Homemade Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
If you haven’t jumped on the browned butter cookie trend, you need to get on this train because you’ve been missing out. The nutty, rich flavor of the browned butter is divine. I love making browned butter cookies not only for the incredible taste, but also because I don’t have to drag out my mixer and can stir everything together by hand in one bowl. Add in some Fisher Pecans for extra nutty flavor and lovely bits of texture throughout, and you’ve got yourself a winner. This is my fifth year working with the Fisher nuts brand. I choose to work with Fisher nuts because Fisher nuts are fresh out of their shells, have no preservatives, and are non-GMO Project Verified. Fisher has nine varieties of recipe nuts certified as Heart Healthy by the American Heart Association. The stand-up bag is designed for convenience and it is resealable so your nuts stay fresh longer.
We have to talk about the flaky, slightly crunch sea salt on top of these pecan cookies. I love salty-and-sweet treats and even if you don’t think you do, you probably do. Just humor me, okay. The flavor of chocolate is totally elevated with the simple addition of sea salt. Because you’re starting with melted rather than creamed butter, the cookies are wonderfully chewy while cornstarch keeps them soft for days. Because they stay soft for days, they’re a perfect cookie for holiday cookie exchanges. Plus, they’re unique and not like every other red-and-green spritz cookie or sugar cookie cutout. I wish I was in a cookie exchange where these were floating around because I adored these browned butter chocolate chip cookies. The cookies are loaded with chocolate chips and the crunchy Fisher Pecans are a wonderful contrast to the soft, chewy dough and melted chocolate chips.
What’s in These Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies?
To make this homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe, you’ll need:
Unsalted butter Egg Light brown sugar Granulated sugar Vanilla extract All-purpose flour Cornstarch Baking soda Kosher salt Semi-sweet chocolate chips Fisher pecans Flaky sea salt
How to Make Pecan Cookies
To make these chocolate chip pecan cookies, you’ll first need to brown the butter. Once that’s done, combine the butter, egg, vanilla, and sugars and whisk to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients, then gently fold in the pecans and chocolate chips. Scoop the cookie dough into balls, then place mounds on a large plate or tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Once chilled, place the dough balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray and bake until edges have set and tops are just set, even if slightly undercooked, pale, and glossy in the center. Let these brown butter chocolate chip cookies cool slightly before enjoying them alongside a big glass of milk.
How to Store Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
These homemade chocolate chip cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Also, unbaked cookie dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. If baking straight from freezer with frozen dough, you don’t have to thaw it. Bake straight from freezer, possibly adding 1 to 2 minutes to baking time if necessary.
Do I Have to Brown the Butter?
Technically, no. But I highly recommend doing so as the browned butter adds a depth of flavor to these pecan cookies you won’t get from plain melted butter.
Tips for Making Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
You can use either whole pecans that you chop yourself or go with the pre-chopped variety. I had whole pecans on hand and used those. I don’t find it necessary to toast the nuts before using them in the cookies but if you do, add them to a dry skillet over medium-low heat and toast until they’re aromatic. Also, salt varies wildly from table to kosher to sea salt, and it can take some experimenting to know which salt to use for what purpose. For the dough, I used kosher salt and for topping the cookies I used flaky sea salt. Both are available in mainstream grocery stores, no special trips required. Use your favorite brands and add to taste. A generous pinch on the top of each cookie works for us. Note that since the butter is melted rather than creamed, the dough may seem oily yet crumbly, which sounds paradoxical but it’s possible. The chocolate chips and pecans tend to slide out of the raw dough mounds, but just keep pushing them in. Lastly, it’s mandatory that the dough be chilled for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before baking – no exceptions or the cookies will bake flat, thin, and spread like crazy. Don’t overbake them because they taste better a bit underbaked.
More Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft chocolate chip cookies packed with chocolate chips and crunchy pretzels! Salty-and-sweet all in one! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
The Best Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies – One of my favorite recipes for chocolate chip cookies! Just one bite and I think you’ll agree!
Softbatch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies – Move over butter, cream cheese keeps these cookies soft and extra thick!
The Best Soft and Chewy Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies – You’ll never miss the butter in these cookies that are so soft & loaded to the max with chocolate!
Chocolate Chip and Chunk Cookies – My gold standard Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for over two years!
Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies {Copycat} – Learn all the secrets to making the famous Mrs. Fields cookies at home! The recipe is easy, spot-on, and they taste just like the real thing!
Hershey’s Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies – An oldtime recipe that’s a keeper! Chocolaty, buttery, soft cookie perfection! If you need a recipe so your cookies stay ultra soft for days, this is the one!
Turtles Candies Chocolate Chip Cookies – Chocolate chip cookies stuffed with Turtles candies! Soft, chewy, and buttery with caramel and chocolate!
New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies {From Jacques Torres} – I made this infamous recipe to see if it lives up to the hype….or not!
Easy Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies — Big bakery-style cookies made in one bowl and no mixer required! Soft and buttery, perfectly chewy, and loaded with chocolate! It’s hard to eat just one!
Post is brought to you by Fisher. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own. #ThinkFisher This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fisher. The opinions and text are all mine.
