There is something irresistibly warm and comforting about a homemade batch of buttery, nutty treats, and that is exactly what you get with this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance: tender and crumbly with a rich buttery flavor, complemented by the toasty crunch of pecans. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon tea or looking to impress guests with a timeless classic, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for delivering nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth goodness every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients is the first step toward cookie perfection. Each item brings something special—flour for structure, butter for richness, sugars for sweetness and texture, and pecans for that signature buttery crunch and depth of flavor.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the foundation for soft, tender cookies that hold their shape beautifully.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The star ingredient delivering luscious moisture and that classic buttery taste.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slight crispiness on the cookie edges.
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar: Brings a subtle caramel note and helps keep the cookies chewy inside.
- 1 cup toasted pecans (coarsely chopped): Infuses the dough with toasty nuttiness and a delightful crunch in every bite.
- 2 large eggs: Acts as a binder and adds richness, ensuring the cookies stay moist.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Gives a gentle lift, keeping the cookies light and airy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors for a perfectly balanced cookie.
How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Toast the Pecans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast them for about 8 to 10 minutes until they become wonderfully fragrant. Toasting brings out the oils in the pecans, adding a deeper, richer flavor to the cookies.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, helping the cookies remain tender as they bake.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time. Adding them slowly allows each egg to fully incorporate, ensuring an even, smooth dough that will bake evenly.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Mixing gently until just combined prevents overworking the dough, which keeps your Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe soft and tender.
Step 5: Fold in the Toasted Pecans
Gently fold in the toasted pecans with a spatula, distributing those crunchy bits evenly throughout the dough so every cookie is packed with nutty goodness.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart so they have room to spread. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, stopping when the edges turn a beautiful light golden color.
Step 7: Cool Before Enjoying
Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. This resting time allows the cookies to set perfectly and makes them easier to handle without crumbling.
How to Serve Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance, consider sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on each cookie right after baking. This enhances the sweetness and brings out the buttery flavor beautifully. You might also drizzle a little melted white chocolate or caramel for a decadent twist.
Side Dishes
Butter Pecan Cookies pair wonderfully with a classic glass of cold milk or a cozy cup of coffee or tea. If you want to create a full dessert experience, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or a simple fruit compote to balance the buttery richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies as part of a festive gift box with assorted nuts, homemade jams, or even alongside fresh berries. They also make a charming addition to a dessert platter or afternoon tea set, where their nutty flavor will shine amidst other sweet delights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Butter Pecan Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to a week, making them perfect to bake ahead for parties or cozy nights.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies over a longer period, freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a couple of minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, fully baked cookies can be frozen and thawed gently to preserve their taste and texture.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or warm them briefly in a low-temperature oven. This reheating brings back that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness and enhances the buttery aroma.
FAQs
Can I use roasted pecans instead of toasting them myself?
Absolutely, pre-roasted pecans can save time and still provide good flavor. However, toasting them yourself just before mixing intensifies their natural oils and aroma, making the cookies extra special.
What if I don’t have brown sugar? Can I substitute it?
You can use all granulated sugar, but brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel hint that makes these cookies truly unique. If needed, mixing half granulated sugar with a tablespoon of molasses can mimic the brown sugar effect.
Is it necessary to use unsalted butter?
Using unsalted butter gives you full control over the salt content in the recipe, ensuring the flavor balances perfectly with the pecans and sugars. If you only have salted butter, reduce or skip the added salt in the dry ingredients.
How can I make the cookies crispier?
For a crispier texture, bake the cookies a minute or two longer, watching carefully so they don’t burn. Also, reducing the brown sugar slightly and increasing granulated sugar can help create a crisper edge.
Can I add other nuts or mix-ins?
Definitely! While pecans are classic in this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe, walnuts, almonds, or even chocolate chips can add a delightful twist. Just be sure to keep the total mix-in amount roughly the same to maintain the right dough consistency.
Final Thoughts
There is a special kind of joy that comes with baking and sharing a batch of buttery, nut-filled cookies. This Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe offers a perfect combination of simple ingredients, easy steps, and an incredible final product that will become a cherished favorite. So get your apron on, gather those ingredients, and prepare to fill your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of warm, buttery pecan goodness. Your future self—and anyone lucky enough to share them—will thank you!
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
Description
Deliciously buttery and nutty Butter Pecan Cookies featuring toasted pecans for a rich, crunchy texture paired with a soft, chewy cookie base. Perfect for a sweet snack or dessert, these cookies combine classic Southern flavors with a simple baking process.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup toasted pecans (coarsely chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Toast Pecans: Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 8–10 minutes until they are fragrant and slightly browned, enhancing their flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will take about 3–5 minutes.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring carefully until just combined to avoid over-mixing which can make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Pecans: Gently fold the toasted pecans into the dough evenly without breaking them down too much.
- Form Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats, spacing them apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn a light golden color indicating they are done.
- Cool: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely and firm up.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming with the sugars.
- To toast pecans on the stovetop, use a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to one week or can be frozen for longer storage.
