Soft Butter Pecan Cookies — Buttery soft dough with big chunky pecans in every bite! Salty-and-sweet and so hard to resist!!
Easy Fall Cookie Recipe
I loved this cookie dough so much that it was hard to even bake it because I just kept nibbling on it. But I’m so glad I did.
The butter pecan cookies are super soft, buttery, full of rich pumpkin flavor and there are plenty of pecans in every bite.
I used a dough base I haven’t used since I made Candy Corn Cookies last fall. I’ve also used it for Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies and Maraschino Cherry White Chocolate Cookies. It calls for 2 tablespoons of cream or half-and-half. The cream really tenderizes the dough and it just melts in your mouth.
The dough is slightly sweeter, creamier, and tastes more buttery than my trusty chocolate chip cookie dough base and is the perfect contrast to the crunchy, preservative-free Fisher Pecans I used.
Between the pumpkin pie spice and the scent of pecans baking, you’ll be ready for fall in no time. Salty-and-sweet, soft and chewy, and so hard to resist. I loved these. One of my personal favorites of the year.
What’s in Butter Pecan Cookies?
To make this butter pecan cookie recipe, you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Cream
- All-purpose flour
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Fisher Pecan Halves
How to Make Butter Pecan Cookies
Cream together the butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla, then add in the dry ingredients. Fold in the pecans last.
Scoop the cookie dough into balls and chill for at least 3 hours.
Once the dough has had time to chill, bake until the edges have set and tops are just set, even if slightly undercooked, pale, and glossy in the center.
Do I Have to Chill the Cookie Dough?
Yes! Do not bake with unchilled dough because the pecan cookies will bake thinner, flatter, and be more prone to spreading.
How to Store Butter Pecan Cookies
Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Alternatively, unbaked cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months, so consider baking only as many cookies as desired and save the remaining dough to be baked in the future when desired.
Tips for Making Butter Pecan Cookies
Make sure to buy raw pecan halves, not roasted salted pecans.
When placing the cookie dough onto the baking tray, I recommend strategically placing a few pecans on top of each mound of dough by taking pecans from the underside and adding them to top.
Pecans that bake directly on the baking sheet on the undersides of the cookies could become overly browned, so try to shield them with dough or relocate to tops/sides.
Pin This Recipe
Buttery Pecan Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Buttery soft dough with big chunky pecans in every bite! Salty-and-sweet and so hard to resist!!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch salt, optional and to taste (if your nuts are already salted, keep this in mind when adding salt)
- 2 cups Fisher Pecan Halves
Instructions
- To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or large mixing bowl and electric mixer) combine the butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until creamed and well combined, about 4 minutes.
- Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the cream, and beat on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute.
- Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, corn starch, baking soda, optional salt, and beat on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute.
- Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the pecans, and beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
- Using a large cookie scoop, 1/4-cup measure, or your hands, form approximately 14 equal-sized mounds of dough, roll into balls, and flatten slightly. ** (see tips below)
- Place mounds on a large plate or tray, cover with plasticwrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, up to 5 days. Do not bake with unchilled dough because cookies will bake thinner, flatter, and be more prone to spreading.
- Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with a Silpat or spray with cooking spray. Place dough mounds on baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart (I bake 8 cookies per sheet).
- Bake for about 10 minutes, or until edges have set and tops are just set, even if slightly undercooked, pale, and glossy in the center; don’t overbake. Cookies firm up as they cool.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for about 10 minutes before serving. I let them cool on the baking sheet and don’t use a rack.
Notes
**Tips: Strategically place a few pecans on top of each mound of dough by taking pecans from the underside and adding them to top. Pecans that bake directly on the baking sheet on the undersides of the cookies could become overly browned; try to shield them with dough or relocate to tops/sides.
Storage: Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Alternatively, unbaked cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months, so consider baking only as many cookies as desired and save the remaining dough to be baked in the future when desired.
Dough base adapted from Candy Corn White Chocolate Softbatch Cookies.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
14Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 296Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 110mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 4g
More Fall Cookie Recipes:
Soft and Puffy Pumpkin Spice Honey Cookies — Super soft cookies that just melt in your mouth! You’re going to love these puffy cuties!
Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies — These pumpkin oatmeal cookies are bursting with chocolate chips in every bite! They’re thick, hearty, perfectly chewy, and not at all cakey.
Candy Corn and White Chocolate Softbatch Cookies — These Halloween cookies are PACKED with candy corn and white chocolate chips. They’re easy to make and are always a hit with the kids!
Sea Salt Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies – Super soft, perfectly chewy, SALTY-AND-SWEET chocolate chip pecan cookies that are AMAZING!! An EASY, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe!!
Chai Snickerdoodles — The chai spices give the cookies so much depth of flavor. Cozy, comfort-food cookies that warm you up inside.
Soft and Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies — Dense and not at all cakey, with the perfect balance of chewy edges and soft, tender, pillowy centers!
Soft & Chewy Molasses Gingerdoodles — These soft molasses cookies taste like a cross between chewy gingerbread cookies and crinkly snickerdoodles. An unbeatable holiday cookie recipe!
This post was brought to you by Fisher Nuts. Recipe, images, and opinions expressed are my own. #thinkfisher
I hope you don’t mind, but I enjoyed your pumpkin recipe so much, that I put a link to it on my new blog. I can’t wait for Autumn :) http://www.frolicinflorida.com
Thanks, glad you enjoyed these!
Hello Averie, the buttery pecan recipes are divine. My only regret is that I didn’t triple the batch. They are PERFECT.
I was wondering if I can use the same recipe minus the pecans for a chewy gingerbread man? will it work?
Thanks for the delicious recipe. Perfect for the Holidays… and every day :)
So glad you like these and that they were perfect for you! If you’re looking for a soft and chewy gingerbread cookie, I just posted these today and they’re amazing. I haven’t tried rolling out the dough and so not sure how they would work as ‘men’ but as cookies, they are amazing! https://www.averiecooks.com/2014/12/soft-chewy-molasses-gingerdoodles.html
Hey Averie, I just wanted to tell you that I wanted to play it safe and I made this recipe (minus pecans) for gingerbread man. They turned out AMAZING. I got awesome feedback from my daughter’s school and my colleagues. I made the same exact dough, minus pecans and added1/4 cup molasses. I let the dough stay in the fridge for 2 days, and they turned out heavenly. Soft and tasty, exactly like a gingerbread man cookie should be. I have no issue rolling out the dough and cutting it into shapes. Again, thanks for your wonderful recipes.
Keep blogging and we’ll keep baking!
Glad these came out great for you and rollout molasses gingerbread men cookies! They sound heavenly and thanks for all the details as it will help someone I’m sure who reads the comments! Happy holidays and if you still don’t have enough gingerbread cookies, I posted this recipe a few days ago :) https://www.averiecooks.com/2014/12/soft-chewy-molasses-gingerdoodles.html
Oh, I forgot to mention that I tripled the recipe! they made about 70 gingerbread men rolled into 1/4 inch. I put 1/4 cup molasses on the tripled quantity.
Thanks again!
Hello Averie, the buttery pecan recipes are divine. My only regret is that I didn’t triple the batch. They are PERFECT.
I was wondering if I can use the same recipe minus the pecans for a chewy gingerbread man? will it work?
Thanks for the delicious recipe. Perfect for the Hoildays… and every day :)
Love the flavor. Perfect cookie. But, I did have bake them longer than written. And then I over baked the second baking sheet…all this to say, watch the cooking time.
All ovens, baking sheets, climates, and ingredients vary and with cookies 1-2 minutes can make a difference so yes you do have to find that sweet spot in your own oven. Glad you loved the cookies!
Buttery with pumpkin pie spice – delicious! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning, Tracy!
These cookies look dangerously delicious, girl! :) I wouldn’t have been able to stop nibbling on them either! Yum!
I love buttery pecans, perfect fall cookie!
