Irresistible Pecan Cookies Recipe: Sweet Joy in Minutes

Sweet, buttery pecan delight cookies dance with rich, nutty flavors that melt in your mouth.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center packed with Southern charm.

These irresistible treats bring warmth and comfort to any gathering.

Crunchy pecans nestle perfectly within a delicate, golden-brown backdrop of pure deliciousness.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of sweetness and toasted nuttiness.

Bakers and cookie lovers will fall head over heels for this classic Southern-style recipe.

Grab a plate and savor the magic of these pecan-packed delights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 201 kcal

Servings: 25

Everything Inside Pecan Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and helps create a tender cookie base with smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, crisp texture with golden-brown edges.
• Confectioners Sugar: Delivers delicate sweetness and creates a silky, smooth finishing coating for the cookies.

• Cold Water: Helps bind ingredients and maintain dough consistency without compromising texture.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic depth and subtle sweetness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and creates a tender, crumbly cookie base.
• Pecans: Introduces rich, nutty crunch and distinctive toasted flavor that complements the sweet cookie background.

Baking Setup for Pecan Cookies

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough smoothly.
• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining ingredients and preparing cookie dough.
• Spatula: Perfect for folding pecans into the dough and scraping sides of the bowl.
• Baking Sheet: Needed for baking cookies evenly and preventing sticking.
• Parchment Paper: Helps cookies release easily and prevents burning.
• Wire Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp Knife: Used for slicing chilled dough into even cookie discs.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps wrap and chill the dough before baking.

Simple Steps to Make Pecan Cookies

• Softened Butter Base

Create a creamy foundation by blending butter until smooth and light, generating a fluffy texture that will become the heart of your delightful cookies.

• Sweet Sugar Transformation

Gradually incorporate sugars into the butter mixture, whipping until the combination becomes silky and well-integrated, developing a rich flavor profile.

• Liquid Magic

Introduce cold water and vanilla, mixing thoroughly to enhance the cookie’s depth and provide moisture to the developing dough.

• Flour Integration

Slowly fold flour into the wet ingredients, creating a cohesive dough that will serve as the perfect canvas for your pecan-studded treats.

• Nutty Companion

Gently fold chopped pecans throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to ensure each bite contains a delightful crunch.

• Chilling Preparation

Shape the dough into a log, wrap securely, and refrigerate for at least an hour to solidify and concentrate flavors.

• Slice and Arrange

Remove chilled dough, cut into thin discs, and position carefully on a prepared baking sheet, allowing space between each cookie.

• Golden Baking

Bake in a preheated oven until edges turn golden and bottoms develop a beautiful light brown color, creating a perfect crisp texture.

• Sweet Finish

Let cookies cool completely, then dust with a delicate layer of powdered sugar for an elegant, sweet conclusion.

Ideas to Improve Pecan Cookies

• Pecan Magic Moments
• Dough Chill Trick: Refrigerating the dough helps cookies maintain their shape and develop deeper, richer flavors during baking.
• Nutty Texture Boost: Toast pecans before chopping to intensify their natural buttery and earthy taste, adding extra depth to the cookie's flavor profile.
• Sugar Sprinkle Technique: Use a fine-mesh sieve for an even, delicate dusting of Confectioners sugar, creating a professional bakery-style finish.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Serving Pecan Cookies Just Right

• Cookie Pairing Paradise: Serve these delicate pecan cookies alongside a steaming cup of dark roast coffee or earl grey tea for a sophisticated afternoon treat.
• Sweet Gifting Idea: Package these cookies in a rustic mason jar or elegant cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a homemade gift that shows thoughtful craftsmanship.
• Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange the cookies on a festive platter with other bite-sized treats like chocolate truffles and mini fruit tarts to create a stunning dessert display that will impress guests during holiday gatherings.
• Decadent Topping Twist: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies or sprinkle crushed pecans on top to elevate their presentation and add an extra layer of rich, nutty flavor.

Pecan Cookies: Store Like a Pro

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicate texture and rich pecan flavor.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap cookie dough log tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to develop and making baking day a breeze.
• Freshness Tip: Place a piece of bread in the storage container to help cookies stay soft and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.

Heavenly Pecan Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Irresistible pecan delight cookies combine Southern charm with sweet nutty flavors. Rich buttery dough studded with toasted pecans creates a classic homestyle treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks / 1 lb / 454 g), room temperature
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsps cold water
• 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cookie removal.
2. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and granulated sugar using medium-speed mixer until achieving a light, fluffy consistency, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Sugar Integration: Carefully blend confectioners sugar into the creamed mixture at reduced mixer speed to prevent powdery dispersion.
4. Liquid Infusion: Introduce cold water and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until ingredients seamlessly combine.
5. Flour Incorporation: Gently fold all-purpose flour into the creamy base using low-speed mixer, ensuring smooth integration without overworking the dough.
6. Pecan Embellishment: Delicately fold chopped pecans into the mixture using a flexible spatula, embracing the slightly crumbly texture.
7. Chilling Process: Form dough into a compact log, wrap securely in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to enhance flavor and structural integrity.
8. Precise Cutting and Placement: Remove chilled dough, slice into uniform 1/4-inch discs, and arrange strategically on prepared baking sheet with ample spacing.
9. Baking and Finishing: Bake for 15-17 minutes until bottom turns golden-brown and edges remain delicately pale, then transfer to wire cooling rack and optionally dust with confectioners sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerate dough for at least one hour to intensify taste and improve cookie texture, allowing ingredients to meld perfectly.
• Prevent Overmixing: Mix flour gently and briefly to avoid tough cookies, stopping when ingredients are just combined for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Watch Baking Time: Monitor cookies closely during last few minutes of baking to achieve golden-brown bottoms without burning, as ovens vary in temperature and performance.
• Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest on wire rack immediately after baking to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crisp edges, ensuring perfect texture and crunch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 201
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg