Everything you love about pecan pie in thin, chewy, rich, buttery pecan pie cookies! These crowd-pleasing cookies are quick, easy, and absolutely amazing! Perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet treat any day of the week, pecan pie cookies bring all the delightful flavors of the classic dessert into a fun and portable form. Their soft texture and rich taste will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: These cookies can be prepared in just 10 minutes and baked within 8 minutes, making them an ideal choice for last-minute gatherings.
- Deliciously Rich Flavor: The combination of brown sugar and butter creates a deep flavor that mirrors traditional pecan pie.
- Versatile Treat: Perfect for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or simply as an everyday snack with coffee or tea.
- Crowd-Pleasing: With a rich buttery taste and crunchy pecans, these cookies are sure to win over friends and family alike.
- Easy to Customize: Add chocolate chips or different nuts if you’d like to switch things up!
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into this delicious recipe, gather your tools to ensure a smooth baking experience. Having everything ready will help streamline the process.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Stand mixer or large mixing bowl
- Whisk attachment (if using a stand mixer)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Parchment paper
- Cookie sheets
- Spatula
Importance of Each Tool
- Stand Mixer: Makes it easier to cream butter and sugar until fluffy. This is key for achieving the right cookie texture.
- Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and ensures even baking.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2 cups light or dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1 cup salted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups pecan halves
How to Make Pecan Pie Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add the eggs, beating on low until just combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed until just incorporated.
- Using a spatula, gently fold in the pecan halves.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps improve texture and flavor.
Step 4: Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
- Using a small cookie dough scoop or your hands, form dough balls about 1.25 inches in diameter.
- Place them at least 3 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake in the center of the oven for approximately 8 minutes or until edges are slightly golden brown.
- If desired, sprinkle thick flakes of sea salt on top immediately after removing from the oven.
Enjoy your freshly baked pecan pie cookies!
How to Serve Pecan Pie Cookies
Pecan pie cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be paired with a variety of accompaniments for an enhanced experience. Here are some fun serving suggestions that will elevate your cookie enjoyment.
With a Glass of Milk
- A classic pairing! The creamy texture of milk balances the richness of the cookies perfectly.
Warm with Ice Cream
- Serve these cookies warm and top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between hot and cold is irresistible.
Drizzled with Chocolate
- Add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the cookies for an extra layer of sweetness and flavor.
Accompanied by Coffee
- Pair these cookies with a cup of coffee. The bitterness of coffee complements the sweetness of the pecan pie cookies beautifully.
On a Dessert Platter
- Arrange pecan pie cookies on a dessert platter along with other treats for a delightful presentation at gatherings or parties.
How to Perfect Pecan Pie Cookies
To ensure your pecan pie cookies turn out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips. Implementing these suggestions will lead to irresistible results.
Use room temperature butter: This helps achieve a creamy texture when mixed with sugar, resulting in soft and chewy cookies.
Chill the dough: Allowing the dough to chill for about 30 minutes helps firm it up, preventing excessive spreading during baking.
Measure flour correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off without packing it down. This avoids dry cookies.
Don’t overbake: Remove the cookies from the oven when they are just lightly golden around the edges. They will continue to cook slightly after being taken out.
Experiment with nuts: Feel free to mix in different nuts like walnuts or almonds for varied flavors while keeping the pecans as the main ingredient.
Store properly: Keep any leftover pecan pie cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and chewy texture.
Best Side Dishes for Pecan Pie Cookies
When serving pecan pie cookies, consider pairing them with delightful side dishes that complement their rich flavor. Here are some great options:
Fresh Fruit Salad: A refreshing medley of seasonal fruits can balance the sweetness of the cookies.
Cheese Platter: Include a variety of cheeses; sharp cheddar pairs well with sweet desserts like pecan pie cookies.
Chocolate Fondue: Dip pieces of cookie into warm chocolate fondue for an indulgent treat that guests will love.
Caramel Sauce: Offer caramel sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling over your pecan pie cookies.
Whipped Cream: Lighten up dessert time by serving whipped cream alongside your cookies for added creaminess.
Spiced Nuts: A bowl of spiced nuts adds crunch and contrasting flavors that enhance the cookie experience.
Tea Selection: Provide an assortment of herbal or spiced teas to complement the rich flavors of pecan pie cookies.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Set up a tiny sundae station where guests can create their own sundaes using your delicious pecan pie cookies!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making pecan pie cookies can be simple, but a few common mistakes may affect your results. Here are some errors to watch out for:
Using cold butter: Cold butter will not cream well with the sugar, leading to dense cookies. Always use room temperature butter for the best texture.
Skipping the chill time: Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies chewy. Don’t skip this step if you want perfect pecan pie cookies!
Overmixing the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
Not measuring ingredients accurately: Use proper measuring techniques for flour and brown sugar. Incorrect measurements can alter the cookie’s structure and flavor.
Ignoring baking time: Every oven is different. Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake to avoid over or undercooking them.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store pecan pie cookies in an airtight container.
- They will stay fresh for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
Freezing Pecan Pie Cookies
- Freeze cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag.
- They can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating Pecan Pie Cookies
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F and warm for about 5 minutes for a freshly baked taste.
- Microwave: Heat individually for 10-15 seconds, but be cautious not to overheat.
- Stovetop: Heat in a non-stick skillet over low heat for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about making pecan pie cookies, you’re not alone! Here are some common queries answered.
How do I make Pecan Pie Cookies from scratch?
To make pecan pie cookies, follow the recipe instructions carefully, ensuring you mix ingredients at proper speeds and chill the dough before baking.
Can I substitute ingredients in my pecan pie cookie recipe?
Yes! You can use unsalted butter instead of salted, or swap in different nuts like walnuts if you prefer. Just keep an eye on flavor changes.
What if my pecan pie cookies spread too much?
If your cookies spread too much while baking, it could be due to warm dough or insufficient chilling time. Always chill your dough before baking!
How long do Pecan Pie Cookies last?
Pecan pie cookies can last in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week and can be frozen for up to three months.
Final Thoughts
These pecan pie cookies are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining rich flavors with a chewy texture. They are quick and easy to make, perfect for any occasion! Feel free to customize with chocolate chips or different nuts for added variety—your imagination is the only limit!
Pecan Pie Cookies
Pecan Pie Cookies are the perfect blend of chewy, buttery goodness and classic pecan pie flavor. These delightful treats are quick and easy to make, taking under 30 minutes from start to finish. With their rich brown sugar base, crunchy pecans, and a hint of vanilla, they are sure to impress at holiday gatherings or as a cozy snack any day. Whether enjoyed warm with ice cream or paired with a cup of coffee, these cookies bring all the flavors you love about traditional pecan pie into a fun, portable form.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups light or dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1 cup salted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat together brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually incorporate this mix into the wet ingredients until just combined, then fold in pecans.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Form dough into balls (about 1.25 inches) and place on prepared sheets with enough space in between.
- Bake for approximately 8 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
