Oh my goodness, if you haven’t tried butter pecan cookies yet, you are in for a delightful treat! These cookies are like little bites of heaven, with a rich buttery flavor and that irresistible crunch from the pecans. I can’t even describe how comforting they are, especially when they come out of the oven warm and fragrant. The combination of the soft, chewy texture with those toasted pecans just hits the spot every time. Trust me, once you taste these buttery, nutty delights, you’ll want to whip up a batch to share—or maybe just keep them all to yourself!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple ingredients to make your butter pecan cookies shine:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming, and don’t skimp on those fresh pecans—they’re the star of the show!
How to Prepare Butter Pecan Cookies
Now, let’s get into the fun part—making those delicious butter pecan cookies! Follow these steps and you’ll have a batch of cookies that everyone will rave about. It’s all about the little details, so let’s dive in!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly! While the oven warms up, you can get everything else ready.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, start by creaming together your softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. I like to use an electric mixer for this part, but a good old-fashioned whisk works too! You want to beat it until it’s light and fluffy—this is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture. It should look a bit like whipped clouds! Yum!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, crack in those 2 large eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix well until everything is just combined. This is where the magic starts to happen! Make sure the eggs are well incorporated so your cookies will have that rich flavor throughout.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Once that’s mixed, gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Don’t dump it all in at once! Stir gently until just combined—overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we don’t want that!
Step 5: Fold in Pecans
Now for the best part: fold in your chopped pecans! Use a spatula to gently incorporate them into the dough. This technique helps keep the dough airy and light, which is what we’re going for. Trust me, those pecans add the perfect crunch!
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Time to drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I like to use a cookie scoop for uniformity, but a tablespoon works fine too! Bake them in your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until they’re golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them—once they start to smell heavenly, they’re close to being done! Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the aroma wafting through your kitchen!
Tips for Success
To make your butter pecan cookies truly irresistible, here are a few handy tips! First, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes can help your cookies hold their shape and be a bit thicker—definitely worth the wait! Also, using fresh pecans enhances that nutty flavor, so don’t skimp on quality. If you want a little extra richness, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warm twist. Lastly, keep an eye on your cookies while they bake; they should be golden brown at the edges but still soft in the center for that perfect chewy texture. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the nutritional values for these delicious butter pecan cookies. Keep in mind, these are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
So, as you enjoy these buttery, nutty delights, you can feel good knowing a little about what’s in them! Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while still getting a hint of nuttiness with those pecans. Enjoy every bite!
FAQ Section
Got questions about butter pecan cookies? No worries! Here are some common queries that might help you out:
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! While pecans are my favorite, you can swap them out for walnuts or even almonds if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change a bit, but it’ll still be delicious!
How do I store leftover cookies?
Store your butter pecan cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, you can pop them in the fridge! Just make sure they’re well-sealed to keep them fresh.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can! Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add a minute or two to the baking time!
What if I don’t have brown sugar?
If you’re out of brown sugar, you can make a quick substitute by mixing granulated sugar with a bit of molasses. For each cup of brown sugar, use 1 cup of granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon of molasses. Easy peasy!
How can I make my cookies thicker?
Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking really helps! It firms up the butter, which results in thicker cookies. You can also try adding a bit more flour if you want them to hold their shape even better!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor: The rich buttery taste combined with crunchy pecans creates a flavor explosion that’s simply delightful!
- Perfect Texture: Each cookie is soft and chewy with just the right amount of crunch—it’s the best of both worlds!
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can whip up a delicious batch without any fuss.
- Great for Sharing: These cookies are perfect for gatherings, and they disappear quickly, so be prepared to share the love!
- Customizable: Feel free to mix in your favorite nuts or even add chocolate chips for a fun twist!
- Make Ahead: You can prep the dough in advance and bake them fresh whenever you want a sweet treat!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve baked up a delicious batch of butter pecan cookies, you’ll want to make sure they stay fresh and tasty! To store any leftovers, simply place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last about a week, but I bet they won’t last that long because they’re just too good!
If you want to keep them even longer, you can pop them in the fridge. Just make sure they’re well-sealed to prevent them from drying out. Now, if you find yourself with some cookies that need a little revival, don’t worry! You can reheat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will warm them up perfectly and make them taste freshly baked again.
Alternatively, if you prefer the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and bake them for about 5 minutes. This will get them nice and warm while keeping that delightful, chewy texture. Enjoy every last crumb!
Print
Butter Pecan Cookies: 7 Heavenly Bites to Enjoy
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious butter pecan cookies with a rich flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped pecans.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use fresh pecans for the best flavor.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: butter pecan cookies, cookies, dessert
