If you’re looking for a cookie that practically sings with buttery flavor, crunchy toasted nuts, and a rich, caramelized sweetness, this Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe is going to win your heart. Each bite delivers the best of toasty pecans and decadent brown butter, baked into a chewy cookie with a slightly crisp edge. Whether you’re eager to impress friends at your next get-together or after a new treat to enjoy with coffee, these cookies are pure comfort and sophistication all at once.

Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Great news: this recipe doesn’t ask for anything complicated, just honest, staple ingredients that come together to make magic. Every item on this list matters—fresh pecans for crunch, brown butter for depth, and a hint of spice all work in harmony to create the ideal Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe.

Pecans: Use fresh halves for irresistible crunch and a heavy-duty nutty flavor that defines these cookies.
Unsalted butter: Melting and browning the butter transforms the flavor, lending a bold, toasty aroma that no regular butter can match.
All-purpose flour: Just the right base for structure, ensuring your cookies hold together but stay tender.
Cornstarch: A little bit goes a long way, giving these cookies a perfectly soft and melt-in-your-mouth center.
Salt: Balances out all the sugar and highlights the butter and pecans beautifully.
Ground cinnamon: Just a whisper gives subtle warmth and complements the nutty flavors.
Baking soda: Helps your cookies to rise ever so slightly and develop a plush texture.
Dark brown sugar: Adds moisture, chewiness, and a rich, almost caramel-like sweetness you’ll notice in every bite.
Granulated sugar: Delivers classic cookie sweetness and helps the edges crisp up ever so slightly.
Vanilla extract: Rounds everything out with deep flavor and cozy aroma.
Eggs and egg yolk: The extra yolk gives these cookies a tender richness and lovely golden color.
Pecan halves (for topping): Makes each cookie look bakery-worthy and enhances texture (totally optional, but highly recommended for wow factor!)

How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Buttered Pecans

Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in those chopped pecans and let them gently toast for 4 to 5 minutes. You’re looking for a light golden color and a toasty fragrance filling your kitchen. Cooling them down before adding them to the dough is crucial—hot nuts will melt your dough and muddle the texture!

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together your flour, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. This even distribution means every cookie will have a hint of spice, balanced saltiness, and that soft chewiness we all crave from a Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe.

Step 3: Brown the Butter

This is where the distinct, nutty depth of flavor really comes in. Melt your butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Watch closely as it foams and pops, swirling the pan as the butter deepens to a rich amber color and releases those never-to-be-forgotten nutty aromas. Pull off the heat quickly and pour into a mixing bowl, including those delicious brown bits—they’re pure flavor!

Step 4: Combine Butter and Sugars

Whisk the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar right into your freshly browned butter. This ensures the sugars dissolve together, creating a smooth base that gives your cookies their signature caramel notes and chewy middle.

Step 5: Add Vanilla and Eggs

Stir in your vanilla extract for warmth, then add the eggs and that extra yolk one at a time, mixing just until it’s all incorporated. Don’t overmix—gentleness at this stage keeps your Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe tender.

Step 6: Mix in Dry Ingredients and Pecans

With a rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Next comes the star: add in your cooled, buttered pecans, distributing them so every single cookie gets plenty of nutty crunch without overworking the dough.

Step 7: Chill the Dough

This part is all about patience (and trust me, it’s worth it)! Cover and chill your dough in the fridge for at least four hours or overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to meld, the dough to firm up, and prevents spreading, so you get thick, bakery-style cookies every time.

Step 8: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line two big baking sheets with parchment. Scoop out big, three-tablespoon balls of dough and place them several inches apart. Press a pecan half onto each (if you like), then bake them one tray at a time for 10 to 11 minutes. If you notice spreading, it’s easy to nudge the warm edges back with your spatula right out of the oven.

Step 9: Garnish and Cool

As soon as the cookies come out, sprinkle a little granulated sugar on top for old-school sparkle and serve-them-fresh appeal. Let them cool on the tray for 15 minutes—the wait lets them set up before transferring to a rack for complete cooling.

How to Serve Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For that extra bit of indulgence, a sprinkle of coarse sugar or a finishing shower of powdered sugar transforms these cookies into a bakery-style treat. Topping each cookie with a toasted pecan half before baking not only looks stunning but also adds a crisp, nutty highlight to every bite.

Side Dishes

Pairing is half the fun! Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe shines alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mug of creamy coffee. They’re also perfect with fresh fruit—think crisp apple slices or juicy pears—to strike a flavorful balance between rich and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Pack these cookies into beautiful glass jars for gifting, or arrange them on a rustic wooden platter at your next gathering. Stack a few in a bakery box lined with parchment for a homespun touch, or sandwich a scoop of cinnamon ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate dessert upgrade.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll stay soft and flavorful, especially if you add a slice of sandwich bread to the container—it works wonders at maintaining that just-baked freshness.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply let baked cookies cool completely, then layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. You can also freeze scoops of cookie dough—just bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two onto the baking time for fresh cookies whenever the craving hits.

Reheating

For that irresistible, just-baked aroma, rewarm your cookies in a low oven (300°F) for 3 to 5 minutes. This perks up both flavor and texture, restoring the perfect edge-to-chew ratio that makes the Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe shine.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Absolutely! Just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to keep things balanced. Salted butter adds a wonderful depth, but be cautious so the cookies don’t end up too salty.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, this dough is very make-ahead friendly. You can chill it in the fridge for up to 48 hours before scooping and baking, or freeze pre-portioned dough balls for even longer storage.

What’s the trick to getting thick, bakery-style cookies?

It’s all about chilling the dough thoroughly and using a big scoop! Chilling prevents excess spreading, and larger balls of dough bake up beautifully thick with that chewy center.

Are there any nut-free substitutions?

If you need a nut-free option, try substituting toasted sunflower seeds or simply skip the pecans—the browned butter still gives these cookies lots of richness and depth of flavor!

Can I double the Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe?

Definitely! This dough scales up well for sharing at parties or filling your freezer. Just mix in batches if your bowl isn’t big enough, and bake as directed for the same delicious results.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to experience the comfort and delight of homemade Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe. There’s something so rewarding in transforming simple ingredients into treats that feel both nostalgic and utterly special. Give this recipe a try and fill your home with the scent of brown butter and toasted pecans—you’ll be hooked after the first batch!