Name: Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (340 g); 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks), slightly cooled; 1 cup light brown sugar; 3/4 cup sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans; 2 cups chocolate chips

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 5 reviews

If you are looking for a cookie that perfectly balances softness, chewiness, and a little crunch, then this Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe is going to become your new go-to. With toasted pecans bringing a warm, nutty flavor that complements the rich, melty chocolate chips, these cookies deliver a buttery, tender bite every time. It’s a recipe you’ll want to pull out whenever a cookie craving hits, and once you taste the combination of toasted nuts and gooey chocolate chips, it’ll be hard not to make them a family favorite in your home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl filled with smooth, creamy light brown dough sits in the center on a white marbled surface. Two metal beaters with some dough on them rest beside the bowl, showing the soft and thick texture of the mixture. Above the bowl, there are two white bowls, one filled with dark brown chocolate chips and the other with broken pieces of brown pecans. A light beige cloth is laid casually on the left side of the frame. The scene has a warm, natural look with soft lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These simple but essential ingredients come together to create the perfect harmony of texture and flavor in your cookies. Each element plays an important role, from the buttery richness to the subtle saltiness that enhances the sweetness.

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and chew in the cookies. Weighing the flour helps get the perfect texture.
1 teaspoon cornstarch: Adds tenderness by softening the dough.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Ensures the cookies rise just right without getting too fluffy.
½ teaspoon sea salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies flavors.
1 cup unsalted butter, melted: Gives the cookies their rich, golden color and chewy texture.
1 cup light brown sugar: Adds moisture and depth with a subtle caramel flavor.
¾ cup sugar: Boosts sweetness and helps with cookie spread.
2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to a soft interior.
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet aromatic note.
1½ cups chopped pecans: Toasted for crunch and nutty goodness.
2 cups chocolate chips: The melty chocolate pockets that make these cookies irresistible.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

Before mixing your dough, toast the chopped pecans in a skillet over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir them often until they turn fragrant and slightly golden. This step wakes up their flavor and adds a lovely crunch. Be sure to let them cool completely before adding to your dough so they don’t melt your chocolate chips prematurely.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking soda, and cornstarch in a bowl. Having these combined early makes the next steps smooth and ensures everything is distributed evenly throughout the dough.

Step 3: Beat Butter and Sugars

Using an electric mixer, beat the melted butter with brown and white sugars until smooth and creamy. This blend forms the base of your cookie dough’s tender crumb and contributes to its slightly caramelized flavor.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. This helps incorporate moisture and bind the dough, plus the vanilla adds that unmistakable warm sweetness that chocolate chip cookies are loved for.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as there are no more flour streaks. Then gently fold in the toasted pecans and chocolate chips for that perfect blend of chewy and crunchy.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

This dough absolutely needs to chill for at least 2 hours to let the flavors develop and prevent too much spreading during baking. For easier handling, chill the dough initially for 30 minutes, then scoop into balls using about 1½ tablespoons each, arrange on parchment-lined trays, and chill the remaining time.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Let the dough sit out for about 5-10 minutes for a slight softening before placing your cookie balls 2 inches apart on parchment paper. Bake for about 9 to 12 minutes or until edges turn a golden brown but the tops still look a bit soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that classic tender-middle, crisp-edge cookie we all crave.

Step 8: Cool and Store

After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the tray for 3-4 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe

Several soft, round cookies with a light brown color are shown on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a textured top with dark chocolate chunks and small pieces of light brown nuts scattered evenly. Two cookies are broken in half, showing the same inside texture as the outside, with melted dark chocolate strands visible between the broken parts. The cookies have slightly golden edges and a soft, chewy look in the center. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top right after baking for an irresistible sweet and salty finish. If you’re feeling decadent, add a few extra toasted pecan halves on top before the last few minutes of baking for extra texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, but don’t stop there. Serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of your favorite coffee or tea for a perfectly indulgent treat any time of day.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn these cookies into an impressive dessert by sandwiching a scoop of spiced pumpkin or cinnamon ice cream between two cookies. You can also crumble them over yogurt or pudding for a nutty, chocolaty crunch that elevates any snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies keep their softness best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can add a slice of bread in the container to help retain moisture and keep them tender for several days.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead for busy days, freeze the dough balls on a tray before transferring them to a freezer bag. When ready, bake them directly from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time. Cookies themselves freeze beautifully too; just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

For freshly baked taste, warm cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in an oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This revives the gooey chocolate and buttery softness so they feel like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I substitute walnuts for pecans in this recipe?

Absolutely! Walnuts work wonderfully and offer a slightly different but equally delicious earthy crunch. Just toast them the same way before adding to the dough.

Why is chilling the dough necessary?

Chilling solidifies the melted butter, which slows down spreading during baking and helps create that chewy texture. It also allows the flavors to meld together, making the cookies tastier.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but reduce added salt slightly to avoid an overly salty cookie. Unsalted butter gives you full control over the salt in the recipe.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for golden edges with slightly soft, pale centers. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so it’s better to err on the side of underbaking for that perfect chewy texture.

Can I mix in other types of chocolate or add dried fruit?

Definitely! Try mixing dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, or even chunks for variation. Dried cherries or cranberries add a lovely tart contrast to the nuts and chocolate.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies Recipe enough for anyone who loves a cookie that feels homemade and special. The toasted pecans combined with melty chocolate chips create a fantastic flavor that’s sure to win over family and friends. So grab your ingredients, get that dough chilling, and enjoy the sweet, nutty comfort of these incredible cookies.