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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

    Published: Feb 26, 2024 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Brown butter pecan cookies.

    These Brown Butter Pecan Cookies are a delicious treat that will quickly become one of your favorite cookies. Made with toasted pecans, sweet chocolate chunks, and rich brown butter, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.

    Brown butter pecan chocolate chip cookies on a plate.

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    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🧾 Ingredient List
    • 🍲 Equipment
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Eileen's Tips for Success
    • 📖 Variations
    • ❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • 📋 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🥣 Serving Suggestions
    • 🍽 Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • The mixture of browned butter and toasted pecans creates a perfect buttery flavor that combines so well with the chocolate.
    • The combination of sweet treats and nutty flavors makes these brown butter pecan cookies irresistible.
    • Plus they are great for the holiday season or any time of the year when you feel like baking. 

    🧾 Ingredient List

    Ingredients to make brown butter cookies with text overlay.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • unsalted butter
    • white granulated sugar
    •  light brown sugar
    • salt
    • large eggs
    • pure vanilla extract
    • butter extract
    • all-purpose flour
    • baking soda
    • milk chocolate bar
    • chopped pecans
    • whole pecan

    🍲 Equipment

    • Parchment Paper
    • rimmed baking sheet
    • large ice cream scooper
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    🔪 Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    Step 1: In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the unsalted butter until browned and nutty smelling, stir frequently, about 5 minutes. Once browned, remove from the heat and set aside.

    A glass bowl with sugar and brown butter to make browned butter pecan cookies.

    Step 2: In a large mixing bowl whisk together the white sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Then pour in the browned butter and whisk until combined.

    A glass bowl with brown sugar, white sugar, brown butter, and eggs to make a cookie batter.

    Step 3: To the butter/sugar mixture, whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and butter extract, whisk until smooth.

    A glass bowl of cookie batter with a sifter over the bowl with flour and salt being sifted into the batter.

    Step 4: Sift in the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Whisk until just combined.

    Brown butter pecan cookie batter with chocolate and chopped pecans being blended into the batter.

    Step 5: Add the chopped pecans and chocolate. Gently fold into the cookie dough.

    A glass bowl with brown butter pecan cookie batter in the bowl.

    Step 6: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.

    A baking sheet with uncooked cookie dough to make browned butter pecan chocolate chip cookies.

    Step 7: Preheat the oven to 370°F. Place parchment paper on a large baking tray. Use a 2-inch cookie scooper to create balls of dough and place them on the baking tray.

    Browned butter pecan chocolate chip cookie with a pecan on top of the cookie.

    Step 8: Top each cookie dough ball with a pecan half. Then bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

    Brown butter pecan chocolate chip cookies with chopped pecans on top of the cookie on a baking tray.

    Step 9: Let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes and then serve and enjoy.

    Brown butter pecan cookies with chocolate chips on a plate with pecans all around the plate.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Eileen's Tips for Success

    • I like to bake cookies on a stainless steel large-rimmed cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper. I find that the baking sheet and parchment allow my cookies to bake evenly. 
    • Because oven temperatures can vary, make sure that you keep a close eye on your cookies so that they don't burn, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time or lower the time by a few minutes depending on your oven. 
    • The dough for this butter pecan cookie recipe will spread some as it bakes so be sure to leave enough space between the cookie dough balls. 
    • This cookie dough tastes even better after it has time to chill.  So, don't rush the chill time, you can store the dough in the fridge for up to four days. 
    • I think that warm cookies go so well with a tall glass of milk. So, grab your favorite milk and enjoy this delicious cookie. 

    📖 Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.

    • Instead of pecans, try using almonds, walnuts, or even hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.
    • Take your butter pecan cookies to the next level by adding a scoop of butter pecan ice cream between two cookies and making them into sandwiches.
    •  Add a sprinkle of toffee bits on top of the cookies before baking for an extra crunch and caramel flavor.

    ❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Make ahead - Making this cookie dough ahead is a great plan. It will allow you to have fresh cookies anytime you want them. 

    Storage - These cookies stay fresh for up to five days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

    Freezer tips – This cookie dough can be frozen in a freezer bag and saved for later use. When you're ready to bake, just let the dough thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.  

    Pecan Brown Butter cookies on a white plate.

    📋 Frequently Asked Questions

    What does brown butter taste like?

    Browning butter adds a nutty and caramelized flavor to the butter, giving it a rich and unique taste.

    Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

    Yes, you can use salted butter if that's all you have on hand. Just omit the added salt in the recipe.

    How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

    The edges should be lightly golden brown and the tops of the cookies should look slightly set.

    🥣 Serving Suggestions

    • These Peanut Butter Stuffed Cookies are delicious nutty cookies that are great for your holiday cookie exchange. 
    • I have to admit that pecan sandies are by far one of my favorite cookies to make when I'm craving a nutty cookie. Plus, they have simple steps to make them so even beginners can bake them. 
    • These Cherry Whipped Shortbread cookies are another one of my favorite easy cookie recipes to bake for the holiday season or when I'm craving something sweet. 

    🍽 Similar recipes

    • Are you looking for another delicious pecan recipe to make for your family? This Whiskey Pecan Pie is a perfect choice! With its rich, buttery crust and boozy filling, it's sure to be a hit at any gathering. 
    • These Baked Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders are a great way to use this delicious nut in a savory dish. If you are looking for some new meal inspiration for your family this is the recipe for you. 
    • 'For another delicious cookie recipe that your whole family will love check out these Big Fat Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies or these Nieman Marcus $250 Dollar Cookies. 

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    📖 Recipe

    Chocolate chip brown butter cookies with pecans on a plate.

    Browned Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Enjoy Browned Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are buttery and full of pecan and chocolate flavors. Using brown butter adds a bit of a nutty flavor to these decadent cookies.
    Print (Email Required) Rate
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    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: brown butter pecan chocolate chip cookies, brown butter pecan cookies, butter pecan cookies
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes
    refrigerator time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 28 minutes minutes
    Servings: 20 cookies
    Calories: 316kcal
    Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Parchment Paper
    • rimmed baking sheet
    • Ice Cream/Cookie Scoops, various sizes
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter softened (step 1)
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon butter extract
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 8 ounces milk chocolate bar chopped
    • ¾ cup chopped pecans
    • 20 whole pecan optional topping

    Save the Recipe?

    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the unsalted butter until browned and nutty smelling, stir frequently, about 5 minutes. Once browned, remove from the heat and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl whisk together the white sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Then pour in the browned butter and whisk until combined. There should be no clumps of brown sugar visible.
    • To the butter/sugar mixture, whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and butter extract, whisk until smooth.
    • Sift in the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Whisk until just combined.
    • Add the chopped pecans and chocolate. Gently fold into the cookie dough.
    • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
    • Preheat the oven to 370°F. Place parchment paper on a large baking tray. Use a 2-inch cookie scooper to create balls of dough and place them on the baking tray.
      Optional, top each cookie with a whole pecan.
    • Bake for 13 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven or until the edges are golden brown.
    • Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

    NOTES

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    Baking note: The longer the cookie dough is refrigerated the more the flavors will deepen. Day 4 chilled dough is the best.
    Storage: Store cookies in an airtight covered container for up to 4-5 days.
    I'm not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
     
    Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon
      

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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