Easy, soft, and chewy butter pecan cookies made from scratch with simple ingredients! These cookies are packed with toasted pecans and toffee bits, making them perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any cozy treat at home.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just craving a sweet snack, these cookies are a surefire crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love These Butter Pecan Cookies
- Soft & Chewy: Perfectly tender cookies with a slightly crisp edge.
- Loaded with Flavor: Toasted pecans and optional toffee bits add rich, nutty sweetness.
- Quick & Easy: Minimal prep and simple ingredients make these a go-to homemade treat.
- Versatile: Add chocolate chips, coconut, oatmeal, or even caramel for a twist.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ cups pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
- ½ cup toffee bits (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Mix in eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder. Slowly mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in Pecans & Toffee: Add chopped pecans and toffee bits, distributing evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate dough for 30–45 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop small portions of dough and roll into balls. Optionally, roll each ball in granulated sugar. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 11–14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Centers will remain soft and slightly poofy, deflating as they cool.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let cookies cool slightly on the tray before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips & Variations
- Pecan Shortbread Cookies: Mix finely chopped pecans into a shortbread dough.
- Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies: Add semi-sweet, white, or dark chocolate chips.
- Coconut or Oatmeal: Toast coconut before adding or replace some flour with oats for extra chewiness.
- Browned Butter: For a richer flavor, brown the butter first and let it cool before mixing.
- Caramel-Stuffed Cookies: Add caramel in the center for a gooey surprise.
- Bourbon Flavor: Mix 2 tablespoons bourbon into the dough for a warm, festive touch.
- Cookie Bars: Spread dough in a pan, bake, and slice into bars.
Storage
- Room Temperature: Keep in a cookie jar for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze Dough: Dough can be frozen up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Tip: Avoid freezing baked cookies; nuts may lose their crunch when thawed.
Nutrition (per cookie, makes ~30 cookies)
- Calories: 172 kcal
- Carbs: 19 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Potassium: 47 mg
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 11 g
Soft, buttery, and packed with nutty flavor, these homemade butter pecan cookies are an easy way to make every occasion feel special. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or just indulging yourself!
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