This is the famous Nordy Bar recipe served at the Nordstrom Cafe back in the 80’s. If you have ever eaten one, you know they are unforgettable! The bars are a rich mix of chocolate, butterscotch, marshmallow, nuts and so easy to put together.
Years ago, when we lived in Portland, I worked at PacifiCorp while Grant went to law school. I worked with a food-loving group and we often had “Food Friday”. Everyone brought their favorite dish to share and printed off recipes as well.
My good friend and co-worker Jane loved to eat, and cook, and shared this recipe for Nordy Bars from the Nordstrom Cafe with me. The story behind the recipe- relatives of Jane’s visited the Nordstrom Cafe in Portland and bought a Nordy bar. They loved it so much, they asked for the recipe. The girl serving them went into the kitchen, and a few minutes later came out with the hand written recipe and made them promise not to tell anyone. On the recipe Jane shared with me it said “we broke our promise, but you won’t tell cuz you’re family, right?!” Haha. Oops.
I’m not sure how closely this recipe was guarded in the Nordstrom Cafe, but I do know I’ve had a copy for about 35 years. I haven’t seen a Nordy Bar served for years at the Nordstrom Cafe! The desserts they serve now are not nearly as good as they were years ago, and certainly not as good as a homemade Nordy Bar!
The Nordy Bar is a yummy, chewy, butterscotchy, marshmallowy, chocolaty piece of heavenly goodness. This bar is unique, because the dough starts out in a pan on the stove instead of in a mixer. In fact, a mixer is not necessary to make this recipe at all! I think the melting of the butterscotch chips gives this bar the chewy texture that’s almost unmatchable if made any other way. One time making these bars, and I’m pretty sure you’ll be addicted.
How to make Nordy Bars from the Nordstrom Cafe:
- Preheat oven and place rack in center of the oven.
- Melt butter, butterscotch chips and brown sugar in a heavy pan on the stovetop.
- Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes.
- Stir in eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- Add remaining ingredients, fold together just until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Spread in prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes.
- Chill in refrigerator for an hour or overnight on countertop.
This is the type of recipe you make when you’re in the mood for something a little different from your old faithful recipes. In the next category (up, IMHO) from an ordinary bar cookie, but also not too time consuming or fancy for a weeknight get together. For me it’s nostalgic and a good sweet dose of comfort food! Hope you love this recipe.
Nordy Bars from Nordstrom Cafe recipe was originally posted in 2009. Recipe content and photos updated in 2022.
Nordy Bars from Nordstrom Cafe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 -12 oz package butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar dark or light
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1- 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 3 additional tablespoons flour(if omitting nuts)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rack in center of the oven. Grease a 9×13 pan or line with parchment paper.
-
In large saucepan, melt butter on medium heat. Add butterscotch chips and brown sugar. Stir just until melted. Remove the saucepan from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
-
Add eggs and vanilla to the saucepan and mix well. Using a large spoon or a spatula, stir in the remaining ingredients just until incorporated.
-
Spread the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Do not over bake!
-
Cool Completely, then place in the refrigerator for 1 hour before cutting into bars.
Recipe Notes
- It is very important to use fresh (not stale) marshmallows!
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We made these yesterday and they are simply delish. Thanks for passing on great recipes…esp. desserts. They are the best! 😉
Oh, Yummy! This is Angel Murdock (Jake’s wife). JoAnne turned me on to your blog. Good thing! I’ve already found about 4 recipes I want to try!!! Keep it up!
I just made these and they certainly are yummy!!!! My oven is dying a slow death so I had to cook them for about 35 minutes.
These were a huge hit at our superbowl party. Very good!
I made these this morning and just ate two now! So good. Used your parchment paper idea. Also, only had about a cup of marshmallows but they still turned out so well. Baked for 28 min and that was perfect for my oven. Thank you for another great recipe!
Just had a major baking failure after following the directions; bottom & sides burned, cooked for 25 minutes. Have a new Analon pan. Managed to salvage some innards but bars basically turned out like rocks. Any suggestions??? Want to retry since I love all the ingredients & was easy to put together. Batter was extremely thick.
Hi Pat,
I am so sorry your Nordy Bars didn’t turn out! Try checking the temperature in your oven, it sounds like it is baking hot? Also, if you are having issues with this cooking quickly on outside but not inside, line the pan with parchment and use a light colored pan!
Hope this helps,
Si
This is an outstanding recipe! I made these Nordy Bars for my co-workers, family and friends and they absolutely loved them. They were also easy to prepare and made the house smell wonderful.
Thank you so much Lisa! This really is one of my favorite recipes for cookie bars! Thanks for reading ABK,
xo
Si
These are dangerously delicious… I made them for a school event, and cut off (and kept) the edges before cutting them into pieces to serve. I can’t stop eating the bits! Thanks for posting the recipe 🙂
Sarah! Thanks for the kind message. Im so glad that you enjoyed these. These really are irresistible!
Xo,
Si
I just bought a Nordy Bar at Nordstrom in Ottawa Canada this morning, so they still exist.
Had never heard of it before, and thought it would be a sort of butter tart, and was pleased to find something new.
And now I can make them for Xmas. Thank you for the recipe!
Danielle, glad you were able to try them. Thanks for reading ABK! Happy baking!
XO
Si
Thank you for the recipe! Texture and mix-ins are delicious! Any suggestions how to make a bar with the same texture and mix-ins but without the butterscotch chips? Thanks!
Hi Kristin! You could make it with white or chocolate chips but it will completely change the flavor. LMK how they turn out! Thanks for reading ABK!
XO
Si
Delicious recipe! Thanks for sharing! Any suggestions on how to get a similar texture bar without the butterscotch chips? Thanks!
Sorry! Didn’t see my comment and your response above—please disregard, thanks!