Description
These Pecan Pie Cookies capture the rich, nutty, and gooey flavors of traditional pecan pie in a delightful, handheld cookie. Featuring a buttery shortbread-style base and a sweet, caramelized pecan topping, they’re a perfect, easy-to-serve dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the cookie base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the pecan filling:
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too soft, chill it for 20 minutes.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Press a small well into the center of each dough ball using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt. Stir until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly (about 2-3 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans.
- Spoon a small amount of the pecan filling into the center of each cookie’s well.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the filling.
- If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough helps prevent spreading.
- A tablespoon-sized cookie scoop ensures even baking.
- Do not overfill the wells; about a teaspoon of filling per cookie is ideal.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easier cleanup.
- These cookies can be drizzled with melted chocolate or caramel for an extra touch.
- For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend with xanthan gum.
- Consider adding mini chocolate chips or maple extract to the filling for variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg