Irresistible Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

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It is tough to resist these well-made Pecan Pie Cookies with a perfectly flaky, buttery crust and a malty, sweet, and soothing pecan pie filling. With the goodness and crunch of pecans in every bite but half the work, these cookies are bound to be your new favorite sweet treat!

These cookies are especially popular during the fall and winter season because they offer a comforting taste of pecans in a convenient, handheld dessert. The best part is that these Pecan Pie Cookies are easy to put together without any hassle.

Some of you may wonder how a cookie can replace a crumbly pie crust. But that’s the thing! The cookie base resembles shortbread so much that you may think you are eating mini pecan pies instead of cookies!

With their crisp edges, soft centers, and crunchy pecan topping, these cookies are sure to become your favorite. So, without any further ado, check out the complete recipe details below.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Measuring Cups: Use measuring cups to weigh everything out, and I also recommend leveling all your ingredients with them.
Measuring Spoons: This recipe requires very small quantities of leavening agents and flavorings. Hence, keep a set of measuring spoons handy.
Large Bowls: Two large bowls will be good enough for this recipe, one to make the cookie dough and the other to store your pecan pie filling once it is ready.
Whisk: I use a large balloon whisk to whip up the butter and sugar for the cookie dough, as it gives them the right amount of air pockets.
Silicone Spatula: This piece of equipment will help combine all the ingredients while making the cookie dough and easily scrape the pecan pie filling without leaving any bits behind.
Saucepan: A medium-sized saucepan is ideal for filling your pecan pie.
Baking Tray: A baking tray that fits your oven well is perfect for baking the cookies.
Parchment Paper: To prevent the cookies from sticking to the tray, I suggest lining the tray with parchment paper before placing the cookies on it.
Large Spoon: A large spoon will help scoop the pecan pie filling into the cookies easily.

Pecan Pie Cookies Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The listed ingredients will easily make about 8 pecan pie cookies.

1 Cup Butter: You must divide the butter into two portions: ¼ cup for the pecan pie filling and ¾ cup for the cookies. I recommend using unsalted butter for this recipe, as salted butter may ruin the overall flavor.
½ Cup Sugar: I recommend using caster sugar for this recipe. It has a fine, smooth texture and will melt much faster than granulated sugar for the filling. You can also use coconut sugar to give your filling a tropical flavor.
1 Cup Brown Sugar: This is the only sugar we will add to the actual cookie dough. It will give the cookies some moisture and help them develop the malty flavor pecan pies are known for.
3 Tablespoons Corn Syrup: Added to the pecan pie filling to make it thick and shiny.
¾ Cup Pecans: I would suggest using roasted pecans, as they tend to give a better flavor, and you can use them roughly chopped for this recipe.
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour: I often use cake flour in place of all-purpose flour. However, do not use bread flour because it has too much gluten.
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder: The perfect leavening agent to make the cookies rise, just enough.
1 Large Egg: This will help bind all the ingredients together, and also give the cookie dough some moisture.
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract: I add fresh vanilla extract to remove the egg flavor and give these cookies a lovely scent while they are baking.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Baking Time	Total Time
30 Minutes	10 Minutes	40 Minutes

How To Make a Pecan Pie Cookie At Home

Step 1

Add ¼ cup of butter to a saucepan and let it melt.

Step 2

Once the butter begins to melt, add caster sugar.

Step 3

You can add the chopped pecans as soon as the butter and sugar melt together.

Step 4

Let the pecans cook with the butter and flour.

Step 5

Then, add a splash of corn syrup and let everything cook for a little while till it forms a smooth filling.

Step 6

After a while, your butter and sugar will begin to caramelize along with the pecans, which is when you add the corn syrup. Then, let it boil, transfer it to a bowl, and let it cool.

Step 7

To prepare the cookies, melt the remaining ¾ cup of butter and add it to a large bowl.

Step 8

Follow the process by adding brown sugar to the melted butter and whisking until well combined.

Step 9

Add your egg and mix gently to ensure the dough does not curdle.

Step 10

Top the mix with vanilla extract.

Step 11

It is time to add flour to the cookie dough mix.

Step 12

Next, add the baking powder to the bowl and gently fold it into the dough with a spatula.

Step 13

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and roll out the dough into 8 cookies. Place them on the tray and gently indent the center with your thumb to create a shallow well.

Step 14

Top the indentations with pecan pie filling, a spoonful in each. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes until done.

