Easy Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
This Easy Butter Pecan Cookies recipe features buttery, soft cookies loaded with toasted pecans for a rich, nutty flavor. Simple to prepare with common ingredients, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, ideal for any occasion or dessert craving.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert/Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Toasted Pecans
- 1½ cups pecans, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Toast Pecans: Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the chopped pecans and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Toast the pecans in the skillet, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until they are golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 large room-temperature eggs one at a time, then mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Finally, fold in the cooled toasted pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop 2-tablespoon portions of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart. Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure the pecans are completely cool before folding into the dough to avoid melting the butter in the dough.
- Room temperature eggs help with better mixing and cookie texture.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts if preferred.
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake by a minute or two.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Keywords: butter pecan cookies, toasted pecans, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, nutty cookies, dessert