Description
Delight in these Pecan Pie Cookies, a perfect blend of buttery cookie dough enriched with chopped pecans and soft caramel bits. These cookies capture the essence of a classic pecan pie in a handheld treat, featuring a tender, slightly chewy texture with a sweet, nutty flavor ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Fillings and Mix-ins
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
- ½ cup caramel bits or soft caramel squares, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Mixture: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping cookies tender.
- Fold in Pecans and Caramel Bits: Carefully fold the chopped pecans and caramel bits into the dough, ensuring an even distribution throughout.
- Scoop Dough Onto Baking Sheet: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool on Baking Sheet: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage.
Notes
- For extra gooeyness, press an additional caramel piece into the center of each cookie after baking while still warm.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- Ensure butter is softened (not melted) for proper creaming and texture.
- Chopping caramel squares into smaller bits helps them distribute more evenly in the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