Oh wow, my husband, mom and grandma and I all love pecans so I made these this weekend for all of us. Holy cow, they were amazing! I couldn’t stop eating the dough, it was SO good. And those cookies once they were baking, oh wow delicious. I will be making these again very soon, thanks!
Thanks for trying the cookies and so glad you and your whole family are big pecan fans and that these were a hit with everyone!
What a great combination with pumpkin, these cookies look and sound delicious!!! Going to be on my fall sweet tooth menu most definitely.
Cookie dough this delicious is dangerous. But I guess you know that better than anyone (lucky you). GREG
I hoarded these. Ok, I hoarded the dough :)
Ooh, the dough does sound amazing to snack on… Love how you used pumpkin pie spice in the cookie instead of pumpkin puree! And I’m sure the small additions of cream and cornstarch really make for an excellent cookie:)
They really do make a difference and yes to not having to use actual puree since that always changes the texture of things!
Ohhh I just love this! Pecans and pumpkins go so well together! I bet the house smelled amazing while these were baking! yay for fall!
Totally amazing scent, yes!
Oh these sound DELISH!! A must try, I’m saving this recipe! :)
I love all of the flavors here. Do you deliver?
LOL and I wish! I have so.much.food. that I donate to anyone and everyone who wants it!
I’m having such a pecan moment right now! I want to put them in everything. These sound perfect!
Thanks, Laura! :)
Yum I love a good cookie with lots of nuts in it! And it’s always nice when the baked dough tastes as good as the raw, because raw cookie dough is just amazing.
I often pair pumpkin and pecans together. These are unique because they’re just pumpkin spice. Love it! I always leave the pecans in big pieces too.
I love the big chunks! So much more satisfying than broken up little bits & pieces I think!
Dude you’re killing me!! I’m making black and whites this weekend, but since the temp this morning is 47…I’m thinking these and fall! Thanks for sharing…my family loves all your cookies!!!
These cookies SOUND AMAZING! Gorgeous photos!
Thanks for the compliments! :)
These look amazing, what a fantastic combo of flavors!
Ahhh, clever use of pumpkin pie spice, I knew they didn’t have that tell-tell orange color of pumpkin. Fisher pecans are the only pecans I buy, always great quality! Don’t you love cookie dough more than when they’re baked? I sure do! Thanks for another great recipe, Averie!
I’m loving everything about these cookies Averie! I think about half of the dough would have made it into the oven if I was making these :) Pecans are my favorite! Pinned!
If you’re a pecan lover, I highly recommend these! Even if just for the dough :)
These are such perfect fall cookies! Love it!
Such a perfect fall recipe. Pinning :)
Sydney Sun
For the Love of Baking
http://www.forloveofbaking.com
Yum! These cookies look delicious! I heart pecans!!
i don’t have cornstarch on hand. what can i substitute it for? also, can i use almond milk in place of cream?
thanks
I haven’t tried with almond milk but it will probably be okay, just not as creamy. And you can omit the cornstarch.
Now, when you start altering a recipe like this, your results will not taste exactly like the amazing tasting cookies I posted about. They could be great cookies, but they won’t be the ones I made. Just putting that little disclaimer out there!
i understand, but i don’t want to buy cornstarch or cream if i’m only using 2tsp/tbs
It’s like 1.99 for a jar that will last for a long, long time. I use it in at least 80% of my cookie recipes. Either way though, enjoy the cookies!
Pumpkins and pecans, how could you go wrong? I’m totally making these to send to my son who’s away at college. Thanks for the great recipe!
Lucky kiddo :)
I saw these on Pinterest and new it’s your creation! What a perfect cookie! I can see these becoming a favorite! Love love that they are filled with pecans! Pinned of course!
I love it when people say they can recognize my stuff. That’s a nice feeling & thanks for pinning, Anna!
I would have eaten all the dough too. I would have also eaten all the baked cookies. This is fabulous!! Pinned all over town. :)
Thanks for the pin-fest :) The dough was…incredible!!! I snacked on frozen dough a few times last week after the cookies were gone.
