Description
Pecan pie cookies bring Southern comfort to classic dessert lovers, merging traditional pie flavors with delightful cookie form. Crisp edges, gooey centers, and caramelized pecans create an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies Base:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Pecan Filling:
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Topping:
- 1/4 cup additional chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for cookie preparation.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to ensure a uniform consistency.
- Gradually fold in the flour, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Shape the dough into small, uniform balls and gently press them onto the prepared baking sheet, creating a slight indentation in the center of each cookie.
- For the pecan filling, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla extract, and salt in a saucepan, heating over medium heat while stirring constantly.
- Simmer the filling mixture until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy, approximately 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Fold the chopped pecans into the warm filling, ensuring even distribution of nuts throughout the mixture.
- Carefully spoon the pecan filling into the center of each cookie base, allowing it to slightly overflow the indentation.
- Sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top of each cookie for added texture and visual appeal.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden brown and the filling sets.
- Optional: Drizzle honey over the warm cookies for an extra layer of sweetness after removing from the oven.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to prevent breaking.
Notes
- Customize the cookie size by adjusting the dough ball dimensions, ensuring consistent baking and even pecan filling distribution.
- Prevent overly sweet results by reducing corn syrup quantity and balancing with a touch of salt or using dark brown sugar for deeper flavor complexity.
- Create gluten-free variations by substituting regular flour with almond or oat flour, maintaining the cookie’s delicate texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Enhance storage life by keeping cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to preserve their crisp edges and prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg