Easy Butter Pecan Cookies

The irresistible aroma of toasted pecans and rich, buttery goodness fills your kitchen when baking these Easy Butter Pecan Cookies. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of crunchy nuts and melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture that will transport you straight to comfort food heaven. These classic treats combine simple ingredients to create something extraordinarily delicious that both novice and experienced bakers can master with ease. You’ll learn how to create bakery-quality butter pecan cookies that will impress family and friends with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Butter Pecan Cookies are about to become your new favorite for so many reasons. First, they strike that perfect balance between crisp edges and tender centers that defines an exceptional cookie. The contrast between the buttery, slightly chewy cookie base and the crunchy toasted pecans creates a delightful textural experience in every bite.

What makes these cookies truly special is their rich, caramel-like flavor profile that comes from browning the butter before incorporating it into the dough. This simple extra step elevates these homemade pecan cookies far beyond ordinary butter cookies.

Perhaps best of all, this recipe requires no special equipment or complicated techniques. With just a mixing bowl and a baking sheet, you can create bakery-worthy treats in under an hour. The dough comes together quickly, and you likely already have most ingredients in your pantry. These pecan butter cookies are perfect for last-minute gatherings, holiday cookie exchanges, or whenever your sweet tooth demands satisfaction.

Ingredients

For these delectable Easy Butter Pecan Cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (175g) pecans, toasted and chopped

The star ingredients are the butter and pecans. Use high-quality unsalted butter for the best flavor – this allows you to control the salt content while providing that rich, creamy base. For the pecans, toasting them before adding to the dough is crucial as it intensifies their nutty flavor and adds that signature crunch that makes these butter cookies with pecans so special. Fresh pecans will yield the best results, so avoid using nuts that have been sitting in your pantry for months.

Pro Tips

To elevate your Easy Butter Pecan Cookies from good to exceptional, follow these three crucial techniques:

First, brown your butter for an extraordinary depth of flavor. Melt the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat and continue cooking until it turns amber and smells nutty, about 5-7 minutes. Watch it carefully as it can burn quickly. This process creates complex caramel notes that complement the pecans perfectly. Allow the browned butter to cool slightly before adding to your sugar.

Second, properly toast your pecans to maximize their flavor. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they become fragrant and slightly darker. Let them cool completely before chopping and incorporating into your dough.

Lastly, chill your dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before baking. This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate and the flavors to meld. More importantly, it prevents your cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring those perfect crisp edges and soft centers that make these butter pecan cookies irresistible.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pecans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread your pecans evenly on a baking sheet and toast them for 8-10 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly darker. Give them a gentle stir halfway through. Once toasted, allow them to cool completely before roughly chopping them. This toasting process is what gives your Easy Butter Pecan Cookies their distinctive nutty flavor.

Step 2: Brown the Butter

In a light-colored saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, as the butter foams and then begins to turn golden brown and emit a nutty aroma. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heat-resistant bowl to stop the cooking process. Let it cool for about 10 minutes until it’s still liquid but not hot.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the browned butter with both sugars and beat until well incorporated and slightly lighter in color. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in your toasted, chopped pecans, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 4: Chill and Bake

Cover your cookie dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor). When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. Let your butter pecan cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Variations

Looking to put your own spin on these Easy Butter Pecan Cookies? Try these popular adaptations:

For Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies, fold in 3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the pecans. The combination of toasted nuts and melty chocolate creates an irresistible flavor duo that takes these cookies to another level. For extra decadence, drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate.

To make a Gluten-Free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it. The rest of the recipe remains unchanged, and your guests won’t even notice the difference.

For Salted Caramel Butter Pecan Cookies, press a slight indentation into each cookie ball before baking. After baking, while still warm, fill each indentation with caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. This sweet-salty combination complements the nutty pecan flavor beautifully.

Storage and Serving

Your Easy Butter Pecan Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers, where they’ll keep for up to 3 months. To enjoy frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

For an elevated serving experience, warm individual cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. The contrast between warm cookie and cold ice cream is absolutely divine.

These cookies also make perfect companions to coffee or tea, particularly ones with caramel or nutty notes. For a special holiday treat, sandwich a scoop of butter pecan ice cream between two cookies for homemade ice cream sandwiches that will impress everyone.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter is recommended because it allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your Easy Butter Pecan Cookies.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
This typically happens when the dough isn’t chilled enough or the butter was too warm. Make sure to refrigerate your dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Can I substitute walnuts for pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts make a great substitute, though the flavor profile will be slightly different. Toast them just as you would the pecans for the best flavor.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for golden edges with centers that appear slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven, resulting in perfectly soft centers.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking your butter pecan cookies.

Conclusion

These Easy Butter Pecan Cookies are comfort food at its finest — buttery, nutty morsels that balance sweet richness with the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans. They’re the kind of dish that transforms ordinary moments into special ones, whether shared around the holiday table or packed in lunchboxes as a sweet surprise. With their simple preparation and extraordinary taste, these cookies prove that sometimes the most straightforward recipes yield the most memorable results. Every bite delivers that perfect harmony of flavors that will keep everyone reaching for just one more.

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