Nutty Joy: The Heartwarming Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Sweet meets crumbly in this delightful pecan pie cookies recipe that captures all the rich, gooey essence of classic Southern desserts.

Buttery cookie dough mingles with a luscious caramel-like filling studded with crunchy pecans.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender base and nutty topping that melts in your mouth.

The recipe brings together traditional pie flavors in a convenient, portable cookie form that’s surprisingly simple to make.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these irresistible treats with minimal effort.

Warm, golden, and utterly addictive, these cookies promise to become a new favorite at your next gathering.

Let’s find out this delectable recipe and treat yourself to a sweet slice of comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 25

Pecan Pie Cookies: Everything You’ll Need

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness and helps create a rich, gooey texture in cookies.
• Butter: Provides creamy richness and helps bind ingredients while creating tender cookie structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes that complement pecans.

• Eggs: Crucial for holding cookie dough together and creating soft, chewy consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and helps cookies maintain their shape during baking.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, creating light and delicate texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors in the cookie.

• Pecan Halves: Delivers signature crunch, toasty flavor, and classic pecan pie experience with every bite; choose fresh, whole pecans with rich golden color and no signs of rancidity or discoloration.

Tools to Make Pecan Pie Cookies Easily

• Stand Mixer or Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, blending wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk Attachment: Perfect for creating light, fluffy mixtures and incorporating eggs evenly.
• Medium Bowl: Needed for mixing dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Spatula: Helps fold pecans into dough gently and ensures even distribution.
• Cookie Scoop or Hands: Used for shaping consistent, evenly-sized cookie balls.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal from baking sheets.
• Baking Sheets: Provides a flat surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without becoming soggy.

How to Bake Pecan Pie Cookies at Home

• Sugar Blend Preparation

Grab your mixer and combine brown sugar, butter, and vanilla until the mixture looks cloud-like and feels super smooth, letting the ingredients dance together for about three minutes.

• Egg Integration

Welcome eggs into your mixture one by one, gently mixing on low speed so they blend seamlessly without disrupting the delicate texture.

• Dry Ingredient Magic

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking soda into a powdery constellation of baking potential, creating a foundation for deliciousness.

• Dough Harmony

Softly incorporate dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing slowly until everything connects like perfect puzzle pieces.

• Pecan Charm

Tenderly fold pecan halves throughout the dough, creating little pockets of nutty surprise in every potential bite.

• Chill Time

Wrap your dough snugly and let it rest in the refrigerator for half an hour, allowing flavors to mingle and texture to settle.

• Baking Preparation

Warm your oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper, creating a welcoming stage for your cookie performance.

• Cookie Formation

Shape small dough balls and place them generously on baking sheets, giving each cookie space to spread and breathe.

• Golden Transformation

Bake until cookie edges turn a gentle golden brown, revealing their delectable character in about eight minutes.

• Finishing Touch

Optional sea salt sprinkle adds a sophisticated whisper of flavor right after pulling cookies from the oven, elevating their delightful personality.

Tasty Tips for Pecan Pie Cookies Success

• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the dough for a deeper, more intense nutty flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
• Cookie dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making party prep a breeze.
• Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing taste or texture.
• Experiment with different extracts like maple or almond instead of vanilla to create unique flavor profiles that complement the pecan's rich taste.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 weeks to enjoy a sweet treat whenever cravings hit.

Serving Pecan Pie Cookies with Flair

• Dessert Pairing Paradise: Serve these pecan pie cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a heavenly contrast of warm, crispy cookies and cold, creamy sweetness.
• Cozy Coffee Companion: Enjoy these rich, nutty cookies with a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or a smooth cappuccino, letting the flavors complement each other perfectly.
• Gifting Gourmet Touch: Package these cookies in a cute mason jar or vintage tin, tied with a rustic ribbon for a homemade gift that will make friends and family feel extra special.
• Holiday Presentation Wow: Arrange cookies on a decorative platter with whole pecans scattered around, creating an elegant display that showcases the cookie's delicious nutty character.

Save and Store Pecan Pie Cookies

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and delicious taste.
• Freezing Magic: Layer cookies between wax paper sheets inside a freezer-safe container. These tasty treats will stay delightful for 3 months, ready for spontaneous snacking.
• Dough Preparation Hack: Make cookie dough ahead and store in refrigerator for 2-3 days before baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap to maintain quality and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Temperature Control Trick: Allow refrigerated dough to soften at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before shaping and baking. This ensures even spreading and perfect cookie texture.

Irresistible Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Homemade pecan pie cookies blend classic Southern dessert flavors into delightful bite-sized treats. Crisp cookie bases topped with gooey caramel-like pecan filling invite you to savor sweet Southern comfort in each delectable morsel.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml) light or dark brown sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) salted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (226 g) pecan halves
• 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Blending Base: Whip brown sugar, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, creamy consistency, approximately 3 minutes.
2. Egg Integration: Incorporate room-temperature eggs one at a time on low speed, ensuring complete absorption without overworking the batter.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda together in a separate bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed, mixing until a smooth, cohesive cookie dough emerges without flour streaks.
5. Pecan Incorporation: Gently fold chopped pecan halves throughout the dough, distributing them evenly for consistent flavor and texture.
6. Chilling Process: Tightly wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to solidify and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
7. Oven Preparation and Shaping: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), line baking sheets with parchment paper, and form uniform dough balls, placing them 3 inches apart to allow proper expansion.
8. Baking and Finishing: Bake on the center rack for 8-10 minutes until edges turn slightly golden brown. Optional: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over warm cookies immediately after removing from the oven, then transfer to wire cooling racks for complete cooling.

Notes

• Chill for Perfect Spread: Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes prevents cookies from becoming too flat and helps maintain their structured shape during baking.
• Salt Enhances Flavor: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt creates a sophisticated sweet-savory contrast that elevates the traditional pecan pie taste.
• Mix Gently: Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent developing tough, dense textures that can make cookies hard.
• Precise Measurement Matters: Use exact measurements for ingredients, especially butter and flour, to ensure consistent cookie texture and reliable baking results.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg