Irresistible Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Your Guide to the Best Homemade Recipe
Prepare to elevate your cookie game with these incredible Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies! This recipe takes a beloved classic and infuses it with an unforgettable twist: the rich, buttery flavor of toasted brown sugar pecans. It’s a harmonious blend of familiar comfort and sophisticated indulgence, resulting in a cookie that’s chewy, sweet, and bursting with flavor in every single bite. If you’re a fan of the nutty, caramel notes of butter pecan, get ready to meet your new favorite cookie.
For more delicious baking inspiration, make sure to explore our updated collection of the BEST HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPES here! You’ll find everything from classic comfort to exciting new variations.
If the mere thought of butter pecan ice cream makes your mouth water, then these Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are an absolute must-try! I usually resist the temptation to sample cookie dough, but as I was preparing this batch, the aroma alone was utterly captivating. The scent of browning butter, toasted pecans, and sweet chocolate filled my kitchen, making it impossible to resist sneaking a few blissful bites of the dough. And let me tell you, the heavenly fragrance only intensified as the cookies baked. My family could barely contain their excitement, eagerly waiting for them to cool down just enough to devour! These cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re an experience, from the moment you start mixing until the very last crumb is gone.
Essential Baking Tips for the PERFECT Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is easier than you think, especially with a few key tools and techniques. These three kitchen items are staples in my baking routine and will help you create these delightful butter pecan chocolate chip cookies with incredible speed and precision. They’re truly versatile investments for any home baker.
First and foremost, I always line my cookie sheets with a sheet of parchment paper. This simple trick is a game-changer! Pre-cut parchment sheets are available in sizes that fit standard 12×16 cookie sheets perfectly, eliminating the need to tear and trim. Parchment paper ensures your cookies bake evenly, prevents sticking, and makes cleanup an absolute breeze – no more scrubbing sticky residue or dealing with messy oil sprays. It creates a non-stick surface that allows for easy transfer of your freshly baked cookies and promotes uniform browning for that perfect golden edge.
The second item I swear by is my KitchenAid mixer. While I own other stand mixers, I consistently reach for my KitchenAid when baking cookies. Its reliable power and consistent mixing capabilities are ideal for creaming butter and sugar, ensuring a smooth, aerated dough foundation. Every KitchenAid mixer typically comes with a cookie paddle attachment, which is perfect for incorporating ingredients without overmixing. For recipes like this one, where a fluffy frosting might be desired (though not included in the main recipe, the original text mentions it, suggesting versatility), the metal whisk attachment whips up mixtures super fast. If you’re serious about baking, a quality stand mixer like the KitchenAid should definitely be on your wish list; it’s one of the most used small appliances in my kitchen!
My third essential baking gadget is a cookie scoop! For years, I struggled with two spoons, trying to measure and scrape cookie dough onto baking pans, often resulting in misshapen, inconsistent cookies that baked unevenly. Then, a friend brought a batch of perfectly uniform cookies to a party, and her secret was this simple tool! Cookie scoops come in various sizes, typically 1/2 tablespoon, 1.5 tablespoon, and 3 tablespoon. For these Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies, and most of my standard cookie recipes, I use the versatile middle size – the 1.5 tablespoon scoop. This ensures every cookie is the same size, promoting even baking and a beautiful, professional appearance. When serving a large crowd or offering multiple desserts, I sometimes opt for the smaller scoop; people often appreciate a bite-sized treat. For the best results with this particular recipe, stick with the middle-sized scoop to achieve those ideal chewy, delicious cookies.
Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful cookies. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor profile. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
– Butter: You’ll need a full cup of softened butter, which typically equates to two standard sticks. Softened butter is essential for proper creaming with sugars, creating an airy base for your cookie dough. A portion of this butter will also be browned and mixed with pecans for that signature butter pecan flavor.
– Pecans: One cup of chopped pecans is required for this recipe. You can purchase them pre-chopped for convenience or buy whole pecans and chop them yourself. Chopping ensures they distribute evenly throughout the dough and provide a pleasant crunch in every bite. Toasted pecans are key to enhancing their nutty depth.
– Brown Sugar: This recipe calls for a total of 1 cup of brown sugar, specifically 1/4 cup plus 2/3 cup, divided for different steps. Brown sugar contributes to the cookies’ chewiness and adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the pecans perfectly. Using it in the pecan mixture creates a rich, caramelized coating.
– Granulated Sugar: You’ll also need 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. This works in conjunction with the brown sugar to ensure the cookies are perfectly sweet and contribute to their crisp edges while maintaining a soft interior.
– Eggs: Two large eggs are essential for binding the ingredients, adding moisture, and contributing to the overall texture of these amazing cookies. They help create a tender, chewy crumb.
– Vanilla Extract: Adding 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract will significantly enhance all the wonderful flavors in the dough, providing a warm, aromatic note that elevates the entire cookie experience.
– All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of these cookies, you’ll use 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour to create the perfect base for your dough, ensuring they hold their shape while baking.
– Leavening Agents: To help these cookies achieve a wonderfully fluffy and chewy texture, you’ll need 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Baking powder provides lift and tenderness, while baking soda reacts with the brown sugar to promote spread and a slight chewiness.
