Butter Pecan Cookies

Meltingly tender like traditional shortbread, these are super nutty and super easy.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated October 11, 2024
Elise Bauer

I love butter pecan cookies! I love the way they melt in your mouth. I love the taste of pecans, and of course, the taste of butter. These cookies lasted about an hour here.

Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe served on a plate
Elise Bauer

Tip for Making the Best Pecan Cookies

By the way, here's a tip I learned over lunch with Bay Area pastry chef Shuna Fish Lydon of Eggbeater. Beat the butter first. Then, add sugar and beat them together. This is the way it is supposed to be done. (Thanks Shuna!)

Butter Pecan Cookies
Elise Bauer

Tricks for Better Butter Pecan Cookies

  • It's not necessary to grease the baking sheets or line them with parchment paper for this recipe. But for easier cleanup, line your sheets with parchment.
  • To make the cookies more even in shape, you can bake them in a muffin pan. But you'll still want to flatten the cookies before baking.
  • To keep the dough from sticking to the glass when flattening, chill the glass beforehand, or dip the bottom in sugar in between cookies.

How To Store and Freeze Pecan Cookies

Once you've rolled the dough into balls, you can freeze them to bake later. First freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, to keep them from sticking together. Once they're firm, place them in a zip top bag for up to 3 months. (We recommend writing the bake time and temperature on the outside of the bag, because who can remember anything once it goes into the black hole of the freezer?)

When you're ready to bake the cookies, let the dough thaw on a baking sheet while the oven preheats. Then, flatten the dough with a glass before baking as directed.

Baked butter pecan cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. You can also freeze the baked cookies. Be sure they are completely cooled, and place them in an airtight plastic container (again, labeled with the name and date). Place wax paper or parchment sheets between layers. Baked cookies can keep for months in the freezer if completely sealed from the air, but best to eat them after 3 to 4 weeks. Let the cookies defrost completely before serving.

More Pecan Recipes

Got leftover pecans? Here’s how to use them up!

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Butter Pecan Cookies

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 12 servings
Yield 1 dozen

Recipe adapted from a Butter Pecan Cookies recipe in Martha Stewart Everyday Food.

If you want a nuttier flavor, toast the nuts lightly before adding to the batter. In a preheated 350°F oven, place the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 5 to 10 minutes, tossing occasionally for even cooking. Remove from pan immediately.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick, 112g) unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1/3 cup (70g) sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

  •  1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour

  • 3/4 cup (80g) pecans, chopped

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Make the cookie dough:

    With an electric mixer, beat the butter for about a minute. Add sugar and beat until light, about 1 minute more. Beat in vanilla, salt, and flour, scraping down sides of bowl, just until dough comes together. Fold in pecans.

  3. Roll into balls, place on cookie sheet:

    Separate dough into 12 pieces; shape dough into walnut-sized balls. Place 3 inches apart on a baking sheet.

  4. Gently flatten with a glass:

    Using the bottom of a glass, gently flatten each cookie. Reshape sides if necessary.

  5. Bake:

    Bake 15 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through for even cooking. Remove and cool cookies on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
179 Calories
12g Fat
16g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 179
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 22mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 43mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.