why make this recipe
Browned Butter Pecan Cookies are a delightful treat that brings warmth and comfort. They are perfect for various occasions, from family gatherings to cozy nights at home. The unique flavor of browned butter adds depth, creating a nutty aroma that will fill your kitchen as they bake. Plus, with the crunchy pecans and the hint of spices, each bite is simply irresistible. This recipe is easy to follow, making it suitable for bakers of all levels.
Whether you are baking for the holidays, special events, or just craving something sweet, these cookies are sure to please everyone. The combination of soft, chewy centers and slightly crispy edges makes them a favorite. You can enjoy them fresh from the oven or store them for later, keeping that homemade goodness close at hand.
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Browned Butter Pecan Cookies
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful cookies filled with the rich flavor of browned butter and crunchy pecans, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups pecans (roughly chopped)
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (for browning, melted)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Butter Pecans: Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add chopped pecans and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, cooking for 3-4 minutes until toasty. Transfer nuts to a bowl to cool.
- Brown the Butter: In the same saucepan, melt 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Increase heat to medium, cooking until the butter foams and turns brown, about 2-3 minutes. Pour into a bowl and cool.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, cornstarch, nutmeg, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: Add brown and white sugars to cooled butter, whisk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisk until incorporated.
- Form the Cookie Dough: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until no dry spots remain, being careful not to overmix. Fold in cooled pecans.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes or up to 2 days. Let sit at room temperature before scooping if chilled longer than 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Bake the Cookies: Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough, roll into a ball, and place on baking sheets 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-13 minutes until edges are golden; centers may be soft but will firm as they cool.
Notes
For extra flavor, mix in toffee bits or fudge bits. Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
how to make Browned Butter Pecan Cookies
Creating the perfect Browned Butter Pecan Cookies involves a few key steps. Let’s break it down to make it as simple as possible. Follow the directions closely for the best results.
Ingredients
To make Browned Butter Pecan Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups pecans (roughly chopped)
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter (for browning, melted)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Butter Pecans
Start off by making the butter pecans. In a skillet or small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, add your roughly chopped pecans and ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on them; once they start to smell toasty, turn the heat off and pour the nuts into a bowl to cool. This step adds a rich flavor to your cookies.
Step 2: Brown the Butter
Using the same saucepan (this saves on dishes!), brown the remaining unsalted butter. Over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, increase the heat to medium and allow the butter to begin foaming. Continue cooking and stirring with a spatula until the butter starts to brown and gives off a nutty smell, which will take about 2-3 minutes. Carefully pour the browned butter into a medium bowl and let it cool completely.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
While the butter is cooling, take a large bowl and whisk together the dry ingredients. Combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, baking soda, cornstarch, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Make sure everything is well mixed for even flavor throughout your cookies.
Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Once your butter has cooled, add the brown sugar and white sugar to the melted butter. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Next, add the two large eggs (make sure they are at room temperature) and vanilla extract. Continue to whisk until everything is fully incorporated.
Step 5: Form the Cookie Dough
Now it’s time to fold in the dry ingredients. Gently mix them into the wet mixture until there are no more dry spots, being careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies. After that, fold in the cooled pecans. For an extra indulgent treat, consider adding optional toffee bits or fudge bits for more texture and flavor.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. You can also chill it for up to 2 days if you wish to prep ahead of time. If you decide to refrigerate it for more than 30 minutes, let the dough come to room temperature before scooping it out. This prevents it from being too hard to manage.
Step 7: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). As the oven heats, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out 2 tablespoons of the chilled dough and roll it into a ball. If you want sparkly cookies, feel free to roll them in a little white sugar. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, giving them plenty of space—about 2 inches apart.
Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look a little soft, but they will continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool.
how to serve Browned Butter Pecan Cookies
Serving your Browned Butter Pecan Cookies can be simple and fun. Consider placing them on a beautiful plate to showcase their golden edges and crunchy pecan pieces. Cookies are great as a snack with coffee, tea, or milk. You can also pack them into gift boxes or bags and give them away to friends and family.
For a fun twist, try serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a delicious dessert. Drizzling a little chocolate or caramel sauce can also enhance their flavor and presentation.
how to store Browned Butter Pecan Cookies
Storing your Browned Butter Pecan Cookies properly will help keep them fresh longer. After the cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to a week. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
If you want to keep them for an even longer period, consider freezing them. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, and they can last for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
tips to make Browned Butter Pecan Cookies
Don’t rush the browning process. Take your time when browning the butter, as this step is crucial for developing flavor.
Use room temperature eggs. This helps the ingredients mix more smoothly and results in better texture for your cookies.
Chill the dough. Chilling helps solidify the butter, leading to thicker cookies that don’t spread too much while baking.
Pay attention to baking time. Since ovens can vary, keep an eye on the cookies. They should be golden around the edges and slightly soft in the center.
Try different nuts. While pecans are delicious, feel free to experiment with walnuts or almonds for a fun variation.
variation (if any)
Chocolate Chip Version: Add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough for a delightful chocolatey twist.
Spiced Cookies: Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon for a warm spiced taste.
Oatmeal Pecan Cookies: Mix in 1 cup of rolled oats for added texture and heartiness in your cookies.
FAQs
1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can, but it is recommended to reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
2. How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges and soft centers. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
3. Can I use a stand mixer to make the dough?
Absolutely! A stand mixer can make mixing the ingredients easier, especially when combining the wet and dry ingredients together.
With this Browned Butter Pecan Cookie recipe, you are sure to enjoy baking and sharing these sweet treats. Happy baking!