Butter Pecan Cookies
These butter pecan cookies are loaded with buttery pecans and will have everyone hooked after one bite. This old-fashioned cookie is a classic treat that never goes out of style.
National Pecan Cookie Day is September 21st. But if you want to celebrate all year long, you can make these butter pecan cookies. The dough is easy to make and, once baked, they last up to 2 weeks!
You won’t be able to resist the toasted pecans and extra butter flavor. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, giving as a gift, or keeping in your cookie jar for when a craving hits.
Pair these with toffee cookies, turtle cookies, and these chocolate mint cookies to fill your cookie jar with variety in no time!
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Butter – Softened, unsalted butter is best. If you only have salted butter then decrease your salt to ¼ teaspoon.
- Butter extract – To really bring out the butter pecan flavor, you need butter extract. If you don’t have it, add a little melted butter.
- Nuts – Since the nuts are the other star of the show, use high quality nuts. I like to toast my pecans before using in the recipe to bring out more of their flavor.
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How To Make Butter Pecan Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cream the butter in a large bowl until fluffy. I use a hand mixer and whip it for 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time and combine until smooth. Add in vanilla extract and butter extract and mix until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- In two batches, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Fold the pecans, gently, into the dough. I do this by hand.
- Using a tablespoon or ice cream scoop form dough into balls. Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart. At this point you can add a pecan half on top of the cookie for more flavor and decoration.
- Bake at 350F for 9-10 minutes or until the edges start to turn a light, golden brown. Remove from the oven and let set on the cookie sheet for a few minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage
The cookies will keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to store in an airtight container or zip top bag. They will keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
If you want to get your baking done ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully for up to 6 months.
Prep Ahead
Baking when you get a cookie craving is easy! Prep the dough, roll into balls, and store it in the fridge for 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
For best results, let the dough balls come to room temperature before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Butter pecans” are pecans cooked in butter and a little bit of sweet vanilla extract. They are chopped and added to ice cream, cakes, etc.
Crispy Cookies vs Chewy Cookies
What can make the difference in how your cookies turn out? Here are a few tips!
- Using brown sugar make a chewier, softer cookie. White sugar makes the cookie crispier.
- A lighter, cake like cookie comes by using whipped butter. Melted butter gives you a denser and chewier cookie.
- Add egg yolks instead of a whole egg adds more fat and gives you a chewier cookie.
- All purpose flour is standard but I use bread flour when I want a chewier cookie.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Don’t be salty – If using salted butter, reduce to ¼ teaspoon salt in the dough.
- Get nutty – Choose the best pecans and store in the fridge or freezer (high oil content causes spoiling). Toast at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or in brown butter in skillet for maximum flavor.
- No spreading – If your kitchen is warm, wrap dough and chill 30 minutes before scooping. Use parchment paper or lightly spray cookie sheet.
- Get kooky – Add in chocolate chips, toffee bits, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips for more flavor.
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This butter pecan cookie recipe is full of chopped pecans and rich butter flavor. They will absolutely melt in your mouth!
Butter Pecan Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter unsalted, softened
- ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoon butter extract
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy; 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs in 2 increments and mix until smooth. Then add vanilla and butter extract; mix until combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix together butter and flour mixtures by adding the flour mixture in 2 increments until dough forms.
- Fold pecans into the dough.
- Scoop dough into 1 tablespoon scoops. Place on a lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart
- Bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes or until the edges start to turn a golden brown.
- Remove from pan to cool on a cooling rack.
Notes
- Don’t be salty – If using salted butter, reduce to ¼ teaspoon salt in the dough.
- Get nutty – Choose the best pecans and store in the fridge or freezer (high oil content causes spoiling). Toast at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or in brown butter in skillet for maximum flavor.
- No spreading – If your kitchen is warm, wrap dough and chill 30 minutes before scooping. Use parchment paper or lightly spray cookie sheet.
- Get kooky – Add in chocolate chips, toffee bits, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips for more flavor.
Nutrition
Check out this annual celebration to all things cookies. Follow along as I join a multitude of other bloggers making cookies for a great cause and make this the sweetest season!
Join me and a bunch of other bloggers baking cookies for a great cause! Check out my Sprinkle Cookies and my White Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes this week for even more delicious reasons to donate and help cure childhood cancer!
Want to see all the other delicious cookie recipes? Click the link (Sweetest Season Cookie Recipes).
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