If you are craving a cookie that perfectly balances rich buttery goodness with the warm, nutty crunch of toasted pecans, then this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. With its crisp edges and tender centers, these cookies bring a delightful blend of textures and flavors that feel like a comforting hug in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, these buttery, pecan-studded delights are sure to hit the sweet spot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe comes down to a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one plays a key role: butter and sugars create that luscious, sweet base, eggs and vanilla add moisture and aroma, flour and leavening give structure, while the toasted pecans provide irresistible crunch and depth.
- Unsalted butter: Using softened butter ensures your cookies will have a tender, rich texture without unwanted saltiness.
- Light brown sugar: Adds natural molasses flavor and keeps the cookies moist and chewy.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the perfect crisp edges.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall aroma and adds a subtle warm undertone.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that holds your cookies together with just the right tenderness.
- Baking soda: Helps achieve a light, airy texture by gently lifting the dough as it bakes.
- Salt: Highlights the sweetness and deepens flavor contrast.
- Chopped toasted pecans: The star ingredient, offering a satisfyingly crunchy texture and buttery nuttiness.
How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Toast Pecans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the perfect baking environment as soon as your dough is ready. At the same time, toast your chopped pecans on a separate baking sheet for 6 to 8 minutes, giving them a gentle stir halfway through. Toasting intensifies their flavor and adds a lovely crunch that makes these cookies truly special.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and irresistible in its creaminess. This step is essential for the cookie’s tender texture and helps dissolve the sugars evenly.
Step 3: Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition. This ensures a smooth mix and proper emulsification. Then, stir in the vanilla extract to embed its sweet fragrance into every nook and cranny of your dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour, ensuring your cookies bake consistently.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet Mixture
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet butter and sugar mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so be gentle here to keep them tender and soft.
Step 6: Fold in Toasted Pecans
Now for the star touch: fold the toasted pecans into the dough with care, making sure they are evenly distributed. These nuts will bring that classic buttery crunch that defines this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form the dough into 1 ½-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers are just set. This timing gives you a perfect balance of crisp edges and chewy centers.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting period lets the cookies firm up just enough to enjoy without losing their soft middle.
How to Serve Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle a few extra chopped toasted pecans on top of the cookies before serving. A light dusting of flaky sea salt can also enhance the sweetness and add a delightful contrast to each bite.
Side Dishes
Butter pecan cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot coffee or tea, and they’re especially delightful alongside a glass of cold milk or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. These accompaniments create a perfect indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe as mini sandwich cookies with a spread of cream cheese frosting or salted caramel in the middle. Serving them on a rustic wooden platter adorned with fresh pecans and autumn leaves makes for a charming seasonal display that’s sure to wow guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store your Butter Pecan Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to a week, making them perfect for planned snacks or a sweet surprise after dinner.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough balls or fully baked cookies. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. When frozen, dough balls can be baked fresh later, while baked cookies can be thawed at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked warmth, gently warm your cookies in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes, or pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This simple step brings back that melty, buttery sensation every time.
FAQs
Can I substitute pecans with other nuts?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds make great substitutes, though they will slightly change the flavor profile. Toast them to maximize nuttiness before folding into the dough.
How do I make these cookies more chewy?
Reduce the baking time by a minute or two and consider using a bit more brown sugar than granulated since brown sugar retains moisture better, resulting in chewier cookies.
Is it necessary to toast pecans?
Toasting pecans isn’t mandatory but it significantly enhances their flavor and crunch, elevating the overall taste of your Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup, you can successfully make these cookies gluten-free without sacrificing texture.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, Butter Pecan Cookies stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly satisfying about biting into a homemade Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe that’s perfectly balanced with buttery richness and nutty crunch. These cookies effortlessly bring warmth and joy to any moment, whether it’s a casual snack, a holiday treat, or a gift from the heart. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and create your own sweet memories with every batch.
Print
Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Butter Pecan Cookies are rich, buttery treats loaded with toasted pecans and a perfect balance of brown sugar sweetness. These American-style dessert cookies feature a soft, chewy center and golden, crisp edges, ideal for holiday gatherings or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth batter. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid developing too much gluten which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Toasted Pecans: Gently fold the chopped toasted pecans into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout for nutty flavor and added texture.
- Scoop and Arrange Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into 1 ½-inch balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies’ edges turn golden brown and the centers are set but still soft for chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breaking and maintaining their shape.
Notes
- To toast pecans, bake them on a baking sheet at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, stirring once to ensure even toasting.
- For extra flavor depth, try browning the butter before mixing; chill it slightly before creaming it with the sugars.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough once adding the dry ingredients to maintain a tender cookie crumb.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
