Butter Pecan Cookies - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (2024)

This Butter Pecan Cookies recipe features a buttery homemade cookie dough embellished with pecans and toffee bits. That combination turns these cookies into an out of this world snack with a tall glass of cold milk.

Best Southern Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe

It’s no secret that we love pecans in the South and any excuse to use them will do. The caramel flavor of this cookie dough is rich and buttery and you can’t go wrong serving them warm or at room temperature. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or elbow deep in holiday baking, these cookie won’t last long in your cookie jar. How to make Butter Pecan Cookies from scratch: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Pecans: For depth of flavor toast the pecans in a 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Cookie Dough:Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a separate large bowl, use a mixer to cream together butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Beat for around 2 minutes or until fluffy and light beige in color. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Lower the speed of the mixer and slowly add the dry ingredients. You’ll need to stop and scrape the sides of the bowl periodically. After all of the flour has been added beat for 30-60 seconds.
• It’s best to mix in the pecans and bits-o-brickle by hand.
• Bake:After chilling the dough, use a scoop to divide into even portions. Bake for 14-16 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven until golden.
• Remove from the pan to a cooling rack to cool completely.

How to Make the Best Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe

In my world, if the title of a recipe begins with butter and it’s immediately followed with pecans you know it’s going to be scrumptious.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Butter Pecan Cookies: Chopped pecans, all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, large eggs and English toffee bits otherwise known as bits-o-brickle.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: One stand mixer or hand mixer, sheet pans, measuring cups and spoons, nut chopper or sharp knife and cutting board, large bowl, medium bowl, cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, whisk and cooling rack.
• Why toast the pecans? You may opt to skip toasting the pecans but it does add a nice depth of flavor to the cookies. Make sure your cool them completely before adding to the cookie dough.
• For the best result, this cookie dough needs to be chilled before baking. Chilling the dough allows the butter to solidify which results in a chunky, thick and chewy cookie.
• If you bake these Southern style butter pecan cookies immediately after preparing the dough, they will spread and become thin and crispy. If that’s what you want, go for it.
• It’s best to chill the dough for at least one hour which will yield a chewy cookie that’s crisp around the edges.
• Are these cookies soft and chewy? These cookies are slightly chewy in the middle with crispy edges.
• How long can I keep the butter pecan cookie dough? When using the freshest of dairy, you can keep this cookie dough in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container prior to baking.
• This cookie dough will keep frozen for up to 2 months.
• prior to baking them for a great time saver and it freezes well, too. I bake these cookies for my family year-round.
• If you’d like to go a step further, sprinkle the tops with additional toffee bits prior to baking to give the cookies a little extra toffee crunch. You may also opt to gently press a pecan half into the center. Should you choose to do so, there’s no need to toast the pecan halves in advance only the pecans going into the dough.
• Take them up a level and serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel for a butter pecan caramel sundae. That turns these cookies into a company worthy dessert.
• Store baked Butter Pecan Cookies at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
• You can also freeze this cookie dough for up to 2 months.

More Southern Style Cookies Recipes to Make

When you’re in the mood for cookies you may already have everything on hand to make a batch yourself. More cookie recipes you may like to try:

• Island inspired Key Lime Coconut White Chocolate Chip Cookies.
• Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies are impossible to resist.
• Loaded Butterscotch Toffee Pecan Cookies are buttery and sweet.
• Molasses Cookies are a fall favorite.
• Fruit Pizza Sugar Cookies can be topped with your favorite fruit.
• Glazed Lemon Cookies have a burst of citrus in every bite.
• Almond Joy Cookies are chewy and delicious.
• Hazelnut Cookies from Dessert for Two.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Baking Sheets
• Measuring Set
• Mixer