There’s something irresistibly warm and nostalgic about a good batch of cookies fresh from the oven, and with this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe, you’ll experience that cozy feeling in every buttery, nutty bite. These cookies balance soft, tender centers with lightly toasted pecans for a delightful crunch that makes them perfect for sharing on any occasion. Whether you’re an avid baker or just starting out, this recipe is a wonderful way to bring timeless comfort into your kitchen while impressing friends and family with a classic treat that’s anything but ordinary.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is essential for baking great cookies, and lucky for you, the components of this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe are straightforward yet packed with flavor and texture. Each ingredient has a purpose: the butter adds richness, sugars contribute sweetness and tenderness, and pecans provide that signature nutty crunch.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The foundation of flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture for your cookies.
- Light brown sugar (3/4 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a warm caramel note for that classic buttery sweetness.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Gives subtle crispness to the cookie edges.
- Large egg (1, room temperature): Binds everything together and helps create a perfect chewy consistency.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall flavor profile with a beautiful aromatic depth.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The structure builder, providing just the right amount of crumb.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and keeps them light.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and boosts the flavor.
- Pecans (1 cup, finely chopped and lightly toasted): Adds a deliciously nutty crunch and a toasted aroma that’s simply irresistible.
How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking, setting the stage for perfect shapes and textures.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This process is key to trapping air, which helps create that tender crumb we love in Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until completely combined. The egg adds moisture and helps bind the cookie dough, while vanilla amps up the flavor, giving each cookie a luscious, aromatic touch.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these ingredients separately ensures an even distribution throughout the dough, preventing any bitter pockets or uneven texture.
Step 5: Mix the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so keeping it gentle is the secret for tender, delicate bites.
Step 6: Fold in the Pecans
Carefully fold in your finely chopped, toasted pecans. Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and crunch, elevating this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers look set but still soft—this balance ensures an ideal chewy texture.
Step 8: Cool Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief resting period helps them firm up just enough while retaining a tender center.
How to Serve Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking can intensify the sweetness and nutty flavor, creating a perfect sweet-salty harmony that will keep everyone reaching for more.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. Their buttery pecan notes complement creamy and rich beverages or desserts beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming touch, stack these cookies between parchment paper and tie with rustic twine to create gift-worthy bundles. You can also sandwich softened cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a delightful variation that feels extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe cookies store perfectly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their perfect chewy texture and prevent the pecans from going stale.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for longer storage by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to three months and thaw beautifully without losing their flavor or texture.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them gently in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This refreshes their soft, buttery texture and makes them taste just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute chopped walnuts for pecans in this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While the original recipe highlights pecans for their unique flavor and crunch, walnuts make a tasty substitute that offers a slightly different, but equally delicious, texture and taste.
How do I make sure my Butter Pecan Cookies don’t spread too much while baking?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and keep your dough chilled if your kitchen is warm. This helps the cookies hold their shape better and bake with that perfect tender chew without excessive spreading.
Is it important to toast the pecans for this recipe?
Toasting pecans is highly recommended because it intensifies their flavor and crunchiness, adding an extra depth that makes the Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe really stand out.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the recipe precisely. If you only have salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt to balance the flavors.
How long should I cool the cookies before storing them?
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack; this usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Storing warm cookies can cause condensation, which makes them soggy, so patience here really pays off.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the simple pleasure of homemade cookies, and this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe captures that magic with every bite. With straightforward ingredients, easy steps, and a flavor that feels like a warm hug, these cookies are destined to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and enjoy the cozy, buttery goodness with those you love!
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
Delight in these classic Butter Pecan Cookies featuring a buttery, tender crumb complemented by finely chopped toasted pecans. Perfectly balanced with brown and granulated sugars, these cookies offer a rich flavor and a soft yet slightly crisp texture, ideal for holidays or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped and lightly toasted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies do not stick and for easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture, which helps incorporate air for tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large room temperature egg and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms to avoid overdeveloping gluten and becoming tough.
- Fold in Pecans: Gently fold in the finely chopped toasted pecans, ensuring an even distribution of nuts for that signature buttery crunch.
- Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough using a cookie scoop or spoon and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow space for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft, which provides a perfect chewy center.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, allowing them to firm up slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely and avoid breaking.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, toast the pecans lightly before incorporating them into the dough to bring out their natural nuttiness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag and thaw at room temperature before serving.
