Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Dessert
30 min

Thick and chewy Butter Pecan Cookies... made with brown butter! YUM.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cuppecan halves, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoonsunsalted butter
  • 2 ½ cupsall-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoonscornstarch
  • ¾ teaspoonsalt
  • ½ teaspoonground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoonbaking soda
  • 2 sticksunsalted butter, melted until browned
  • 1 cupdark brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cupgranulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoonvanilla extract
  • 2 largeeggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 16pecan halves, for decoration, optional

Directions

For the buttered pecans:

  1. 1

    Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in chopped pecans and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside until needed.

For the butter pecan cookies:

  1. 1

    In a large bowl combine flour, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda; whisk well to combine then set aside until needed.

  2. 2

    In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook the butter. swirling the pan occasionally. Keep a close eye here. The top of the butter should become foamy. And you should hear tiny popping noises. The butter will develop into a rich amber color, with tiny brown bits at the bottom. And it will have a slightly nutty aroma. Once the butter reaches this stage, remove from heat immediately and pour into a large mixing bowl.

  3. 3

    Add both sugars into the mixing bowl and whisk well to combine.

  4. 4

    Add in vanilla. Beat in eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, beating until eggs are just combined.

  5. 5

    Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour, stirring until just combined. Fold in the buttered pecans.

  6. 6

    Cover bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours.

To bake:

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Using a large cookie scoop, divide the dough into 3-tablespoon sized balls and place onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between each ball of dough for spreading.

  3. 3

    Firmly press a pecan half on top of each ball of cookie dough.

  4. 4

    Bake, one tray at a time, in a preheated oven for 10 to 11 minutes. If any edges spread out while baking, use a spatula and gently press them back in as soon as you remove the cookies from the oven.

  5. 5

    Sprinkle warm cookies with granulated sugar.

  6. 6

    Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack.