Description
Classic butter pecan cookies blend Southern charm with nutty richness, creating irresistible treats. Crisp edges and golden brown perfection invite bakers to savor sweet, buttery comfort with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (230 g / 8.1 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (315 g / 11.1 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (150 g / 5.3 oz) pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Pecan Preparation: Toast chopped pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 350F (175C) oven, stirring midway through 6-7 minutes to achieve a golden, fragrant transformation.
- Cooling Phase: Allow roasted pecans to rest on the baking sheet, enabling their rich, nutty essence to fully develop and intensify.
- Dough Crafting: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, then incorporate vanilla extract and gradually mix in flour, salt, and ground cinnamon to create a cohesive, smooth cookie base.
- Pecan Integration: Gently fold the cooled, toasted pecans into the prepared dough, ensuring even distribution of the nutty elements throughout the mixture.
- Shaping Process: Scoop uniform dough portions onto a fresh parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving adequate space between each cookie to allow for gentle spreading during baking.
- Baking Technique: Return the cookie-laden sheet to the 350F (175C) oven, baking for 12-14 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown, signaling perfect doneness.
- Finishing Touch: Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and textural development.
Notes
Toast Pecans with Precision: Spread nuts in a single, even layer to ensure uniform roasting and prevent burning, which can create bitter flavors.
Control Oven Heat Carefully: Use middle rack placement and exact 350F temperature to achieve golden-brown pecans without scorching, maintaining their delicate nutty essence.
Stir During Roasting: Gently mix pecans halfway through toasting to promote even color development and prevent potential hot spots that cause uneven browning.
Cool Pecans Completely: Allow toasted pecans to rest on baking sheet until fully cooled, letting residual heat continue subtle flavor development and preventing moisture in cookie dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg