Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade chocolate chip pecan cookies with this easy baking recipe. Perfectly balanced with crisp edges and chewy centers, these cookies feature toasted pecans and premium chocolate chunks for an elevated twist on the classic favorite. The secret brown butter method creates unbeatable flavor!

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

12 mins

Serves:

24 cookies

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">225g unsalted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g light brown sugar, packed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 large eggs, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">5ml vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">280g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon baking soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g dark chocolate chunks (or high-quality chocolate chips)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g pecan halves, lightly toasted and roughly chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Flaky sea salt for sprinkling (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer or electric hand mixer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheets</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper or silicone baking mats</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cookie scoop</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Place the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely, then continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter foams, crackles, and then turns amber with a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Small brown specks (milk solids) will appear in the bottom of the pan - these add tremendous flavor. Pour into a heat-proof bowl and let cool for 10 minutes. This brown butter technique adds a rich, toffee-like dimension that elevates these cookies.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>While the butter cools, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. If your pecans aren't already toasted, spread them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 6-8 minutes until fragrant. Let cool completely before chopping.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In a large bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with both sugars. Beat with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until well incorporated and slightly lighter in color. The sugar crystals will help aerate the butter, creating a better cookie structure.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and ribbony.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as no dry flour remains.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Fold in the chocolate chunks and toasted pecans by hand using a rubber spatula, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>For the best texture and flavor, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). This resting period allows the flour to hydrate fully and the flavors to develop. If you're short on time, you can bake immediately, but the cookies will spread more.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into 40g balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 5cm (2 inches) between each cookie to allow for spreading. Slightly flatten the tops with your palm.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly underbaked. The cookies will continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven. For perfectly round cookies, use a large round cutter to gently scoot around each hot cookie immediately after baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>If using, sprinkle each cookie with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt while still warm. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will firm up as they cool while maintaining a chewy center.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze portioned cookie dough balls and bake from frozen (just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time) for fresh cookies anytime.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies?

These cookies require unsalted butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, dark chocolate chunks, toasted pecan halves, and optional flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top.

How to cook Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies at home?

Learn how to cook Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies by browning butter first for enhanced flavour, then combining it with sugars and eggs. Mix in dry ingredients, fold in chocolate chunks and toasted pecans, and chill the dough. Scoop into portions, bake at 180°C for 10-12 minutes until golden at the edges but still soft in the centre.

Why should I brown the butter for cookie dough?

Browning butter creates a nutty, toffee-like flavour that adds incredible depth to cookies. The process caramelises the milk solids in butter, enhancing the overall taste profile and complementing the pecans and chocolate perfectly. This simple extra step elevates ordinary cookies to bakery-quality treats.

What's the secret to cookies with crispy edges and chewy centres?

The secret lies in four key factors: a proper butter-to-sugar ratio, slightly underbaking (removing cookies when edges are set but centres look underdone), chilling the dough before baking, and using brown sugar which retains more moisture than white sugar alone.

Can I make these cookies without nuts or with different mix-ins?

Absolutely! You can omit pecans entirely or substitute with walnuts, hazelnuts, or even macadamias. For nut allergies, try adding extra chocolate, dried cherries, caramel bits, or toffee pieces. The brown butter base creates a delicious foundation for countless flavour combinations.

Want to try something else in ...