Oh, the smell of baking! For me, it’s more than just a delicious aroma filling the kitchen; it’s like a warm hug from the past. I’m Anna Kowalska, and here I share tried-and-true homemade recipes that you and your family will love. Everything is made with heart and flavor. I remember as a kid, my grandma’s kitchen was always buzzing with something wonderful. That’s where my love for baking really took root. When I first tried to capture the magic of a whole pecan pie in a bite-sized treat, these Pecan Pie Cookies were born! They’re not just cookies; they’re little moments of pure, nutty, caramelly bliss that remind me of those cherished family gatherings. Trust me, they’re going to become your new favorite too!
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Why You’ll Love These Pecan Pie Cookies
Get ready to fall head over heels for these amazing Pecan Pie Cookies! They’re the perfect little packages of everything you adore about classic pecan pie, but in a cute, easy-to-handle cookie form. You’ll love them because:
- They’re surprisingly simple to whip up, even for a weeknight treat!
- That sweet, nutty, caramel-y flavor is just out-of-this-world good.
- They look so festive, making them ideal for holidays, parties, or just because!
- Everyone always raves about them – they’re total crowd-pleasers.
Gather Your Pecan Pie Cookies Ingredients
Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row for these fantastic Pecan Pie Cookies! Making sure you have everything ready makes the whole process so much smoother. We’ve got two main parts to this recipe: the cookie base and that irresistible pecan filling. Don’t worry if some ingredients seem simple; it’s how we put them together that makes the magic happen!
| Filling: | |
| Butter | ¼ cup (softened) |
| Confectioners’ Sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Light Corn Syrup | 3 tablespoons |
| Finely Chopped Pecans | ¾ cup |
| Cookies: | |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 cups |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Brown Sugar, packed | 1 cup |
| Butter, softened | ¾ cup |
| Large Egg | 1 |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon |
Ingredient Notes for Pecan Pie Cookies
A few little notes to make sure your Pecan Pie Cookies turn out perfectly! For the pecans, make sure they’re chopped pretty finely. This helps them distribute evenly in the filling and makes the cookies easier to eat. If you can’t find light corn syrup, a regular corn syrup will work just fine. For the brown sugar, packing it into the measuring cup is key for the right sweetness and moisture. And for the butter, make sure it’s truly softened – not melted, but soft enough to easily press your finger into. This makes creaming it with the sugar so much easier!
How to Prepare Perfect Pecan Pie Cookies
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these incredible Pecan Pie Cookies! It’s a two-part magic show: first, we’ll whip up that glorious pecan filling, and then we’ll create the perfect little cookie cups to hold all that goodness. Don’t worry, it’s totally doable and so rewarding!
First things first, let’s make that yummy filling. Grab a small saucepan and melt that ¼ cup of butter over medium heat. Once it’s all liquid gold, stir in the confectioners’ sugar and the light corn syrup. Keep stirring until everything is nice and dissolved. Now, here’s the fun part – bring that mixture to a gentle boil, stirring pretty often. Once it’s bubbling away, stir in your finely chopped pecans until they’re all coated. Pop this into the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes. This helps it firm up so it’s easier to scoop later.
While that filling is getting cozy in the fridge, let’s get our cookie dough ready. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Trust me, getting the oven nice and hot beforehand makes all the difference. In a medium bowl, whisk together your 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. This dry mixture is going to give our cookies their structure.
Now, grab a larger bowl. It’s time to cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar. Beat them until they’re nice and creamy – you want it light and fluffy. Then, crack in your large egg and add that teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat it all together until it’s well combined and looks wonderfully smooth. This is where the flavor really starts to build!
Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix it up until a lovely, soft dough forms. Don’t overmix it, though! Just mix until you don’t see any more dry flour streaks. We want a tender cookie, not a tough one.
Here comes the fun part for assembling your Pecan Pie Cookies! You’ll want to grab a mini muffin tin. Take about a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, and then gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of each mini muffin cup. You want to create a little “cup” shape, like a tiny pie crust. It doesn’t have to be perfect! If the dough is a bit sticky, a little flour on your hands can help.
Once your cookie cups are all lined up, it’s time to fill them! Take about 1 teaspoon of that chilled pecan filling and spoon it right into the center of each cookie cup. Don’t overfill them, or the filling might bubble over too much. Just a nice, generous teaspoon should do the trick.
Now, pop that muffin tin into your preheated oven. Bake them for about 10 to 13 minutes. You’re looking for the edges of the cookie to be lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as ovens can vary! Once they’re done, let them cool in the muffin tin for just a few minutes. This is important so they don’t fall apart. Then, carefully transfer your beautiful Pecan Pie Cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy every single bite!
Tips for Baking Your Best Pecan Pie Cookies
Want to make your Pecan Pie Cookies absolutely perfect every single time? I’ve learned a few tricks along the way that really make a difference. First off, don’t skip chilling that pecan filling! It’s a game-changer for scooping and keeping it from oozing out too much. Also, make sure your cookie dough isn’t too thick or too thin when you’re pressing it into the muffin tins. If it’s too thick, it might not bake through; too thin, and it won’t hold its shape.
When you’re forming the cookie cups, try to get the dough to go up the sides evenly. This helps cradle that delicious pecan filling. And for baking, keep a close eye on them! Ovens can be sneaky, and you want those edges to be just lightly golden, not deeply browned, so the filling stays gooey and doesn’t get burnt.
Oh, and a little tip for easy removal: let them cool in the mini muffin tin for just 5 minutes before transferring them to the wire rack. This little bit of cooling time helps them set up just enough so they don’t crumble when you take them out. Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pecan Pie Cookies
Got questions about these delightful Pecan Pie Cookies? I’ve got answers! Baking should be fun, and a little clarity goes a long way.
Q1. Can I make the pecan filling ahead of time for my Pecan Pie Cookies?
Absolutely! You can easily make the pecan filling a day or two in advance. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator. It might firm up a bit more, so give it a quick stir before you start filling your cookie cups.
Q2. My pecan filling bubbled over. What did I do wrong with my Pecan Pie Cookies?
Don’t worry, it happens! The most common reason for filling bubbling over is overfilling the cookie cups. Try to stick to about 1 teaspoon of filling per cookie. Also, make sure your oven is at the correct temperature (350°F or 175°C) because if it’s too hot, the filling can boil too rapidly.
Q3. Can I use different nuts instead of pecans in these cookies?
While they’re called Pecan Pie Cookies for a reason, you can certainly experiment! Finely chopped walnuts would be a delicious substitute. Make sure they are chopped finely, just like the pecans, for the best texture in the filling.
Q4. How do I get my Pecan Pie Cookies to have that perfect little pie crust edge?
The trick is to gently press the dough up the sides of the mini muffin cup. You don’t need to go all the way to the top, but make sure there’s a nice little wall to hold the filling. Don’t press too hard, though, or the dough might become tough. A slightly imperfect edge just adds to their homemade charm!
Storing and Reheating Your Pecan Pie Cookies
These delightful Pecan Pie Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but sometimes we just can’t eat them all at once, right? No worries! Storing and reheating them is super simple, so you can enjoy that delicious taste whenever the craving strikes.
| Storage Method | Details |
| Room Temperature | Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They tend to stay softest when kept at room temp. |
| Refrigerator | For longer storage (up to a week), pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They might firm up a bit. |
| Freezer | Want to save them for longer? Wrap them well in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. |
When you’re ready to reheat your Pecan Pie Cookies, it’s easy! If they’ve been chilled or frozen, just let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. For a warm, just-baked feel, pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at around 300°F (150°C) for just 3-5 minutes. They’ll be wonderfully gooey again!
Nutritional Estimate for Pecan Pie Cookies
Just a little heads-up, the nutrition info for these yummy Pecan Pie Cookies is an estimate, okay? Because everyone’s ingredients and brands can be a little different, the exact numbers might vary. This is just a general idea of what you’re getting in each delicious cookie!
| Serving Size | 1 cookie |
| Calories | 185 |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Sodium | 82mg |
| Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Protein | 2g |
Amazing Pecan Pie Cookies: 12-Minute Bliss
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pecan Pie Cookies are delightful treats that capture the essence of mini pecan pies. They are perfect for special occasions and add a unique touch to any cookie assortment. You can customize the flavor by adding spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to the cookie dough.
Ingredients
- Filling:
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
- Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Prepare the filling: Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in confectioners’ sugar and corn syrup until dissolved. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Stir in pecans. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk together flour and baking powder.
- Beat brown sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to form a dough.
- Form dough balls, flatten them into cupcake pan cups to line the bottom and sides.
- Fill each crust with about 1 teaspoon of pecan filling.
- Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until lightly browned.
- Cool briefly in pans, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- The video for this recipe incorrectly states cornstarch instead of corn syrup.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 82mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
