Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

brown butter pecan cookie with bite out of it

Easy Brown Butter Pecan Cookies are soft, tender, and packed with chopped pecans. You’ll get deep, rich caramel flavors from browning the butter, to give you the ultimate cookie experience!

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown butter pecan cookies, butter pecan cookies

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Chill time: 30

Total Time: 55

Servings: cookies

Calories: 154kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks butter divided
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chocolate chips optional
Flaky sea salt optional garnish

Instructions

In a small saucepan, melt one stick of butter over medium heat.Melt the butter and then cook it, swirling occasionally, until it is light brown in color.it will smell nutty soon and it should take about 5 minutes.
Transfer the browned butter to a large bowl and the bits of browned butter left behind.
Melt the 1/2 stick of butter and pour it into the browned butter mixture.
Using a whisk, add the brown sugar and combine.
Add in the egg and the pure vanilla extract, whisk.
Combine the flour and baking soda in a small bowl. Then, add the dry ingredients to the mixture.Stir until you no longer see any large lumps.
Fold in pecans and chocolate chips. Be careful not to overmix.
Chill the butter pecan cookie dough for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to form cookie dough balls. Place the cookies 2 inches apart to leave room for them to spread as they bake. Lightly press down each cookie so they are about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with flaky salt.
Bake the cookies for 11-14 minutes or until the edges have set. Remove the pan from the oven and lightly tap it on the stove or counter. This will deflate them so they finish flattening out.
Cool the cookies on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack.

Notes

Don't overmix the cookie dough.

You can skip adding chocolate chips and flaky salt.

Nutrition