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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Introduce room-temperature eggs individually, mixing on low speed until each is fully integrated into the batter without overmixing.
- Prepare the dry ingredient mixture by whisking all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda in a separate medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
- 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.
- Gently fold chopped pecan halves throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution for consistent texture and flavor in each cookie.
- Wrap the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- 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.
- Bake in the center rack of the oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for slightly golden brown edges as an indicator of doneness.
- 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