Description
These Easy Butter Pecan Cookies are a holiday baking essential, offering a perfect balance of buttery richness, crunchy pecans, and a hint of sweetness. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive nutty flavor, these cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Made with simple pantry staples and loaded with toasted pecans, these cookies are quick to whip up and even quicker to disappear. Whether you’re baking for cookie exchanges, gifting, or simply enjoying a cozy treat by the fire, these butter pecan cookies are a timeless addition to your holiday dessert lineup.
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Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (see instructions below)
Optional Garnish:
- Extra pecan halves (for topping before baking)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting after baking)
Instructions
Step 1: Toast the Pecans
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the chopped pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Let cool completely before using.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Fold in Pecans: Gently fold in the toasted chopped pecans using a spatula.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
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Scoop and Shape: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. If desired, press a pecan half into the top of each cookie for decoration.
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Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
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Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
