Soft, chewy, and exquisitely fluffy, these Butter Pecan Cookies boast an absolutely incredible flavor profile, making them the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any gathering or holiday cookie exchange!
Irresistible Butter Pecan Cookies: The Ultimate Holiday Treat
There’s a reason why butter pecan is a flavor beloved by so many, and when transformed into a cookie, it reaches new heights of deliciousness. These Butter Pecan Cookies are a symphony of textures and tastes: melt-in-your-mouth soft and chewy centers, crisp, golden-brown edges, and the delightful crunch of toasted pecans, all infused with a rich, warm buttery and brown sugar essence. If your heart gravitates towards cookies that are profoundly soft rather than brittle, then you’ve stumbled upon your new favorite recipe. Each cookie is thoughtfully rolled in shimmering decorator’s sugar and crowned with a perfect pecan half, making them as visually appealing as they are delectable. Forget searching for that elusive, show-stopping cookie recipe; this is it. Prepare to impress everyone with these remarkably easy-to-make, utterly irresistible Butter Pecan Cookies.
The Magic of Butter Pecan Flavor: A Classic Reimagined
The butter pecan flavor profile is a true American classic, often found in ice creams and candies, celebrated for its comforting, rich, and nutty notes. When translated into a cookie, these elements create an unparalleled sensory experience. The combination of luscious butter, the deep, caramel-like sweetness from light brown sugar, and the earthy richness of pecans comes together to form a warm, inviting taste that is simply irresistible. This recipe takes those classic components and perfects them in a cookie that is both familiar and extraordinary.
The secret to these cookies’ success lies in a few key details. The use of melted butter ensures a chewy texture, while a touch of cornstarch contributes to an incredibly soft crumb and helps prevent them from spreading too thin. The crucial chilling period allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the dough to firm up, resulting in perfectly puffed cookies every time. Whether you’re baking for holiday cookie platters, a cozy evening at home, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these Butter Pecan Cookies are destined to become a cherished staple in your baking repertoire. Their elegant simplicity and profound flavor make them suitable for any occasion, promising to evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia with every bite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Butter Pecan Cookies
Butter Pecan Cookies are a delightful confection characterized by their soft, chewy texture and a distinctively warm, buttery, and brown sugar flavor, generously studded with crunchy chopped pecans. They are a celebration of the beloved butter pecan taste, offering a comforting and indulgent experience with every bite. Our recipe specifically focuses on achieving that desired softness and chewiness, ensuring a truly satisfying treat.
The inclusion of cornstarch in cookie recipes is a brilliant baker’s secret, primarily serving to create a remarkably soft and chewy texture. Cornstarch effectively tenderizes the dough, preventing the cookies from becoming too crisp or crumbly. It contributes to a thicker, chewier cookie by slightly hindering gluten development, resulting in a more tender crumb. If you’ve never experimented with adding cornstarch to your favorite cookie recipes, particularly chocolate chip, you’ll be amazed at the significant difference it makes in achieving that coveted bakery-style chewiness. We highly recommend giving it a try!
Chilling the cookie dough is a non-negotiable step in this recipe, essential for superior texture and flavor. The dough requires a minimum of 2 hours of refrigeration, though leaving it to chill overnight often yields even better results. The extended chilling period allows the melted butter to re-solidify, which in turn prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain a beautiful, puffy shape. Furthermore, chilling gives the dry ingredients ample time to fully absorb the liquids, deepening the flavors and resulting in a richer, more complex taste. This process is similar to allowing a stew to simmer longer; it just gets better with time.
The size of your chopped pecans is entirely a matter of personal preference, allowing you to customize the crunch level in each cookie. You can opt for finely minced pecans for a subtle texture or larger, coarser pieces for a more pronounced nutty bite. Don’t worry if the pecans seem a bit resistant to incorporating evenly into the dough initially; they will naturally distribute and integrate perfectly as you roll the dough into individual balls. For the decorative top, remember to reserve some pecan halves for that perfect finishing touch.
Butter extract is typically found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, positioned alongside other flavor extracts like vanilla and almond. This ingredient is incredibly effective at amplifying the rich, buttery notes in these cookies, taking their flavor profile from good to outstanding. While highly recommended for achieving the signature potent butter flavor we’re aiming for, if you find it unavailable, you can substitute by adding a little extra vanilla extract. However, be aware that the cookies will have a slightly milder butter essence. Alternatively, a tiny pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter) can also help to bring out the butter flavor, though it’s not a direct substitute for the extract.
While entirely optional, adorning each cookie with a pecan half before baking significantly enhances both the visual appeal and the textural experience. It offers a beautiful, professional presentation, akin to the iconic Hershey’s Kiss on a peanut butter blossom cookie, and provides an extra burst of pecan flavor and crunch right on top. If you prefer a simpler look or are short on pecan halves, the cookies will still be incredibly delicious without this garnish. However, for that “wow” factor, we encourage you to include this easy finishing touch.
Decorator’s sugar, often referred to as sanding sugar or coarse sugar, consists of larger sugar granules compared to standard granulated sugar. Its larger crystals catch the light beautifully, adding a lovely sparkle and a subtle textural crunch to the exterior of the cookies. You can usually find it in the baking or cake decorating section of your grocery store. If decorator’s sugar isn’t readily available, there’s no need to worry! Rolling the cookie dough in regular granulated sugar will still provide a sweet, slightly crisp coating and ensure your cookies are absolutely delicious.
To maintain their exquisite freshness, store these Butter Pecan Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For extended freshness, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. These cookies are also excellent candidates for freezing! Once baked and completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or sturdy freezer bag. They will keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply allow them to defrost on the countertop until they reach their soft, chewy perfection.
Flat cookies are a common baking challenge, often due to melted butter that is too warm, insufficient chilling time, or an oven that isn’t at the correct temperature. Ensure your melted butter has cooled slightly before mixing, and absolutely do not skip the recommended chilling time – at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. Also, make sure your oven is accurately preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking. An oven thermometer can be a great tool to verify this. Using a firm, chilled dough is key to preventing excessive spreading and ensuring thick, puffy cookies.
Absolutely! Browning the butter before melting it adds an incredible depth of nutty, toasted flavor that complements the pecans wonderfully. To brown butter, simply melt it in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Be careful not to burn it! Once browned, immediately remove it from the heat and transfer it to a separate bowl to cool slightly before incorporating it into the recipe. If you decide to brown the butter, ensure it cools back down to a thick, liquid state, similar to melted butter, before mixing with the sugar, and factor this into your overall prep time.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Butter Pecan Cookies
Crafting the perfect batch of Butter Pecan Cookies begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that signature soft, chewy texture and rich, nutty flavor that makes these cookies so irresistible. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:
- All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of our cookies, providing the necessary body and chewiness.
- Cornstarch: A secret weapon for super soft and thick cookies, preventing them from becoming too crisp.
- Baking soda: Our leavening agent, responsible for helping the cookies rise and achieve that delightful puffiness.
- Salted butter (melted): The star ingredient that imparts a rich, creamy base flavor. Using salted butter here balances the sweetness beautifully. If using unsalted, remember to add ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt to the dry ingredients.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Contributes moisture, chewiness, and those irresistible caramel-like notes that are characteristic of butter pecan flavor.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder, adds moisture, and helps create a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the butter and pecan wonderfully.
- Butter extract: This intensifies the buttery flavor profile, taking these cookies to the next level. Don’t skip it if you can find it!
- Chopped pecans: Provides the essential nutty flavor and satisfying crunch throughout the cookie. Fresh, good-quality pecans make a difference.
- Decorator’s sugar (large sugar crystals): For rolling, it adds a beautiful sparkle and a delicate crispness to the exterior.
- Pecan halves (optional, for garnish): For an elegant finish and an extra touch of pecan goodness on top.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Butter Pecan Cookies
Follow these detailed instructions to create a batch of perfectly soft, chewy, and flavorful Butter Pecan Cookies that will disappear faster than you can say “delicious!”
Preparation: The Dry Ingredients
- In a medium-sized bowl, meticulously combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed. This step is crucial for consistent leavening and texture in your cookies. Set this bowl aside for later use.
Creaming the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted salted butter and the packed light brown sugar. Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and well-combined. This process incorporates air and creates a luscious base for your cookie dough, contributing to the ultimate soft texture.
Adding the Flavor Enhancers
- To the butter and sugar mixture, add the large egg, vanilla extract, and butter extract. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and cohesive. The extracts are key to building the complex flavor profile of these cookies.
Combining Wet and Dry Components
- Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Stir patiently until everything is just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop gluten too much, leading to tougher cookies. A few minutes of gentle stirring should ensure no dry patches remain.
Folding in the Pecans
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans. Distribute them as evenly as possible throughout the dough. Don’t worry if they seem a little stubborn at this stage; they will fully incorporate as you shape the dough.
Portioning and Chilling the Dough
- Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, or a heaping tablespoon, portion the cookie dough into uniform balls. Place them on the parchment-lined tray, not touching, but reasonably close together. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This crucial chilling period prevents spreading and enhances flavor.
Shaping and Sugaring the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line fresh sheet trays with parchment paper. Take the chilled cookie dough balls and roll each one gently between your hands to form a smooth sphere. The dough will be firm initially but will soften slightly as you work with it.
- Roll each smooth dough ball generously in decorator’s sugar (or regular granulated sugar if decorator’s sugar is unavailable). This creates a beautiful sparkling crust and adds a subtle crunch to the exterior.
Final Touches and Baking
- Place the sugared cookie dough balls on the prepared sheet trays, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for even baking and slight spreading. Gently press a pecan half onto the top of each cookie, if you are using them for garnish.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes. The cookies are done when they appear puffed, their tops are no longer glossy, and the edges are lightly browned. Avoid overbaking if you desire that signature soft and chewy texture.
- Allow the freshly baked cookies to cool on the sheet tray for approximately 10 minutes. This allows them to set properly before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these warm, buttery, nutty delights!
Pro Tips for Butter Pecan Cookie Perfection
- Don’t Skip the Chill: This is arguably the most critical step. Chilling the dough not only prevents excessive spreading but also allows the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a richer, more complex cookie. Cold dough equals thicker, chewier cookies.
- Melted Butter Temperature: Ensure your melted butter has cooled to room temperature, or even slightly cooler but still liquid, before combining it with the sugar. Using hot melted butter can make the dough greasy and lead to flat cookies because it causes the sugar to dissolve too quickly.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate baking, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour and dry, crumbly cookies.
- Customize Your Pecans: Feel free to adjust the chop size of your pecans based on your preference for crunch. For a more intense nutty flavor, lightly toast the chopped pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until fragrant before adding them to the dough.
- Butter Extract for Flavor Boost: While optional, butter extract truly elevates the “butter pecan” essence to an extraordinary level. If you omit it, consider adding an extra splash of vanilla extract or a tiny pinch of salt to enhance existing buttery notes.
- Even Baking: For consistent results across all your cookies, rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking. This helps ensure all cookies brown evenly, regardless of hot spots in your oven.
- Don’t Overbake: For soft and chewy cookies, pull them from the oven when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft and puffed. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet.
- Proper Cooling: The initial 10-minute cool down on the baking sheet is crucial as it allows the cookies to finish baking and firm up without breaking when transferred.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These Butter Pecan Cookies are delightful on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve them warm with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent dessert, or alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea for a comforting mid-afternoon treat. For a truly decadent experience, a light drizzle of homemade or store-bought caramel sauce takes these cookies to new heights.
Consider these creative variations to customize your next batch and keep things exciting:
- Spiced Pecan Cookies: Infuse a warm, aromatic twist by adding ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a tiny dash of nutmeg to the dry ingredients. These spices beautifully complement the nutty butter pecan flavor.
- Chocolate Chip Pecan Delight: For an extra layer of sweetness and texture, fold in a ½ cup of white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even dark chocolate chunks along with the chopped pecans.
- Browned Butter Base: As mentioned in our FAQ, browning your butter beforehand will introduce a deeper, toastier, more complex flavor profile that’s simply divine and enhances the nuttiness of the pecans.
- Salted Caramel Pecan: After the cookies have completely cooled, lightly drizzle them with a decadent salted caramel sauce. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel would add an exquisite touch.
- Maple Glaze: For a different kind of sweetness, whisk together powdered sugar with a splash of maple syrup and milk to create a thin glaze. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
Recipe Card: Butter Pecan Cookies
Butter Pecan Cookies
Soft, chewy and fluffy, these Butter Pecan Cookies have absolutely amazing flavor and will be the hit at your holiday cookie exchange!
15 minutes
10 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 25 minutes
34 cookies
Brandie Skibinski
Print Recipe | Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup salted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon butter extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For garnish:
- ⅓ cup decorator’s sugar (large sugar crystals)
- Pecan halves (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and butter extract; whisk until combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined, with no dry patches remaining.
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans.
- Line a sheet tray with parchment paper. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough and place balls close together on the parchment. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line fresh sheet trays with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled cookie dough balls between your hands to form smooth spheres.
- Roll each dough ball generously in decorator’s sugar.
- Place sugared dough balls on prepared sheet trays, 2 inches apart. Gently press a pecan half onto the top of each cookie, if desired.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes, until cookies are puffed, tops are not shiny, and edges are lightly browned.
- Let cool on the sheet tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Topping with pecan halves is optional but significantly enhances presentation and adds texture.
- Do not skip the chilling period; it’s essential for preventing excessive spread and achieving puffy cookies.
- If butter extract is unavailable, you can increase the vanilla extract slightly, but the potent butter flavor will be milder.
- Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Defrost on the countertop.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger batches or future use.
- If using unsalted butter, add ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt to the dry ingredients.
- If decorator’s sugar is not available, regular granulated sugar works perfectly well for rolling.
Dessert
American
Nutrition Information (Estimate Per Cookie)
Calories: 139 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 19g |
Protein: 1g |
Fat: 7g |
Sodium: 72mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 12g
The nutritional information provided is an estimate. “The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator, as values can vary depending on specific brands used.
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More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Explore
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