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- 1 cup unsalted butter - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup pecans, chopped - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) - 1 cup chocolate chips (optional) When making brown butter pecan cookies, the right ingredients matter a lot. Each item adds flavor and texture. Unsalted Butter: This is key for rich, nutty flavor. Brown it slowly to get that perfect taste. Brown Sugar: It brings moisture and a deep caramel flavor. The more packed it is, the better. Granulated Sugar: This helps with sweetness and gives a slight crunch. Eggs: They bind everything together and add some fluffiness. Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and a nice scent. Use pure for best flavor. All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cookies. It gives them structure. Baking Soda: This helps the cookies rise a little. It keeps them soft. Salt: A pinch is needed to balance the sweetness. Chopped Pecans: They give a lovely crunch and nutty taste. Toast them for extra flavor. Cinnamon (Optional): A little spice can make a big difference. Use it if you like warmth. Chocolate Chips (Optional): They add sweetness and richness. Use dark or milk chocolate, your choice. Having these ingredients ready will set you up for success. Each one plays a role in making these cookies rich and flavorful. {{ingredient_image_1}} Melting the Butter Start by cutting 1 cup of unsalted butter into pieces. Place it in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir it often as it melts. Achieving the Perfect Golden Brown Color Keep cooking the butter until it turns golden brown. You will notice a nutty smell, which is great! This takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it reaches this color, take it off the heat and let it cool a bit. Mixing the Sugars with Brown Butter In a large bowl, mix the brown butter with 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Use a whisk or a mixer until the mixture is creamy and well combined. Adding Eggs and Vanilla Add 2 large eggs to the mix, one at a time. Stir well after each egg. Then, add in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Make sure everything is mixed in nicely. Whisking Together Flour, Baking Soda, and Salt In another bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. If you like, add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon for extra flavor. Combining Wet and Dry Mixtures Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir it gently until it just comes together. Don't overmix; it should be a bit lumpy. Incorporating Pecans and Chocolate Fold in 1 cup of chopped pecans and 1 cup of chocolate chips if you want. Make sure they are evenly mixed into the dough. Chilling the Dough Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Put the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This step helps the flavors blend and makes the cookies chewier. Preheating the Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep cookies from sticking. Scooping and Spacing Dough on Baking Sheet Use a spoon to scoop tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each scoop. Baking Time and Indicators Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for golden edges and soft centers to know they are done. Cooling on Baking Sheet After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This helps them set up a bit more. Transferring to Wire Rack Carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Now, they are ready to enjoy! - Importance of Brown Butter Brown butter is key for rich flavor. It adds a nutty taste that makes cookies special. To make brown butter, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Keep stirring until it turns golden brown. This should take about 5-7 minutes. - Chilling Dough for Better Flavor Chilling the dough is crucial. It makes the flavors blend well. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies stay soft and chewy. - Checking for Doneness Look for golden edges and soft centers. The cookies should not be too brown. Remove them from the oven when they are slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool. - Avoiding Overmixing Mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Stir in the flour carefully to keep the texture light and airy. - Presentation Tips for Visual Appeal Serve cookies on a rustic platter. Dust them with powdered sugar for a nice touch. Warm cookies look and taste great. - Pairing with Beverages Pair these cookies with a glass of milk. You can also enjoy them with a scoop of ice cream. This makes for a delicious treat! Pro Tips Brown Butter Timing: Ensure you keep an eye on the butter as it cooks; it can go from perfectly browned to burnt quickly. Remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches a golden color and smells nutty. Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough not only enhances the flavor but also helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking. For a richer taste, consider chilling overnight. Pecan Toasting: For an extra depth of flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before adding them to the dough. This enhances their nuttiness. Cookie Size Consistency: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookie sizes, ensuring even baking and consistent texture. This will help all cookies bake at the same rate. {{image_2}} - Walnuts: If you want a different crunch, try walnuts. They add a lovely flavor. Walnuts are also softer than pecans, which can change the cookie's texture. - Pecans with a Twist: You can mix pecans with other nuts like almonds. This gives your cookies a new taste and texture. - Adding Additional Spices: You can add more spices like nutmeg or allspice. These spices bring warmth and depth to your cookies. Just a pinch can change the whole flavor. - Infusing with Zest: Try adding lemon or orange zest. The zest gives a bright, fresh taste. It pairs nicely with the nutty flavor of the pecans. - Gluten-Free Flour Options: You can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Brands like almond flour or oat flour work well. They keep the texture nice and chewy. - Vegan Substitutions: To make these cookies vegan, substitute eggs with flax seeds or applesauce. Use vegan butter instead of regular butter. This way, everyone can enjoy these treats! To keep your brown butter pecan cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps to lock in moisture and flavor. You can also use a cookie jar, but it may not keep them as fresh. If you use a jar, place a slice of bread inside. The bread will absorb excess air and keep your cookies soft. Freezing cookie dough is a great way to save some for later. To freeze, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour, then transfer the balls to a freezer bag. Make sure to label the bag with the date. To bake, thaw the dough in the fridge overnight. Preheat your oven and bake directly from the fridge without letting it warm up. At room temperature, your cookies will stay fresh for about a week. Store them in an airtight container to keep them tasty. If you choose to refrigerate them, they can last up to two weeks. Just remember to let them sit out for a few minutes before enjoying. This makes them soft and warm again. The secret to chewy cookies lies in the butter and sugars. Use brown sugar for moisture. Brown butter adds a rich flavor that enhances chewiness. Also, don't overmix the dough. This keeps the cookies softer. Yes, you can use salted butter. Just reduce the added salt by half. This helps balance the flavors. Salted butter can add a nice depth to your cookies. Check the edges of the cookies. They should be golden brown, while the center looks soft. If they puff up and start to crack, they are ready. Remove them from the oven promptly. Absolutely! Feel free to add mix-ins like dried fruit or different nuts. Chocolate chips are great too. Just keep the total mix-ins to about 1 to 1.5 cups. Chilling the dough firms it up and helps the flavors meld. It also prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking. This step ensures a perfect texture and rich taste. In this post, I covered the key steps to make delicious cookies. We discussed the essential ingredients, and how to prepare brown butter for the best flavor. I shared tips for perfect texture and ways to store your cookies. Finally, I highlighted variations to make your cookies unique. For tasty, chewy cookies, remember to chill your dough and watch for that golden brown color. With these tips, enjoy baking and sharing your treats!

Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

Delicious cookies made with brown butter and chopped pecans, perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 2/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Brown Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking, whisking frequently until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • Mix the Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined and creamy.
  • Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  • Incorporate Pecans and Chocolate (if using): Gently fold in the chopped pecans and chocolate chips to the dough, ensuring an even distribution.
  • Chill the Dough: Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This helps to enhance the flavors and improves the cookie texture.
  • Preheat and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Form Cookies: Scoop tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are slightly soft.
  • Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Serve these cookies warm on a rustic platter, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Pair with a glass of milk or a scoop of your favorite ice cream for an indulgent dessert!
Keyword brown butter, cookies, dessert, pecans