Brown Sugar and Pecan Cookies
These brown sugar and pecan cookies are soft, chewy, a little crunchy, and loaded with pecans. They are sure to become one of your favorite pecan cookie recipes!
But, just because it’s January, that doesn’t mean we have to stop baking completely does it? I mean, I know we are all on the meal-prepping-healthy-eating train this month, but everything in moderation right? #cookieloverproblems
These brown sugar and pecan cookies are at the very top of that list because, number one – I LOVE pecans and number two – I have a couple of half-used bags of pecans leftover from the holidays (yes, I said a couple – as in more than one – not sure how that happened *eyeroll*).
With a few simple tweaks, I took a plane-Jane cookie dough recipe into anytime-pecan-cookie-perfection just by adding some extra brown sugar and of course, tons of chopped pecans (from both bags, haha)!
You can make these brown sugar and pecan cookies in one large bowl and with no mixer required, making it the perfect recipe to make any old January afternoon! You’re welcome cookie lovers!
Important things to remember when baking these brown sugar and pecan cookies:
- You’ll want to chop the pecans finely before adding them to the cookie dough.
- Rotating the cookies halfway through baking will ensure even baking.
- If the cookies turn brown on the bottom, they’re over-baked.
- Allow cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Once fully cooled, these cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months if needed.
Brown sugar and pecan cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp water
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups flour
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 30 pecan halves (for the tops of each cookie)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugars together until smooth.
- Add sea salt, baking soda, and water and stir.
- Add egg and mix to combine.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Add flour, half at a time, and stir until just combined.
- Fold in finely chopped pecans and stir until evenly dispersed.
- Using a 1 TBS cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto lined baking sheets 2 inches apart.
- Gently press a pecan half into the top of each cookie. Do not over-flatten.
- Bake cookies for 12 minutes, rotating halfway through.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, prior to transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze.
Nutrition
Don’t miss these super yummy monster cookies or these chocolate chip coconut cookies, they’re two of my favorites!
About Kristine
Kristine is a self-taught cookie baker and photographer. She's passionate about finding time for everything and making baking, crafting and homemaking simple. More...
These look absolutely heavenly, I can see me snacking on waaaaaaay too many! ?
Thanks so much Chris! I can vouch for how delicious they are and they are definitely impossible to resist, even in January!
The baking season lasts all year for me, so I’m more than tempted by these cookies right now. Thanks for the great tips too.
Same! Me too Lucy, baking alllllllllllll of the year! You’re so welcome, thanks for stopping by!
Love pecan cookies and yours sound amazing! Can’t wait to make these.
Me too, Andrea, me too! I’m all about a nut cookie – LOL! Let me know how you like them!
I need a batch of these cookies in my life. They look so decadent and delicious. My husband would love me to make some of these.
Thank you so much Jennifer! They are super soft and chewy, and incredibly hard to refuse! ☺️
These brown sugar pecan cookies taste divine. Brown sugar makes cookies ?
Thank you so much Chichi! I agree, brown sugar in cookies is the. best. thing. ever. These are so chewy and soft, I could literally eat every single one!
Is this recipe using all purpose or self rising flour?