Description
Butter pecan cookies bring Southern charm to classic dessert cravings with their rich, nutty profile. Crisp edges, tender centers, and toasted pecans create an irresistible sweet treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Sweet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)
Spices and Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the base by vigorously blending melted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until the liquid ingredients form a seamless, streak-free emulsion.
- Gradually introduce dry ingredients including flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder, mixing with gentle strokes to maintain a tender dough texture.
- Tenderly fold chopped pecans and toffee bits throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution of nutty and sweet elements.
- Refrigerate the dough for 30-45 minutes at 40°F, allowing ingredients to meld and solidify for optimal cookie structure.
- Form chilled dough into compact spheres, using palms to compress the potentially crumbly mixture. Optional: Roll each ball in granulated sugar for enhanced exterior crispness.
- Arrange cookie spheres on parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning them approximately 2 inches apart to accommodate spreading during baking.
- Heat oven to 350°F and bake for 11-14 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and slightly soft centers. Cookies will naturally settle and flatten upon cooling.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack, preserving their delicate structure and ensuring complete cooling.
Notes
- Toasting pecans beforehand intensifies their nutty flavor and adds extra crunch to the cookies, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cookie’s delicate texture.
- Use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener as lower-glycemic replacements for traditional granulated and brown sugars, making the recipe more diabetes-friendly.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg