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The BEST Butter Pecan Cookies ever! 🧈 Crunchy pecans, buttery flavor, and golden edges make these cookies a family favorite. 🍪
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Pin ItButter Pecan Cookies Recipe
If you love rich, nutty desserts, this Butter Pecan Cookies recipe is the one for you. Every bite is filled with a buttery flavor and toasted pecans, providing the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch.
Whether you’re looking for a classic treat or a new favorite, this recipe for Butter Pecan Cookies will quickly become a staple in your baking rotation.
These cookies have that melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them taste like homemade bakery treats. The browned butter flavor and crunchy pecans evoke the charm and comfort of the South, just as a classic Southern Butter Pecan Cookies recipe should.
Perfect for holiday platters, potlucks, or simple afternoon cravings, these cookies are always a hit.
If you’ve ever loved butter pecan shortbread cookies, you’ll adore this soft and chewy version. It’s a blend of everything you love about buttery shortbread with a tender cookie texture that makes this the best Butter Pecan Cookies recipe you’ll ever try.
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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients and no chill time make it quick and easy.
- Loaded with pecans for that classic Southern flavor.
- Perfect for gifting, holidays, or cookie swaps.
- Soft centers with slightly crisp edges make them irresistible.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- unsalted butter – use salted butter and reduce added salt to ¼ teaspoon
- brown sugar – substitute with light brown sugar for a milder flavor
- granulated sugar – can substitute with raw cane sugar for a slightly coarser texture
- eggs – bring to room temperature for smoother mixing
- butter extract – substitute with maple extract for a warm, caramel-like twist
- vanilla extract – use pure vanilla for the best flavor
- all-purpose flour – substitute with gluten-free baking flour blend if needed
- cornstarch – helps create soft cookies; can be omitted for a slightly crispier texture
- baking soda – ensures the cookies rise evenly
- salt – omit if using salted butter
- pecans – substitute with walnuts or leave out for a nut-free version
✨ Variations
- Chocolate drizzle: Add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top for an extra decadent touch.
- Maple twist: Replace butter extract with maple extract for a rich, caramel-like flavor.
- Toasted pecans: Toast the pecans before adding them for a deeper flavor.
- Butter pecan shortbread cookies: Omit the cornstarch for a crispier texture closer to shortbread.
🔥 Tips
- Always measure your flour correctly by spooning and leveling to prevent dense cookies.
- For the best flavor, use real butter instead of margarine.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing to maintain their texture.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for a gourmet touch
❓ FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Absolutely. Walnuts or hazelnuts work well, but pecans give that signature Southern flavor.
Your butter may have been too soft or melted. Chill the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm.
Yes, roll it into balls and freeze. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes of bake time.
Not quite. This version is softer and chewier, while shortbread cookies are more crumbly and crisp.
Toasting is optional but recommended. It enhances the nutty flavor and adds a little extra crunch.
Yes, this recipe easily doubles for parties, holidays, or gifting. Just be sure to use a larger mixing bowl.
Absolutely. Press the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake for 18-22 minutes for delicious butter pecan cookie bars.
Bake until the edges are just golden brown. The centers may look slightly soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool.
Yes! White or dark chocolate chips pair perfectly with the buttery pecan flavor.
You can, but the extract adds that signature buttery aroma. Substitute with extra vanilla if needed.
Yes! They travel well. Stack them between parchment layers in a sturdy tin or container.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Butter Pecan Cookies
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Equipment
- mixing bowl (large and medium)
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- rubber spatula
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons 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 chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter, ⅔ cup brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth. Then add the vanilla and butter extracts; mix until combined.2 large eggs, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ teaspoons butter extract
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.2 cups all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons cornstarch, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in two additions, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the chopped pecans.2 cups chopped pecans
- Scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon portions and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for 10-14 days.
- Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
- Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 6-8 months.
♨️ REHEATING
- Microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften.
- Warm in a 300°F oven for 4-5 minutes for a just-baked texture.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze dough balls on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Bake the frozen dough at 350°F, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen is warm to prevent spreading.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
- For an extra flavor boost, toast the pecans before folding them into the dough.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Air fryer: Bake 4-5 cookies at 320°F for 7-8 minutes.
- Convection oven: Reduce temperature to 325°F and bake 8-9 minutes.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Crumble leftover cookies over ice cream or yogurt.
- Use as a crust base for cheesecake or pie bars.
📝 NOTES
- These cookies pair perfectly with coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Add a drizzle of caramel or white chocolate for a bakery-style finish.
- This recipe is perfect for holidays and cookie exchanges.
- For bakery-style flavor, brown the butter before creaming it with the sugars.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
