Butter Pecan Cookies: A Classic Cookie with Deep Southern Roots

Butter Pecan Cookies are the kind of dessert that feels instantly familiar, even the very first time you bake them. Rich, buttery dough. Toasted pecans. A soft, chewy center balanced by lightly crisp edges. These cookies don’t scream for attention — they earn it, one bite at a time.

Unlike trendy cookies overloaded with mix-ins, butter pecan cookies rely on technique and quality ingredients. The magic lies in browning the butter just enough to unlock nutty, caramelized notes, then pairing it with toasted pecans that amplify every warm, buttery flavor. It’s a cookie that feels nostalgic yet elevated, perfect for holidays, weekend baking, or anytime you want a dessert that tastes like comfort.

This recipe is designed to give you bakery-quality butter pecan cookies at home, with clear steps, pro tips, and variations so you can make them exactly the way you love.

Why Butter Pecan Cookies Never Go Out of Style

Butter pecan is deeply rooted in American dessert culture, especially in Southern baking traditions. While butter pecan ice cream often gets the spotlight, cookies made with the same flavor profile deserve equal attention. The combination of butter and pecans dates back generations, when simple pantry ingredients were transformed into rich desserts through careful technique rather than excess sugar.

Butter pecan cookies stand out because they are:

• Naturally rich without being overly sweet
• Texturally satisfying (soft centers + crunchy nuts)
• Elegant enough for holidays, but simple enough for everyday baking

These cookies age beautifully too — the flavor deepens after a day, making them excellent for gifting or make-ahead dessert trays.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped and toasted

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until it foams and develops golden brown flecks with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, whisk the browned butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
5. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
6. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients just until no streaks of flour remain.
7. Stir in the toasted pecans evenly throughout the dough.
8. Scoop dough into 1½-tablespoon portions and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 11–13 minutes, until edges are set and centers remain soft.
10. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips for Perfect Butter Pecan Cookies

• Brown the butter carefully: Too dark and it turns bitter. Golden with brown flecks is ideal.
• Toast your pecans: This step is non-negotiable for maximum flavor.
• Don’t overbake: The cookies will continue setting as they cool.
• Rest the dough: Even 30 minutes of chilling enhances texture and flavor.

Delicious Variations

• Maple Butter Pecan Cookies: Replace ¼ cup sugar with pure maple syrup.
• Chocolate Chip Butter Pecan: Add ½ cup dark chocolate chips.
• Salted Butter Pecan Cookies: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies:

• With coffee or espresso
• Alongside vanilla or butter pecan ice cream
• As part of a holiday cookie platter
• Wrapped in parchment for edible gifts

They pair especially well with warm drinks, making them ideal for fall and winter baking.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months.
• Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.

Fun Fact

Butter pecan desserts gained popularity in the early 1900s when pecans became more widely cultivated in the southern United States, quickly becoming a baking staple.

Butter Pecan Cookies

Rich, chewy butter pecan cookies made with browned butter and toasted pecans for deep, nutty flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 210

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough

• 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter browned and cooled
• 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg large
• 1 egg yolk
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans toasted and chopped

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Brown the butter until golden and nutty, then cool slightly.
4. Mix butter with sugars until smooth. Add egg, yolk, and vanilla.
5. Fold in dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Stir in toasted pecans evenly.
7. Scoop dough and place on baking sheets.
8. Bake 11–13 minutes until edges are set. Cool completely.

Notes

For best flavor, chill dough for 30 minutes before baking.