– Salt: A crucial flavor enhancer, 1 teaspoon of salt in the dough balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty, buttery notes, ensuring the cookies taste perfectly seasoned and incredibly delicious.
– Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: To guarantee that every single cookie is generously packed with delicious pockets of chocolate, use 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Their classic flavor pairs wonderfully with the butter pecan base.
How to Make Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crafting these delectable Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. The key steps ensure you get that deep, toasty pecan flavor married perfectly with classic chocolate chip goodness. Follow these instructions carefully, and you’ll have a batch of warm, fragrant cookies ready to enjoy in no time.
You’ll start by infusing your pecans with rich butter pecan flavor. In a frying pan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes, until it’s sizzling and just beginning to brown, releasing a nutty aroma. Next, stir in your chopped pecans and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let this mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the rest of your cookie dough. This step is crucial for developing that signature toasted pecan and brown butter taste.
Next, it’s time to build your cookie dough base. In a large mixing bowl (ideally using your KitchenAid stand mixer with the paddle attachment), combine the remaining 1/2 cup of softened butter with the granulated sugar and the remaining 2/3 cup of brown sugar. Beat these together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, which usually takes a few minutes. Then, incorporate the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined after each addition. In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture in three portions, mixing on low speed between each addition until the flour is just incorporated and no streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
Now, gently fold in your delicious buttery pecan mixture from the frying pan into the cookie dough. Mix until it’s evenly distributed. You’ll notice that at this stage, the dough will be quite soft, almost resembling muffin batter in consistency. This is perfectly normal. To help it firm up for easier scooping and better baking, cover the bowl and place the entire dough mixture into the freezer for 15 minutes. While the dough chills, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Once chilled, remove the dough from the freezer, attach the bowl back to your mixer, and gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough. Using your 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and place it onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie for spreading.
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for an additional 2-3 minutes; this allows them to set up and prevents them from falling apart when transferred. Finally, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures air circulation, preventing soggy bottoms and maintaining that perfect texture. And now, the best part – enjoy your freshly baked, warm, and wonderfully fragrant Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter 2 sticks
- 1 cup Pecans chopped
- 1 cup Brown sugar divided
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 2 ¼ cup Flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate chips
Instructions
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Add 1/2 cup (1 cube) of butter to a frying pan on medium heat. Let cook until butter is sizzling, about 5 minutes. Add chopped pecans and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Decrease heat to medium-low and let cook (stirring occasionally) while you assemble the rest of the cookie dough.
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In a mixing bowl combine the remaining 1/2 cup of softened butter and the granulated sugar and remaining 2/3 cup brown sugar until creamy. Add in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine all of the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips. Add dry ingredients to mixing bowl in 3 parts, mixing as you go until it’s all added.
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Take the buttery-pecan mixture in the frying pan and pour it into the mixing bowl. Mix to combine. Dough will be very soft and more the consistency of muffin batter, rather than cookie dough. Put the entire mixing bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm it back up.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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After dough has chilled, attach bowl back to the mixer and add in chocolate chips. Scoop dough out in 1.5 TBSP portions onto a cookie sheet lined in parchment paper.
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Bake cookies for 10 minutes, allowing them to sit an extra 2-3 minutes on the tray once they come out of the oven. Transfer to a cooling rack.
Nutrition
How Long Do Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Stay Fresh?
These delightful butter pecan chocolate chip cookies maintain their optimal freshness and flavor for about 3 days when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. While they can last up to a week, the first few days are when their texture is best – perfectly chewy with crisp edges. To keep them at their peak, ensure they are completely cooled before placing them in the container to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy. A slice of bread added to the container can also help absorb excess moisture and keep them soft for longer.
Can I Freeze Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Absolutely! These butter pecan chocolate chip cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, making them perfect for future enjoyment or unexpected guests. You can freeze both baked cookies and raw cookie dough. For baked cookies, ensure they are completely cooled, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour. Once firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours. For freezing raw dough, scoop portions onto a parchment-lined tray, flash freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Can’t Get Enough Chocolate? Explore More Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes!
If you’re a true chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, we understand that the love for these classic treats knows no bounds. Once you’ve indulged in the rich flavors of our Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies, you might find yourself craving more delicious variations. Dive into our extensive collection of chocolate chip cookie recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved dessert. There’s always a new favorite waiting to be discovered!
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Living in a land-locked state, my family doesn’t get to experience the ocean’s majesty very often. This past summer, we embarked on an incredible trip down to Southern California, and it was truly unforgettable! Above is a lovely shot of all five of my children joyfully playing in the waves. I would love to tell you it was a relaxing experience, but let’s be honest, taking five energetic kids anywhere rarely qualifies as ‘relaxing’! My youngest quickly learned the incredible power of the ocean waves, and after a couple of hours, we were all thoroughly covered in sand and ready for a break. Haha! Perhaps when they’re a little older, they’ll appreciate the sandy adventures and crashing waves even more, but for now, these memories are priceless.
