Pecans are the most classy of all nuts. They also help make cookies classy as well. I’ve found 18 cookie recipes using pecans that I think you will really enjoy. They range from buttery shortbread to soft gooey caramel. Grab the good butter and let’s get baking.
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1) Classic Pecan Shortbread
These cookies are a shortbread round with an incredibly tempting texture. I keep a tin in case of surprise guests (and midnight snacking)!
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Classic Pecan Shortbread
We have buttery sandy shortbread featuring toasted pecans and just the right amount of sugar to keep it classy.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar until pale and fluffy, then beat in the vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and salt just until a soft dough forms, then fold in the toasted pecans.
- Shape into a log, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes until firm.
- Slice into 1/4-inch rounds and arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 325F for 16 to 18 minutes until the edges are barely golden.
- Cool on the pan a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
The dough log keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, so you can slice and bake whenever the craving hits.
2) Maple Pecan Delights
Real maple syrup creates a warm fall flavor in these soft little cookies that you can enjoy anytime!
Maple Pecan Delights
Soft and slightly chewy cookies sweetened with genuine maple syrup and topped with a maple glaze.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the maple syrup and egg until smooth.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Fold in the chopped pecans and scoop tablespoon mounds onto lined sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until set but still soft in the center.
- Whisk the powdered sugar with a splash of maple syrup and drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Notes
Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for that deep flavor.
3) Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies
The showstoppers of the batch are the gooey caramel, the crunchy pecans, and a little bit of flaky sea salt on top.
Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies
Brown sugar cookies with pecans and puddles of melted salted caramel!
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and baking soda until a thick dough forms, then fold in the pecans.
- Scoop into balls and press a few caramel pieces into the center of each.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set.
- Sprinkle with flaky salt right out of the oven and let the caramel firm up before serving.
Notes
Let them cool fully so the caramel doesn't scorch little fingers.
4) Pecan Chocolate Chip Wonders
Your traditional chocolate chip cookie has received a facelift with the addition of toasted pecans folded straight in!
Pecan Chocolate Chip Wonders
Thick and chewy chocolate chip and pecan cookies.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter with both sugars until light, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together and stir into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons onto lined baking sheets, spacing them apart.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until golden at the edges and soft in the middle.
Notes
Toast the pecans first for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
5) Spiced Pecan Snickerdoodles
All of the warm snickerdoodle charm combined with warm spices and crunchy pecans.
Spiced Pecan Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles are soft and tangy cookies that have been rolled in a mix of pecans and cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter with 1 1/4 cups sugar, then beat in the eggs.
- Stir together the flour, cream of tartar, and baking soda, then mix into the butter.
- Fold in the finely chopped pecans until evenly combined.
- Combine the remaining sugar with the cinnamon and nutmeg in a shallow bowl.
- Roll dough balls in the spiced sugar and place on lined sheets.
- Bake at 375F for 9 to 11 minutes until puffed and just set.
Notes
Cream of tartar is the secret to that signature snickerdoodle tang.
6) Butter Pecan Sandies
The aim of these gentle little sandies is for them to practically melt away on your tongue.
Butter Pecan Sandies
Pecans that have been toasted, and a coat of sugar, and a rich and crumbly butter cookie make this a rich butter cookie.
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy, then mix in the vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and salt until a crumbly dough comes together.
- Fold in the toasted pecans and gently knead to combine.
- Roll into small balls and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 325F for 13 to 15 minutes until set but still pale.
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar and cool, then roll again.
Notes
A double roll in powdered sugar gives them that classic snowball look.
7) Cranberry Pecan Gems
The buttery pecans and the tart dried cranberries really give these cookies that holiday cookie tray feel!
Cranberry Pecan Gems
Cranberries and pecans are mixed into the buttery drop cookies.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Fold in the cranberries and chopped pecans until evenly spread.
- Drop rounded tablespoons onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 11 to 13 minutes until the edges turn golden.
- Cool on the pan briefly before moving to a rack.
Notes
Swap in dried cherries if that's what you have on hand.
8) Honey Pecan Crunchies
These cookies have slightly crisp edges and an irresistible scent, all thanks to the small amount of honey.
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Honey Pecan Crunchies
Golden, crisp cookies with honey and lots of crunchy pecan pieces.
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the butter, honey, and sugar until smooth, then mix in the egg.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt and add to the bowl.
- Fold in the chopped pecans until the dough is studded throughout.
- Drop spoonfuls onto lined sheets and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Bake at 350F for 12 to 14 minutes until crisp and golden at the edges.
Notes
Let them cool completely on the pan to crisp all the way through.
9) Chewy Pecan Molasses Cookies
One bite of this cookie will take you right into the heart of the holidays with the perfect combination of deep, spicy molasses and buttery pecans.
Chewy Pecan Molasses Cookies
Warm spices and pecan crunch give these molasses cookies their softness and chewiness.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the molasses and egg.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Fold in the chopped pecans until evenly combined.
- Roll into balls and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 9 to 11 minutes until crackled on top and soft in the center.
- Let cool on the pan a few minutes so they set up chewy.
Notes
Pull them just as the tops crack for the chewiest texture.
10) Pecan Oatmeal Softies
Soft cookies with wholesome oats and pecans make a great breakfast!
Pecan Oatmeal Softies
Tender and chewy pecan oatmeal cookies are delicious and quite filling.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter with both sugars, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Mix in the oats and pecans until the dough is thick and chunky.
- Drop rounded scoops onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 11 to 13 minutes until set at the edges and soft in the middle.
Notes
Toss in a handful of raisins if your crew likes them.
11) Glazed Pecan Lemon Drops
It may sound interesting to pair bright lemon flavors with toasty pecans, but give this recipe put together a try and you will believe!!
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Stir together the flour and baking powder, then mix into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the finely chopped pecans to make a soft dough.
- Drop spoonfuls onto lined baking sheets and bake at 350F for 9 to 11 minutes until pale gold.
- Whisk the powdered sugar with a little lemon juice and drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Notes
Zest the lemon before juicing it for the brightest flavor.
12) Pecan Praline Crisps
These thin, lacy, and caramelized cookies crisps taste as if a praline candy in a burst of creativity chose to become a cookie.
Pecan Praline Crisps
These cookies are fragile and breakable, yet they are filled with the delicious, rich, and buttery flavors of Praline Caramelized Pecans.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and baking soda to make a loose batter.
- Fold in the finely chopped pecans.
- Drop small teaspoons onto lined sheets, spacing well since they spread.
- Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes until deeply golden and lacy at the edges.
- Cool completely on the pan so they crisp up before lifting off.
Notes
These spread a lot, so keep them small and well spaced.
13) Cinnamon Pecan Swirls
Delicious pinwheels with cinnamon and pecans that make it look like you really slaved over these!
Cinnamon Pecan Swirls
Delicious rolled butter cookies mixed with cinnamon sugar and finely cut pecans.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and granulated sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and salt to make a smooth dough, then roll into a rectangle on parchment.
- Mix the cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans and sprinkle evenly over the dough.
- Roll up tightly into a log, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
- Slice into 1/4-inch rounds and place on lined sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until set and lightly golden.
Notes
Chilling the log well makes for clean, pretty swirls.
14) Toffee Pecan Chews
The buttery toffee and pecan bits make these cookies so good you will definitely want to hide them from the rest of your family!
Toffee Pecan Chews
Brown sugar cookies filled with crunchy toffee pieces and pecans.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Fold in the toffee bits and chopped pecans.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until golden at the edges and chewy in the middle.
- Let cool on the pan so the toffee resets.
Notes
Cool fully so the melted toffee firms back up into little crunchy bites.
15) White Chocolate Pecan Dreams
White chocolate and pecans are the perfect combination for cookies.
White Chocolate Pecan Dreams
Pecan cookies with white chocolate pieces are buttery and soft.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter with both sugars until fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Whisk the flour and baking soda, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
- Drop rounded scoops onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden and centers look soft.
Notes
Reserve a few chips and pecans to press on top for picture-perfect cookies.
16) Pumpkin Pecan Spice Cookies
These cookies are soft and pillowy with a warm, cozy spice. They are like a hug in cookie form!
Pumpkin Pecan Spice Cookies
Cookies fall into the cake category and contain warm spices and chopped pecans for a great crunch.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the pumpkin and egg.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice, then stir into the wet mixture.
- Fold in the chopped pecans to make a soft, thick batter.
- Drop rounded scoops onto lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 12 to 14 minutes until puffed and set.
- Cool fully before serving since they firm up as they sit.
Notes
A simple cream cheese drizzle takes these over the top.
17) Vanilla Bean Pecan Delicacies
The tiny pieces of real vanilla bean in the cookies give them a luxurious flavor.
Vanilla Bean Pecan Delicacies
Delicate and buttery cookies have hints of vanilla beans and are sprinkled with finely chopped pecans.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar until light, then beat in the egg and vanilla bean seeds.
- Stir in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the finely chopped pecans.
- Roll into balls and gently flatten on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 11 to 13 minutes until set and barely golden at the edges.
- Cool on the pan before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Pure vanilla extract works in a pinch, but the bean specks are worth it.
18) Espresso Pecan Bliss Bites
A touch of espresso powder adds an adult flavor to these little cookies that goes perfectly with coffee.
Espresso Pecan Bliss Bites
Sweet and delicious coffee flavored cookies with crunchy bits of pecan.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and espresso powder.
- Stir together the flour and baking soda and mix into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips and finely chopped pecans.
- Roll into small bite-sized balls and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 9 to 11 minutes until set at the edges.
- Cool briefly on the pan before serving with coffee.
Notes
Dissolve the espresso powder in a teaspoon of warm water if you want a smoother flavor.