll typically reach for something chocolate when I’m craving something sweet.

On my days off from my devoted relationship with chocolate (a little break now and then keeps the love strong), there’s a good chance I’m sneaking a second (or third) honey bar from the pan left dangerously accessible on my counter.

With their sweet, floral-flavored dough, chewy exterior, and gooey center, these honey cookie bars almost (almost) make me forget about my beloved chocolate.

Honey Bars made with honey no sugar on a cooling rack

Added bonus?

Made with white whole wheat flour and applesauce, they’re a healthy(ish) sweet treat (like these Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies) I can feel good about eating.

Plus they are made entirely in ONE BOWL for easy clean up (just like my One Bowl Brownies)!

Honey bars and pecans with a bite taken out

5 Star Review

“Made these today. Came out perfectly!”

— Tanya —

How to Make Honey Bars

These soft and chewy honey bars are a healthy alternative to decadent Brownie Bites or rich chocolate blondies.

Sweetened with applesauce, honey, and just a touch of brown sugar, they’re an easy dessert bar and will be a special hit amongst blondie lovers.


The Ingredients

  • Honey. The key ingredient to these delightfully chewy and gooey honey bars that sweetens and gives them an ever so subtle floral taste and aroma.

Tip!

Clover honey is my favorite for baking because it flavors the recipe with great honey taste without overpowering the other ingredients. Feel free to experiment however with other local unfiltered, raw, or wildflower varieties of honey.

  • Butter. Lends great butter flavor, moisture, and tenderness to these chewy honey bars. It’s a blondie must!
  • Applesauce. Trusting that the wonderfully wet and sticky honey would keep the blondies plenty moist, applesauce replaces what would otherwise be butter in this healthy honey bar recipe (similar to this Applesauce Cake).
  • Flour. These honey cookie bars leverage one of my all-time favorite stealthy healthy baking hacks of using a 50/50 blend of all-purpose and white whole wheat flour to sneak in extra fiber and protein (as seen in these fabulous Cinnamon Blondies).

Substitution Tip

Instead of white whole wheat flour, you may use entirely all-purpose flour instead with great results. You may also opt for regular whole wheat flour instead of white whole wheat flour; note that the bars will have a slightly heartier taste and texture.

a stack of honey squares with pecans
  • Brown Sugar. Light brown sugar lends additional sweetness and subtle molasses flavor.
  • Egg. Softens and tenderizes the cookie bars and gives them structure.
  • Vanilla. Balances and unites all the flavors.
  • Pecans. Add a wonderful earthy nuttiness to the bars that accent the whole wheat flour and pair perfectly with the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar. (For a bar recipe that’s HEAVY on the pecans, try these Pecan Pie Bars.)

Substitution Tip

Feel free to swap in other nuts or mix-ins of your choice. Walnuts or slivered almonds would be tasty choices, and I suspect toasted coconut, raisins, or dried cranberries would also be lovely.

The Directions

Melting butter and honey together in a saucepan
  1. Melt together the butter, applesauce, and honey in a saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
adding eggs and vanilla to a mixing bowl of butter and honey
  1. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
stirring pecans into a bowl of honey pecan blondie batter
  1. Let the batter cool 20 minutes, then stir in the chopped pecans.
a square baking pan filled with honey bar batter ready to bake
  1. Transfer to a greased, parchment-lined pan. Bake the honey bars at 350 degrees F for 24 to 28 minutes, until the edges are browned and the center is set. Let cool and cut into squares. ENJOY!
The best honey bars recipe cut into squares with pecans

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Honey bars may be stored, at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze. Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours before serving.
  • To Reheat. For a fresh-baked taste, warm leftover honey bars for a few seconds in the microwave until warm.

What to Serve with Honey Bars

  • Saucepan. My favorite everyday saucepan for sweet and savory recipes.
  • Mixing Bowls. I love this nested set because there’s a bowl that’s the perfect size for any task.
  • 8×8 Baking Pan. Perfect for bars, brownies, crisps, and cobblers of all flavors.
Honey and Pecan Blondies on a cooling rack

Chocolate, I’m sorry to say it, but there’s someone else and their name is honey bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why White Whole Wheat Flour?

White whole wheat flour has a milder taste and lighter color and texture than regular whole wheat flour, so it’s typically preferred for dessert baking. That said, this recipe will work just fine with regular wheat flour. The final blondies may be a bit denser and have a more pronounced nutty wheat flavor, but that would actually be pretty nice with the honey.

Could I Bake in a 9×9 Pan?

I have only tested this recipe in an 8×8 pan so it would be an experiment. The recipe should turn out just fine. Note that the bars will be thinner and you’ll likely want to adjust the baking time slightly since they will bake more quickly in a larger pan.

What is the Difference Between Raw and Regular Honey?

The main difference between these two is that raw honey comes straight from the hive without being processed or pasteurized. The pasteurization process improves the appearance of honey, prolongs its shelf life, and kills bacteria that may be present in the honey. However, this process also removes some of the natural antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in raw honey also.

Honey Bars

4.92 From 12 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 1 hour

Servings: 16 bars; 1 (8×8-inch) pan)
These honey bars are rich and chewy like a blondie and made with healthy ingredients. A great tasting, one-bowl, easy dessert!

Ingredients
  


Instructions
 

  • Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan, then line with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang the edge on two sides. Grease and flour the pan, then tap out any excess flour. Set aside.
  • Melt butter, applesauce, and honey in a saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
  • Stir in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Add the white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt, and mix until just combined. Let the batter cool 20 minutes, then stir in the chopped pecans.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the top and spreading the batter as evenly as you can. If desired, sprinkle lightly with flaky salt.
  • Bake the pecan blondies until the edges are browned and the center is set, 24 to 28 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely, then use the parchment to lift blondies out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Honey bars may be stored, at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • TO FREEZE: Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours before serving.
  • TO REHEAT: For a fresh-baked taste, warm leftover honey bars for a few seconds in the microwave until warm.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 16)Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgPotassium: 49mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 105IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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    1. Hi Laura! Great question. White whole wheat flour has a milder taste and lighter color and texture that regular whole wheat flour, so I typically prefer it for dessert baking. That said, this recipe will work just fine with regular wheat flour. Your final blondies might be a bit more dense and have a more pronounced nutty wheat flavor, but I think that would actually be pretty nice with the honey. It’s up to you!

  1. My husband and five children would, I’m sure, like to thank you. Since I have found your blog, I have started baking and cooking all over again! I’m currently studying for the MCAT, and have neglected my love of being in the kitchen! Thank you, thank  you, thank you for giving me a reprieve from endless hours of physics and organic chemistry!!! 5 stars

  2. So so yummy. Love the deep honey flavor and that its so easy and quick to make. Will definitely be making again!5 stars

    1. Hi Lindy, while I think a 1:1 substitute could work, I haven’t tested it out myself. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!

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