Sweet & Nutty Butternut Cookies Recipe: A Cozy Fall Treat

Warm butternut cookies bring memories of grandma’s cozy kitchen and sweet afternoon treats.

Nutty aromas drift through home spaces, promising delightful comfort in every bite.

Soft, golden edges hint at delectable textures waiting to surprise you.

Crisp autumn afternoons feel magical with these simple yet irresistible snacks.

Ingredients dance together, creating magic beyond typical dessert expectations.

Baking becomes an adventure that connects generations through shared culinary joy.

Curious bakers should roll up sleeves and transform humble ingredients into delicious magic.

Why Butternut Cookies Are Buttery And Soft

• Craft Simple Sweets: Perfect for bakers wanting to create delightful treats without complicated steps.
• Master Flavor Fusion: Butterscotch chips and pecans combine for a rich, nutty taste that elevates traditional cookie recipes.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies impress guests with minimal kitchen effort, making them ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert moments.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust glaze thickness and nut quantities to match personal preferences, creating a personalized sweet experience.

What Goes Into Butternut Cookies Recipe

• Butter: The rich and creamy base that provides a smooth texture and delicious flavor to the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The essential ingredient that gives structure and body to the cookie dough.

• Butterscotch Chips, Pecans: These ingredients add delightful crunch and sweet, nutty flavor to the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk (or Water), Rum Extract: Creates a sweet and aromatic glaze that adds an extra layer of flavor and shine to the cookies.

How To Bake Butternut Cookies At Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Prepare your oven by heating it to 350F. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cookie Base

• Butterscotch chips
• Finely chopped pecans

Step 3: Form Cookie Rounds

Scoop out small portions of dough, rolling them into bite-sized balls. Place these cookie balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Use your palm or a spoon to gently press down and flatten each cookie.

Step 4: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges turn a delicate golden color while centers remain soft. After removing from oven, let cookies rest on baking sheets briefly before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 5: Whip Up Rum Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Rum extract

Stir ingredients until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more milk or sugar as needed.

Step 6: Decorate With Glaze

Once cookies have completely cooled, drizzle rum glaze across the top of each cookie. Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans over the wet glaze so they stick perfectly.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Allow glaze to set for a few minutes. Serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea for a delightful treat.

Baking Tips For Perfect Butternut Cookies

• Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version of these delightful butterscotch cookies.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create perfectly round cookies.
• Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the recipe.
• Use a small cookie scoop for consistent cookie sizes and even baking throughout the batch.
• Replace rum extract with vanilla extract for a kid-friendly version that still delivers amazing flavor.

Fun Flavors For Butternut Cookie Variations

• Maple Pecan Cookies: Replace butterscotch chips with maple chips and swap rum extract for maple extract, creating a rich Canadian-inspired cookie version.
• Chocolate Chip Butternut Cookies: Substitute butterscotch chips with dark chocolate chips and add cocoa powder to the dough for a deeper chocolate flavor profile.
• Spiced Butternut Cookies: Mix in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dough for a warm, seasonal cookie that highlights autumn flavors.
• Coconut Butternut Cookies: Add shredded coconut to the dough and replace rum glaze with a coconut-infused glaze for a tropical touch.

Pairing Ideas For Butternut Cookies

• Pair with Bold Coffee: Dark roast coffee complements the rich butterscotch and pecan flavors, creating a warm and indulgent taste experience.
• Enhance with Spiced Rum Cocktail: A light rum cocktail with cinnamon and nutmeg echoes the rum extract in the glaze, adding depth and complexity to the cookie's sweetness.
• Match with Caramel Cream Liqueur: The smooth, sweet liqueur harmonizes perfectly with the butternut cookie's butterscotch chips and nutty undertones, offering a luxurious dessert pairing.
• Complement with Vanilla Chai Tea: The spicy, creamy notes of chai tea balance the cookie's sweetness while highlighting its warm, comforting profile.

How To Keep Butternut Cookies Fresh

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Place unglazed cookies in freezer-safe containers, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing.
• Keep glazed cookies in sealed container at cool, dry spot for 2-3 days. Separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking.
• Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavor.

Butternut Cookies Recipe Questions Answered

• Can I substitute the butterscotch chips?

Yes, you can replace butterscotch chips with white chocolate chips or caramel chips for a similar sweet flavor profile.

• Do I need to refrigerate the dough before baking?

No, you can roll and bake the cookie dough immediately after mixing. Chilling isn’t necessary for this recipe.

• Is rum extract mandatory for the glaze?

No, you can omit the rum extract or substitute it with vanilla extract for a different flavor. The glaze will still be delicious.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and soft centers. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so avoid overbaking.

Butternut Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 27-35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet butternut cookies bring warmth and nostalgia to holiday baking traditions. Spiced with cinnamon and crafted with rich, creamy butternut squash, these delicate treats invite you to savor seasonal comfort in each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter (room temperature)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Seasoning:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Create a creamy base by blending butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and airy. Incorporate salt, then gradually fold in flour until a cohesive dough forms.
3. Enhance the dough by gently mixing in butterscotch chips and finely chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
4. Form uniform cookie portions by rolling dough into small, tablespoon-sized balls. Arrange them on prepared baking sheets, spacing approximately 1½ inches apart.
5. Gently flatten each cookie using your palm or the back of a spoon to create a slightly compressed shape.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges while maintaining soft centers.
7. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Craft a smooth rum glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and rum extract in a small bowl. Adjust consistency as needed to achieve a pourable texture.
9. Once cookies are entirely cooled, delicately drizzle rum glaze over each cookie’s surface.
10. Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans atop the wet glaze to ensure they adhere perfectly.
11. permit glaze to set for several minutes before serving or storing. Ideal when paired with a warm beverage.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and smoother cookie texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading during baking.
• Toast pecans briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add depth to the cookies.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 201
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 22 mg