This is the famous Nordy Bar recipe that was served at Cafe Nordstrom back in the 80s. If you have ever eaten them, you know they are unforgettable! The bars are a rich mixture of chocolate, toffee, marshmallows, nuts, and are very easy to assemble.

Years ago, when we lived in Portland, I worked at PacifiCorp and Grant was in law school. I worked with a group of gourmets and we often had a Food Friday. Everyone brought their favorite dish to share and also printed out the recipes.

My good friend and colleague Jane loved to eat and cook and she shared this recipe for Nordy Bars from Cafe Nordstrom with me. Recipe history: Jane’s relatives visited the Nordstrom Cafe in Portland and bought a Nordy bar. They liked it so much they asked for the recipe. The girl serving them went into the kitchen, and a few minutes later came out with a handwritten recipe and made them promise not to tell anyone. The recipe Jane shared with me said, “We broke our promise, but you won’t tell because you’re family, right?!” Haha. Oops.

I’m not sure how closely this recipe was guarded at Cafe Nordstrom, but I know I’ve had a copy for about 35 years. I haven’t seen Nordy Bar at Nordstrom Cafe in years! The desserts they serve now are nowhere near as good as they were many years ago, and certainly not as good as the homemade Nordy Bar!

Nordy Bar is a delicious, chewy, toffee, marshmallow, chocolatey slice of heavenly perfection. This bar is unique in that the dough is kneaded in a pot on the stove rather than in a mixer. In fact, you don’t even need a mixer for this recipe! I think melting the toffee chips gives this bar a chewy texture that is almost unmatched when made any other way. Once you make these bars, I’m sure you’ll be addicted.

How to make Nordy Bars from Nordstrom Cafe:Preheat the oven and place a rack in the center of the oven.Melt the butter, toffee chips and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan on the stove.Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes.Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.Add remaining ingredients, fold together until all ingredients are combined.Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes.Chill in the refrigerator for an hour or overnight on the countertop.

This is the type of recipe you make when you’re in the mood for something that’s a little different from your old-fashioned recipes. In the next category (above, IMHO) from the usual bar cookies, but also not too laborious or intricate for an everyday get-together. For me, it’s nostalgia and a nice sweet dose of comfort food! Hope you enjoy this recipe.The recipe for Nordy Bars by Nordstrom Cafe was originally published in 2009. Recipe content and photos updated in 2022.

Nordy Bars by Nordstrom Cafe

Recipe for the famous Nordy Bar served at Cafe Nordstrom back in the 80s. 

• Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1–12 ounce toffee chips packaging
• 1/2 cup tightly packed brown sugar dark or light
• 2 big eggs beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tea spoon baking powder
• 1/2 tea spoon baking soda
• 1/2 tea spoon salt
• 1-12 ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups mini marshmallow
• 1 cup sliced ​​pecan
• 3 additional tablespoons flour (if you do not add nuts)

instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a rack in the center of the oven. Grease a 9x13cm pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add toffee chips and brown sugar. Stir until melted. Remove saucepan from heat and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
3. Add eggs and vanilla to the saucepan and mix well. Using a large spoon or spatula, add remaining ingredients until combined.
4. Pour the dough into the prepared mold. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake!
5. Cool completely, then refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars.

Recipe Notes

• It is very important to use fresh (not stale) marshmallows!