I wish my kiddos liked nuts, these look amazing
Thanks, Heather, and 99% of my other cookie recipes don’t have nuts…so you’re safe :) You can make them and skip the nuts or these are great too https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/09/soft-and-puffy-pumpkin-spice-honey-cookies.html
These look amazing! Love the combo of pecans and pumpkin spice. I am in fall mode, and these are going on my baking list! Pinned.
Thanks for pinning and if you do make them, LMK!
These look amazing! I can only imagine how good your kitchen must have smelled while baking these.
Thank you for another delicious-looking cookie recipe. I’m sending it to my TX aunt who lives where pecans can be picked up in your yard.
No way!! Wow, that’s pretty cool! There are times in San Diego where lemons just fall off lemon trees on my runs but I’ve never tripped on any pecans :)
PUMPKIN time has arrived!
You know my thoughts on pecans, so I’ll not even mention it. That contest needs to include peanuts!
The first link in the “related” section….soft and pillowing pumpkin spice cookies? YUM. You have too many recipes!
That first link, yes, those were super good! These are very similar, but with pecans. Slightly different dough base but overall, similar in taste. And you can always make these and omit the pecans. The dough base of these, with the pumpkin spice, sooo good!
I didn’t know you’re working with Fisher nuts too! And of course I’m chuckling, because my recipe next week is a Pumpkin Bar with Butter Pecan frosting :) These cookies are lovely, I think I’ll take some off your hands!!
Oh I cannot wait to see your recipe! And I didn’t know that about you and Fisher either!
Yep, this will be my second year with them, LOVE Fisher Nuts (and all their peeps!). I find it so funny how many of us get on that same wavelength :) Yay butter pecan :)
I am so nuts about nuts, especially pecans in the fall. I can almost taste how soft and chewy these are just by looking at the pictures. Beautiful Averie!
Thanks, Erin! :)
These look delicious Averie! I love how your cookies always looks so thick and soft ;-) your pictures speak a million words! pinned!
your pictures speak a million words! <--- well that's my goal so thanks for saying it's working out :) And thanks for pinning!
Love the flavor of these cookies, Averie! Pumpkin and pecans sound like the perfect combination! Can’t wait to try these out!
From the looks of them, those cookies could win ANY contest! I’ve never had a cookie recipe that calls for cream in the dough, that is interesting!
Nor had I until a couple years ago when I first made the cookies that inspired these. The small addition of cream just makes the dough so rich, creamy, and buttery!
Averie, what perfect cookies!! I love all these tasty flavors of fall without the use of pumpkin to mess with the cookies’ texture. And all of those pecans. My favorite little addition. I have to try these cookies!
without the use of pumpkin to mess with the cookies’ texture <--- tell me about it. After writing my pumpkin cookbook, it only took me 1 or 20 times to get decent-textured cookies that incorporate actual pumpkin puree. Once you add it, it can turn into a cake-fest. Not exactly how you and I like our cookies. So this was the safe route :) And I know you love nuts in baked goods so I bet you'd dig these!
Love all these flavors together and pecans are probably my favorite nut for cookies. These are great for fall and those big pecan chunks look so good. I’m also excited to see what other recipes you’ve come up with using nuts!
If you need a fall cookie recipe, I loved these Paula. One of my favorites in a long time!
OH YUM…my husband loves cookies with nuts and pecans are his favorite so I will have to make these very soon. I love the taste of pecan sandies but they always seem so dry…these look like they have all that pecan flavor while being incredibly soft and moist…genius….
There’s so much pecan flavor, yes! And not at all dry like sandies (ick!). Love their flavor, despise their texture and these are nothing like sandies!
It’s so creative to use pumpkin spice to give it that flavor without throwing off the dough’s consistency with pumpkin!
I’m excited to make the candy corn cookies again, too. It’s been a year, but it’s getting to be that time!
Enjoy the candy corn cookies again and yes, time flies!
use pumpkin spice to give it that flavor without throwing off the dough’s consistency with pumpkin! <--- Amen because that happens easily!
Oh, these cookies look divine, Averie! The pecans with the soft spiced cookies sound so delicious, completely pinned! :D
Thanks for pinning!