Step 15

Enjoy while hot, or let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

To make the pecan pie filling more flavorful, I often sprinkle ground cinnamon and nutmeg over it.
I usually replace the white sugar added to the filling with light brown sugar for an extra malty flavor.
If your cookie dough seems too soft to shape and work with, chill it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, then divide the dough and make the cookies.
For a fun flavor addition, I recommend adding a little dark chocolate to your pecan pie filling.

FAQs About Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Why can’t the flour be whisked into the cookie dough?

Rather than whisking the flour, it is better to fold it gently into the cookie dough, as whisking may cause the dough to become very lumpy.

Can baking soda be used instead of baking powder as a leavening agent?

No, baking soda cannot be used in this recipe as we are not adding any acidic agent. The baking soda has nothing to react with, and it will make the cookies flat and hard after baking.

Is it okay to use self-raising flour for this recipe?

It is best to use a combination of all-purpose flour and baking powder rather than self-raising flour, as the proportions of the latter will be very different from what we need for this recipe.

Why are roasted pecans better for the pecan pie filling?

Roasted pecans tend to have a deeper flavor; hence, they are a better option for the filling. But if you don’t have them, using regular pecans is perfectly fine.

How can you prevent the dough from curdling when adding eggs?

If you are worried that your cookie dough will curdle when you add eggs, I suggest not adding the entire egg at once. Instead, whisk the egg in a separate bowl, add it bit by bit, and mix. This will definitely prevent the dough from curdling.

Can a hand mixer be used to make this cookie dough?

It is unnecessary, as creaming sugar with melted butter can easily be done by hand. However, you can use a hand mixer if you fancy.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Pecan pie cookies are not a healthy option as they are high in calories, added sugar, and fat. Hence, it is best to enjoy these cookies once in a while, too, in moderate amounts.

Calories	570 kcal
Carbohydrates	58 g
Protein	6 g
Fat	37 g
Saturated Fat	12 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	6 g
Trans Fat	16 g
Cholesterol	62 mg
Sodium	274 mg
Potassium	132 mg
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	31 g
Vitamin A	543 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	64 mg
Iron	2 mg

These cookies, along with being unhealthy, can also not be enjoyed by people who have gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, tree nut allergies, vegans, vegetarians, and those on a ketogenic diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: I suggest adding silken tofu in the same quantity as eggs. Butter can be replaced with plant-based butter of your choice.
Gluten-Free Diet: Simply replace the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
Dairy-Free Diet: Those with lactose intolerance should substitute plant-based butter for the butter in this recipe.
Keto Diet: This recipe may be a little tricky to make keto-friendly. So, you might need to make keto-friendly cookies or use ketogenic flour for this recipe.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing These Cookies

On The Counter: You can easily store these cookies in an airtight container on the kitchen counter in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
In The Refrigerator: If you want to keep these cookies fresh for a month or so, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
In The Freezer: To keep the cookies good for about 4 to 5 months, I suggest storing them in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag and placing them in the freezer. This is not the best way to store these cookies, but it is the best option if you would like to keep them for a few months.

Reheating The Cookies

In the Microwave: Place them on a microwave-safe plate. Then, reheat the cookies at the highest heat setting for 30-second intervals until they are soft and gooey. It usually takes 1 minute in my microwave to get them perfectly gooey.
In the Oven: I suggest preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and letting the cookies heat up for 5 minutes until they are soft and gooey.

What To Serve With This Recipe

These pecan pie cookies are honestly pretty delicious, just on their own. However, they also go well with an array of sides. The best thing to serve with these cookies is a tall glass of cold milk. But to take it further, you can also serve them with some Sweet Whipped Cream or Cool Whip.

Another great addition to these exceptional cookies is any flavored Ice cream. For an indulgent flavor, I recommend some Chocolate Sauce or thick Toffee Sauce on the side. Last but not least, these cookies taste pretty great with a simple Cinnamon and Sugar Cake.

Printable Version

More Cookie Recipes That You Can Try

How To Make Bobby Flay Chocolate Cookies At Home — Bobby Flay Chocolate Chip Cookies

Conclusion

Baking can seem challenging, but honestly, it is all about precise ingredient measurements and following the steps carefully. If you follow these two things properly, it is very unlikely that your Pecan Pie Cookies will turn out poorly.

Once you try the recipe, whether it is the original or a variation, let me know in the comments how it turned out for you. I will return with more such recipes; until then, happy baking.