Irresistible Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe: Bite-sized Holiday Joy

Sweet, buttery pecan pie cookies blend the classic Southern dessert into an irresistible bite-sized treat that captures hearts with every crumbly, caramel-rich morsel.

These delectable cookies carry the warm, nostalgic essence of traditional pecan pie in a compact, shareable form.

Each cookie delivers a perfect balance of crisp edges and soft centers, topped with a gleaming layer of caramelized pecans.

Nuts provide a delightful crunch that complements the rich, sugary base, creating a harmony of textures and flavors.

Bakers who love simple yet impressive desserts will adore this innovative twist on a beloved classic.

Prepare to be the star of any gathering with these mouthwatering morsels that promise to disappear quickly from the dessert plate.

Everything That Goes Into Pecan Pie Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, seek fine-grain sugar for smooth mixing.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers, select high-quality unsalted butter for pure flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and tanginess, opt for full-fat variety at room temperature.

• Maple Syrup: Delivers deep caramel-like sweetness, select pure grade A maple syrup for authentic flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Provides rich molasses undertones, choose dark brown sugar for intense depth.
• Egg Yolk: Binds filling and adds luxurious richness, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors with warm complexity, pick pure vanilla for best taste.
• Salt: Balances sweet notes, use fine sea salt for subtle enhancement.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor, select fresh, plump pecans for maximum taste and texture.

Helpful Tools For Pecan Pie Cookies

• Food processor: Essential for quickly mixing dough ingredients and creating a smooth, consistent texture.
• Mini muffin tin: Crucial for shaping and baking the cookie cups with uniform size and perfect wells.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing the pecan pie filling ingredients smoothly.
• Small knife: Helpful for carefully loosening cookies from the muffin tin.
• Wire rack: Necessary for cooling cookies completely and maintaining their crisp texture.
• Measuring spoons: Useful for precise ingredient portioning.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Handy for stirring the filling ingredients.

Bake Pecan Pie Cookies In Just A Few Steps

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a cozy 350F setting. Grab your mini muffin tin and give it a light spray to ensure those delightful pecan treats slide out smoothly.

• Dough Creation

Blend flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Toss in cold butter and cream cheese, letting the machine work its magic until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into 24 adorable little balls, gently pressing each into the muffin tin’s cozy wells. Create a tiny center depression for the upcoming filling. Pop the tin in the freezer for a quick 5-minute chill.

• Filling Magic

In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, a golden egg yolk, vanilla, and a whisper of salt. Fold in chopped pecans, creating a rich, glossy mixture that promises pure deliciousness.

• Cookie Assembly

Carefully spoon the pecan filling into each dough pocket. Be gentle – these little guys will bubble and dance during baking, so don’t overfill.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the tin into the oven and let the cookies bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for golden-brown edges and a perfectly set filling that signals culinary success.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Let the cookies rest in the tin for 10 minutes. Use a small knife to lovingly coax each cookie out, transferring them to a wire rack for the final cool-down before indulging in their nutty, sweet goodness.

Quick Tips For Better Pecan Pie Cookies

• Butter Temperature Trick: Keep butter and cream cheese extremely cold for the flakiest, most tender cookie crust. Cut into small cubes and freeze for 10 minutes before mixing to ensure perfect texture.
• Pecan Perfection: Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add deeper complexity to the filling. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. Add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain its structure.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and filling up to 2 days in advance. Store dough balls in the refrigerator and filling in a sealed container. Assemble and bake just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Flavor Twist Options: Experiment with alternative nuts like walnuts or almonds. Swap maple syrup with honey or add a splash of bourbon to the filling for an adult-friendly version that adds rich, complex undertones.

Ways To Serve Pecan Pie Cookies With Flair

• Festive Holiday Party Platter: Arrange these delightful pecan pie cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary, creating a stunning display that celebrates seasonal charm.
• Gourmet Dessert Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the decadent pecan pie cookie experience with complementary creamy textures.
• Coffee and Comfort Pairing: Match these sweet treats with a rich espresso or warm chai latte, allowing the nutty pecan flavors to beautifully harmonize with the robust beverage notes.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a perfect homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or holiday gatherings that spreads delicious joy.

Save And Store Pecan Pie Cookies For Later

• Smart Storage Strategies: Transfer cooled cookies to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture and prevent sticking.
• Chilled Delight Shelf Life: Refrigerate for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing pecan filling from becoming soggy or losing its rich flavor.
• Freezing Magic Technique: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore original deliciousness.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare cookie dough and filling separately up to 2 days in advance. Keep dough refrigerated and filling in a sealed container, allowing quick assembly when ready to bake fresh treats for unexpected guests or sudden sweet cravings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

Irresistible Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering pecan pie cookies blend classic Southern dessert inspiration with crisp cookie perfection. Buttery shortbread base and rich caramel-like pecan topping promise sweet indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 10 tbsps (141 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 5 oz (142 g) cream cheese, cold and cubed
• ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
• ⅓ cup maple syrup (or light corn syrup)
• ¼ cup (50 g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray for seamless cookie extraction.
2. Dough Development: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add cold butter and cream cheese, blending until a unified dough emerges. Shape into 24 equal balls, pressing into muffin tin cavities. Briefly freeze to stabilize the dough’s structure.
3. Pecan Filling Creation: Whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, egg yolk, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Gently fold in chopped pecans, ensuring even distribution throughout the sweet mixture.
4. Filling and Baking: Delicately spoon one teaspoon of pecan filling into each dough cavity, avoiding overflow. Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden edges and set filling.
5. Cooling and Finishing: Let cookies rest in the tin for 10 minutes. Carefully loosen with a small knife, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their crisp texture and intricate shape.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Freeze the dough balls for 10-15 minutes before filling to maintain their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
• Prevent Overflow Technique: Use a small measuring spoon or dropper to precisely control the amount of pecan filling, avoiding messy spillage in the muffin tin.
• Customize Nut Options: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for different flavor profiles, perfect for accommodating nut preferences or dietary restrictions.
• Master Even Baking: Rotate the muffin tin halfway through cooking to ensure uniform golden edges and consistent filling set across all cookies.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg