Description
Sweet Southern comfort meets cookie perfection in these pecan pie cookies, blending classic pie flavors with irresistible bite-sized charm. Nutty pecans nestled in a rich caramel-like filling create a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust Base:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
Pecan Filling:
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Garnish/Topping:
- 1/4 cup whole pecans
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Chill the butter and cut into small cubes to prepare for the pie crust base.
- Blend flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg and pulse until the dough comes together into a cohesive ball.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 2-inch round circles.
- Place dough circles on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
- Create a small indentation in the center of each cookie using the back of a spoon.
- Combine corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl to create the pecan filling.
- Fold chopped pecans into the filling mixture until evenly distributed.
- Spoon the pecan filling into the center of each cookie base.
- Top each cookie with a whole pecan for additional texture and decoration.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges are golden and the filling is set.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Drizzle honey over the cooled cookies and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Ensure butter is ice-cold for the flakiest, most tender crust that melts in your mouth.
- Use a food processor for the most consistent and quick dough preparation, avoiding overworking the mixture.
- Create uniform cookie sizes by using a round cookie cutter or drinking glass for perfectly shaped bases.
- Replace corn syrup with maple syrup for a more natural, deeper flavor profile that complements the pecans beautifully.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to the filling to enhance their nutty, rich flavor and add depth to the overall taste.
- Chill the cookies after baking to help the filling set and intensify the caramel-like texture of the pecan topping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg