The Perfect Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe: Sweet Bite-Sized Joy

Irresistible pecan pie cookies combine the beloved dessert’s essence into a delectable handheld treat.

Sweet, nutty flavors dance across your palate with each delightful bite.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a textural symphony that elevates this classic comfort confection.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these cookies revolutionize a traditional pie into a portable indulgence.

Warm spices and caramelized notes weave through the delicate cookie base, promising a nostalgic experience.

Baking these morsels fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma that beckons everyone near.

You’ll fall in love with this clever twist on a timeless favorite.

Pecan Pie Cookies: A Miniature Delight

• Indulge in Sweet Sophistication: These pecan pie cookies blend the classic comfort of pie with the convenience of a cookie, delivering a gourmet experience in every delightful bite.
• Texture Triumph: Crisp golden edges meet a soft, chewy center packed with crunchy pecan halves, creating a multilayered sensory experience that dances between tender and robust.
• Effortless Elegance: With just 10 simple steps and minimal prep time, these cookies offer a stress-free baking adventure that even novice bakers can master, transforming basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for gatherings or quiet moments of indulgence.

Key Ingredients for Pecan Pie Cookies

• Brown Sugar: Rich sweetener that adds deep caramel-like flavor and helps create soft cookie texture.
• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base and helps bind cookie ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds classic baking aroma.

• Flour: Fundamental structural component that gives cookies their shape and texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor profile.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates light, soft texture.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients, adds moisture, and contributes to cookie structure.
• Pecan Halves: Provides nutty crunch and signature pecan pie flavor.
• Sea Salt Flakes: Optional finishing touch that adds gourmet salty contrast to sweet cookies.

How to Make Pecan Pie Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Grab a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with whisk attachment. Blend brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 2: Add Eggs

Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until fully blended into the batter.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking soda

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients on low speed until a smooth dough forms.

Step 5: Fold in Pecans

Use a spatula to gently fold pecan halves throughout the dough, creating delightful texture.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover dough completely and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help maintain cookie shape during baking.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 8: Shape Cookies

Create small dough balls using a cookie scoop or hands. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheets, ensuring 3 inches between each cookie to allow spreading.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake cookies in the center of the oven for 8 minutes, or until edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 10: Add Final Touch

Optional: Sprinkle sea salt flakes on hot cookies immediately after removing from oven. Cool completely on wire racks.

Tips for Perfecting Pecan Pie Cookies

• Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies' perfect shape during baking.
• Pecan Placement Perfection: Gently fold pecan halves into the dough to ensure even distribution and a delightful crunch in every bite.
• Precise Portioning: Use a cookie scoop for consistent size and shape, ensuring uniform baking and professional-looking cookies.
• Golden Brown Goodness: Watch closely during the last few minutes of baking to achieve that ideal slightly golden edge without overcooking.
• Flavor Finale: Sprinkle sea salt immediately after baking to enhance the sweet and nutty flavor profile of these delectable pecan pie cookies.

Storing and Reheating Pecan Pie Cookies

• Store Leftovers
• Seal cooled pecan pie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate cookie layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness. Protect cookies from moisture and direct sunlight to preserve their crisp texture.
• Refrigerate
• Transfer cookies to a sealed container and refrigerate for extended storage up to 7 days. Place a paper towel inside the container to absorb excess moisture and keep cookies crisp. Bring refrigerated cookies to room temperature before serving for optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze pecan pie cookies for up to 3 months without losing quality. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying their delicious flavor and perfect crunch.

Pairing Pecan Pie Cookies with Coffee

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair these pecan pie cookies with a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee that balances the sweetness with its smooth, nutty undertones, creating a delightful morning or afternoon treat.
• Elevate with Bourbon Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle a homemade bourbon caramel sauce over the warm cookies to enhance the pecan's rich flavor and add a luxurious depth that complements the buttery base.
• Scoop of Vanilla Elegance: Top these cookies with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, creamy texture to contrast beautifully with the warm, crisp cookie edges and bring out the pecan's natural sweetness.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Serve alongside a glass of sweet dessert wine like a Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling, which will harmonize with the cookie's caramel notes and provide a sophisticated finishing touch.

Fun Variations of Pecan Pie Cookies

• Bourbon Pecan Punch: Splash a tablespoon of bourbon into the wet ingredients for a rich, sophisticated adult cookie that adds complex warmth and depth to the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Chunk Classic: Mix semi-sweet chocolate chunks alongside pecan halves to create a decadent hybrid cookie with contrasting nutty and sweet flavors.
• Maple Praline Crunch: Replace vanilla extract with pure maple syrup and sprinkle crushed praline pieces on top for a caramelized, crunchy southern-inspired treat that elevates the original recipe.
• Salted Caramel Pecan: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over cooled cookies, enhancing the nutty base with luxurious sweet-salty notes that complement the pecan's natural richness.

Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Pecan pie cookies blend Southern charm with classic cookie comfort. Buttery shortbread meets caramelized pecans in a handheld treat that brings holiday warmth to your dessert table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups light or dark brown sugar
• 1 cup salted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups pecan halves

Dry Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Cream together brown sugar, softened unsalted butter (113 grams or ), and pure vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes pale and airy, approximately 3 minutes.
2. Introduce room-temperature eggs individually, mixing on low speed until each is fully integrated into the batter without overmixing.
3. Prepare the dry ingredient mixture by whisking all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda in a separate medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
4. Slowly integrate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a cohesive cookie dough forms without any visible flour pockets.
5. Gently fold chopped pecan halves throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution for consistent texture and flavor in each cookie.
6. Wrap the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
7. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
8. Using a cookie scoop or dampened hands, create uniform dough balls approximately 1 inch in diameter, positioning them 3 inches apart to allow proper expansion.
9. Bake in the center rack of the oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for slightly golden brown edges as an indicator of doneness.
10. Optional: Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the warm cookies to enhance the sweet-savory profile, then transfer to wire cooling racks.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent cookies from spreading too much and maintains their delightful round shape during baking.
• Folding pecan halves into the mixture ensures every bite delivers a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor profile.
• Mixing wet and dry ingredients separately creates a smooth, consistent dough that guarantees perfectly textured cookies.
• Creaming butter and brown sugar until fluffy introduces air, resulting in soft, tender cookies with a rich caramel undertone.
• Adding eggs one at a time prevents clumping and helps create a silky, well-incorporated batter that bakes evenly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg