Butter Pecan Cookies

These butter pecan cookies are an irresistible mix of crunchy pecans, creamy butter, and sweet brown sugar, all wrapped in a single, soft, and chewy treat.

Jump to Recipe

Table of Contents

Butter Pecan Cookie Recipe Ingredients
Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe Substitution and Addition
How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies
How to Serve Butter Pecan Sugar Cookies
Storing These Easy Butter Pecan Cookies
Why Butter Pecan Cookies are the Best
Butter Pecan Cookie Recipe FAQs
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
More Delicious Recipes

These delicious melt-in-your-mouth butter pecan cookies are soft on the inside, with a slight crunch to each bite. Delightfully buttery and richly flavorful with delicate toasted pecan pieces tucked inside, they will quickly become a family favorite!

Sour Cream Cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

Butter pecan cookies have a way of tantalizing your taste buds with every bite. The combination of the rich, buttery flavor and the toasted, nutty goodness of the pecans creates an indulgent taste that is hard to resist.

Golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside, yet soft and chewy on the inside, each cookie is like a little piece of heaven.

You’ll need these simple ingredients:

For The Toasted Pecans:

3 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter
1⅔ cups of chopped pecans

For The Brown Butter:

1 cup of salted sweet cream butter

For The Cookie Dough:

2½ cups of all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of baking powder
½ teaspoon of baking soda
1¼ cups of dark brown sugar, tightly packed
½ cup of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs, room temperature
42 pecan halves, for garnish
1 cup of caramel bits
2 tablespoons of water
Coarse sanding sugar, optional garnish
Coarse sea salt, optional garnish

Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe Substitution and Addition

BUTTER: You can make the cookies with softened butter instead of brown butter, but browned butter takes the taste to a whole new level.

SEA SALT: You can add a small amount of coarse sea salt to the tops of the balls of dough, but it can overpower the cookie due to using salted sweet cream butter.

SUGAR: You can use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar.

How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies

Let’s walk through the steps to make this utterly irresistible buttery and nutty cookie recipe.

STEP ONE: Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. Add the three tablespoons of butter to a 10-inch skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.

Add 1⅔ cups chopped pecans to the melted butter. Stir continuously for one to two minutes until the pecan pieces are completely coated and release a warm, nutty aroma. Transfer the toasted pecans to the lined baking dish and set aside.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can also toast the pecans in the oven for five to seven minutes at 350°F. You can also toast the pecans on the stovetop without the butter.

toasted pecans transferred to a baking dish

STEP TWO: Add one cup of butter to a light-colored skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often.

Once the butter begins to foam and the milk solids are separating, the solids at the bottom of the pan will turn a golden brown and smell nutty. Remove the skillet from the heat and pour it into a medium-sized heatproof bowl.

Do not leave the browned butter in the skillet; it will continue to cook and will burn. Allow the butter to cool completely.

PRO TIP:

We do not recommend using a nonstick or dark-colored skillet; you will need to be able to see the change in color to avoid burning the butter.

STEP THREE: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda to a medium-sized bowl. Whisk to combine. Set the flour mixture aside.

STEP FOUR: Using a stand mixer or a large bowl and a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the completely cooled brown butter, dark brown sugar, white sugar, and pure vanilla extract for two to three minutes until completely incorporated.

brown sugar, brown butter, white sugar, and vanilla blended together

STEP FIVE: Lower the electric mixer speed to medium-low. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg.

STEP SIX: Add half of the dry ingredients at a time, mixing just until incorporated.

flour mixture added to the brown sugar mixture

STEP SEVEN: Add in the toasted pecan pieces and mix just until well combined.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for three hours. You can also chill the dough overnight.

toasted pecan added to the flour mixture

STEP EIGHT: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

STEP NINE: Depending on which size cookie you want, use either a 1½-tablespoon or 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough.

Roll the dough into a ball.

If you want to add sparkle, roll the dough ball in the coarse sanding sugar.

Place the cookie dough balls two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Gently press a pecan half onto the center of the dough ball. If you wish, add a second pecan half to the 1½ tablespoon dough ball.

For the 1½-tablespoon scoop, bake for nine to ten minutes.

For the one tablespoon scoop, bake for seven to eight minutes. The cookie edges should look light golden brown.

Allow the baked cookies to rest on the baking sheet for two to three minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

STEP TEN: For the caramel drizzle, add the caramel bits to a small microwave-safe bowl.

Add 1½ tablespoons of water to the caramel bits.

Heat in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until the caramel is smooth.

Drizzle the melted caramel over the tops of the cookies once they are cooled.

Allow the drizzle to harden before serving.

How to Serve Butter Pecan Sugar Cookies

These buttery cookies make the perfect addition to your cookie jar for an afternoon or evening snack. Serve them with a cold glass of milk, Wendy’s Frosty, or a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate.

For something extra indulgent, try crumbling them over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or sandwiching a scoop of ice cream between two freshly baked cookies for a homemade ice cream sandwich that’s sure to please.

We also love these fluffernutter cookies and Twix cookies for a sweet treat.

MORE COOKIE RECIPES

Cookie Recipes

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Cookie Recipes

No Spread Sugar Cookies

Storing These Easy Butter Pecan Cookies

These cookies are perfectly fine on the counter, but you can also freeze the unbaked cookies so that you can just bake a few at a time as needed. Here’s how.

ON THE COUNTER: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze the unbaked butter pecan cookie dough balls for up to two months. Place all of the dough balls onto a lined baking sheet. Wrap the entire baking sheet with plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil. Allow the dough balls to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as instructed.

Why Butter Pecan Cookies are the Best

These melt-in-your-mouth delicacies feature brown sugar and pecans with soft and chewy centers. We guarantee after one bite, you won’t be able to resist these delicious brown butter pecan cookies.

Can I freeze this butter pecan cookie recipe?

These pecan butter cookies can be frozen for up to two months.

Can I freeze the unbaked cookies?

The dough balls for these cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer until you are ready to bake them. Thaw and bake them when you are ready to enjoy them.

What size cookie scoop should I use?

This recipe calls for a medium scoop which is approximately a 1½-tablespoon scoop. You can also use a 1-tablespoon or small cookie scoop, but you will have to adjust the baking time.

More Recipes You’ll Love

5 from 1 vote

These butter pecan cookies are an irresistible mix of crunchy pecans, creamy butter, and sweet brown sugar, all wrapped in a single, soft, and chewy treat.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 8

Total Time 3 48

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

Toasted Pecans

3 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter
1⅔ cups pecans, chopped

Brown Butter

1 cup salted sweet cream butter

Cookie Dough

2½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1¼ cups dark brown sugar, tightly packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra large eggs, room temperature
42 pecan halves, for garnish
1 cup caramel bits
2 tablespoons water
Coarse sanding sugar, optional garnish
Coarse sea salt, optional garnish

Instructions

Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. Add the 3 tablespoons of butter to a 10-inch skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the 1⅔ cups chopped pecans to the butter. Stir continuously for 1 to 1½ minutes until the pecan pieces are completely coated and release a warm, nutty aroma. Transfer the toasted pecans to the lined baking dish.
You will need a medium-sized heatproof bowl to pour the browned butter into. Add the 1 cup of butter to a light-colored skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often. (I do not recommend using a nonstick or dark-colored skillet, you will need to be able to see the change in color to avoid burning the butter). Once the butter begins to foam and the milk solids are separating, the solids at the bottom of the pan will turn a golden brown and will smell nutty. Remove the skillet from the heat and pour it into a heatproof bowl. Do not leave the browned butter in the skillet, it will continue to cook and will burn. Allow the butter to cool completely.
Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda to a medium-sized bowl. Whisk to combine. Set it aside.
Using a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the completely cooled brown butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract for 2 to 3 minutes until completely incorporated.
Lower the mixer speed to medium-low. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg.
Add ½ of the flour mixture at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
Add in the toasted pecan pieces and mix just until well combined. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours. You can also chill the dough overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Depending on which size cookie you want, use either a 1½ tablespoons or 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough. Roll the dough into a ball. If you want to add sparkle, roll the dough ball in the coarse sanding sugar. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press a pecan half onto the center of the dough ball. If you choose the 1½-tablespoon scoop, bake for 9 to 10 minutes. If you choose the 1 tablespoon scoop, bake for 7 to 8 minutes. The cookie edges should look light golden brown. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
For the caramel drizzle, add the caramel bits to a small microwave-safe bowl. Add 1½ tablespoons of water to the caramel bits. Heat in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until the caramel is smooth. Drizzle the melted caramel over the tops of the cooled cookies. Allow the drizzle to harden before serving.

Notes

You can also toast the pecans in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes at 350°F. You can also toast the pecans on the stovetop without the butter.
We do not recommend using a nonstick or dark-colored skillet; you will need to be able to see the change in color to avoid burning the butter.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

Nutrition

Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb

More Delicious Recipes

Popular Dessert Recipes

Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Rhadonda Sedgwick Creative Director
Sian Cox Photographer
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Teresia Shrum Recipe Developer