Easy Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe: Bite-Sized Joy

Vegan pecan pie cookies bring a delightful twist to classic dessert traditions, combining rich nutty flavors with plant-based ingenuity.

Sweet and decadent, these delectable treats capture the essence of southern comfort without animal products.

Crisp edges and chewy centers define the magical texture that makes these cookies irresistible.

Maple-infused notes dance alongside caramelized pecans, creating a harmonious blend of indulgence and nostalgia.

Baking enthusiasts will appreciate the simple yet sophisticated approach to reimagining a beloved holiday classic.

Crumbly, buttery, and remarkably satisfying, these cookies offer a compassionate alternative to traditional recipes.

Each bite promises a celebration of flavor and mindful eating.

Why Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Are Just as Good as the Real Thing

• Crafting Sweet Comfort: These vegan pecan pie cookies blend nostalgic dessert flavors into a convenient handheld treat that brings warmth and joy to any gathering.
• Texture Magic: Experience a delightful contrast between the crisp, buttery cinnamon cookie base and the gooey, rich pecan pie filling that melts in your mouth with each delectable bite.
• Simple Baking Brilliance: With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, this recipe offers an approachable baking adventure for both novice and experienced home bakers, making impressive desserts accessible to everyone.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or a cozy weekend treat, these cookies cater to vegan diets while satisfying everyone's sweet tooth with their irresistible combination of flavors and textures.

Ingredients for the Best Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

• Pecans: Crunchy and rich nuts that provide the classic pecan pie flavor and texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a rich filling.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that enhances the traditional pecan pie taste.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken and bind the filling ingredients.
• Water: Helps dissolve and integrate cornstarch.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor to the filling.
• Vegan Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth filling.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of the cookie with a soft, tender texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deeper caramel notes.
• Vegan Butter: Creates tender, rich cookie with a soft crumb.
• Flax Egg: Plant-based egg replacement that binds ingredients.

• Ground Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice: Warm, aromatic spice that complements pecan flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

Baking Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies That Impress

Step 1: Craft The Pecan Pie Filling

• Prepare cornstarch mixture in a small bowl
• Ingredients for mixture
• Water
• Cornstarch

Combine until creating a cloudy paste and set aside.

• Chopped pecans
• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla

Cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring.

Incorporate cornstarch mixture and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until filling becomes thick and glossy.

Let filling cool completely.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Base

• Vegan butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat until mixture becomes fluffy and light.

Add flax egg and vanilla, mixing for additional 30 seconds.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Merge wet and dry ingredients until dough forms.

Refrigerate dough for 30-60 minutes.

Step 3: Shape And Bake Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line baking tray with parchment paper.

Roll 11 equal-sized dough balls.

Coat each ball in extra sugar.

Arrange on baking tray.

Gently flatten balls and create center indentation.

Fill each indentation with cooled pecan filling.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden.

Cool on tray for 5 minutes.

Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Tips for Getting Crunch and Chew in Vegan Pecan Cookies

• Chill Dough Perfectly: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and ensure a firm, crisp texture during baking.
• Create Consistent Indentations: Use the back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press uniform wells in each cookie dough ball for even filling distribution.
• Control Filling Thickness: Cook the pecan pie filling until it's glossy and slightly thickened, but not too dry, to maintain a gooey, rich center.
• Prevent Burning: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking, as the sugars can quickly caramelize and potentially burn.
• Storage Strategy: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How to Store Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies for Days

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their crisp texture. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain cookie's original crunch and prevent sogginess.

Drinks and Snacks That Go with Pecan Pie Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Caramel Latte: A warm, silky caramel latte complements the nutty, sweet pecan pie cookies perfectly. The rich espresso and caramel notes enhance the cinnamon and pecan flavors, creating a delightful taste experience.
• Serve Alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Crumble a warm cookie over a scoop of vegan vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the cookie's crisp edges and gooey pecan filling.
• Match with Spiced Chai Tea: Brew a robust, spicy chai tea that echoes the cinnamon notes in the cookies. The warming spices of cardamom, ginger, and cloves create a harmonious pairing that elevates the dessert's complexity.
• Complement with Maple Bourbon Mocktail: Mix a non-alcoholic maple bourbon-style mocktail with maple syrup, bitters, and sparkling water. The deep, caramel-like flavors mirror the cookie's maple and pecan elements, offering a sophisticated drink pairing.

Flavor Ideas for Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies

• Nutty Chocolate Chip Remix: Fold dark chocolate chips into the cookie dough and sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top before baking for a rich, decadent version.
• Spiced Caramel Crunch: Replace maple syrup with homemade vegan caramel sauce and add a pinch of cardamom to the filling for a complex flavor profile.
• Coconut Crackle Cookies: Mix shredded coconut into the dough and use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for a tropical-inspired treat with added texture.
• Maple Bourbon Blast: Incorporate a splash of bourbon into the pecan pie filling and drizzle with maple glaze after cooling for an adult-friendly cookie experience.

Vegan Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Vegan pecan pie cookies combine classic Southern sweetness with plant-based innovation. Buttery pecan-studded rounds deliver rich caramel notes and crisp textures that invite you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Pecan Pie Filling:

• ½ cup (75 g) chopped pecans
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) vegan butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water
• ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Cookie Dough:

• 1 ½ cups + 3 tablespoons (200 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 g) vegan butter, room temperature
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (120 g) sugar (½ cup for dough, 2 tablespoons for rolling)
• ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar
• 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water)
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Spices and Leavening:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pecan pie filling by creating a cornstarch mixture in a small bowl, ensuring a smooth, cloudy consistency. This slurry will help thicken the filling later.
2. Heat vegan butter in a saucepan over gentle heat. Once it begins to bubble, introduce chopped pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Allow the ingredients to meld and caramelize for 1-2 minutes.
3. Incorporate the cornstarch slurry into the pecan mixture, stirring continuously. Simmer on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes until the filling transforms into a glossy, thick texture. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
4. In a mixing bowl, cream vegan butter with sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer. Whip until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
5. Add the flax egg and vanilla, blending for another 30 seconds to integrate the liquid ingredients thoroughly.
6. Separately, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a cohesive dough forms.
7. Refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes to enhance its manageability and flavor development.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
9. Form 11 uniform dough balls, rolling each in reserved sugar to create a delicate, crystalline exterior.
10. Arrange the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, gently pressing to create a central well for the filling.
11. Carefully spoon the cooled pecan mixture into each cookie’s indentation, ensuring even distribution.
12. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges turn golden and crisp. Let the cookies rest on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Pecans transform ordinary cookies into luxurious dessert experiences with their rich, buttery crunch.
• Cornstarch slurry acts as a magical thickening agent, creating a glossy, smooth pecan pie filling that clings perfectly to each cookie.
• Chilling cookie dough allows gluten to relax, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that prevents excessive spreading during baking.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 163
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 87 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg