Description
Creamy butter pecan cookies melt with Southern charm, offering a delightful blend of nutty richness and sweet comfort. Rich, golden-brown treats invite cookie enthusiasts to savor each crumbly, warm bite of pure homemade happiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.25 cups pecan halves
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.25 cups dark brown sugar
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Binding Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
Seasoning and Leavening Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Garnish:
- Maldon flake sea salt
Instructions
- Carefully toast chopped pecans in a skillet with melted butter over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Create brown butter by cooking butter in a separate pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, swirling periodically until it reaches a rich amber color with a nutty aroma. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate briefly to cool.
- Cream softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until smooth and fluffy. Incorporate the cooled brown butter, then mix in eggs and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Gradually fold in flour, cornstarch, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon, mixing until just combined. Gently fold in the toasted pecans, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Chill the dough for optional enhanced flavor development, approximately 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto prepared sheets, maintaining 2-inch spacing between cookies.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges while centers remain slightly soft.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Optionally sprinkle with Maldon sea salt for a sophisticated flavor contrast.
- Serve alongside a chilled glass of milk for a delightful treat.
Notes
- Perfectly toast pecans by stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensure even golden-brown color.
- Brown butter develops a rich, nutty flavor that intensifies the cookie’s depth; watch carefully to avoid scorching.
- Chilling the dough helps cookies maintain their shape and concentrates the caramel-like brown butter flavor.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg