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Crumbl pecan pie cookies bring all the comfort of classic pecan pie in a portable hand-held treat. Instead of a traditional crust you get a melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie base crowned with a gooey nutty filling just like the pie but quicker and easier. When the holiday craving strikes or you need a next-level bake sale cookie these always steal the show.
I first made these for a Thanksgiving potluck and my friends thought I had bought them from a bakery. Now they are my unexpected favorite for both holidays and rainy weekend baking days.
Ingredients
- Butter: Use a good quality unsalted butter for both the cookie and filling to provide the richest flavor and texture
- Vegetable or canola oil: This makes the cookie base extra tender and moist
- Granulated sugar and powdered sugar: The blend creates a soft melt-in-your-mouth crumb
- Egg: Brings richness and structure be sure it is at room temperature for best results
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth to both cookie and filling choose the best you can find
- All purpose flour: Spoon and level for accuracy Look for a fresh bag for better texture
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet nutty notes in both layers
- Baking powder: Ensures a gentle lift creating that thick bakery style look
- Brown sugar: Use fresh and soft packed for a caramel depth in the filling
- Pecans: Pick fresh pecans or toast them lightly beforehand for crunch and aroma
- Heavy cream: Adds silkiness to the pecan layer Use full fat for best texture
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: Just a pinch sets off the filling’s classic pie flavor profile
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper This sets you up for easy removal and prevents sticking
- Cream the Fats and Sugars:
- Combine softened butter oil granulated sugar and powdered sugar in a large bowl Beat with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer on medium for about 2 to 3 minutes until very light and fluffy This step is crucial for that trademark chewy tender cookie center
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until creamy and totally blended The mixture will look pale and luscious
- Add Dry Ingredients:
- Sprinkle flour salt and baking powder over the wet mixture Mix on low speed just until combined Avoid overmixing for the softest results The dough should be soft and easy to scoop
- Shape and Indent Cookies:
- Scoop 9 even balls of dough onto your baking sheet and gently flatten each into a thick round Use a quarter cup or a rounded measuring spoon to press a deep well in the center of each cookie to hold the pecan filling later
- Bake Cookies:
- Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until edges look set but centers are pale and soft Let them finish firming up on the baking sheet as they cool The slight underbake keeps the cookies ultra gooey in the middle
- Make Pecan Pie Filling:
- Place butter brown sugar and chopped pecans in a medium saucepan Set over medium heat Stir often until everything melts and the mixture is smooth and bubbling about 2 minutes This creates the caramelized base for the filling
- Finish Filling:
- Whisk in cinnamon nutmeg salt heavy cream and vanilla Stir constantly until glossy and thickened Slight bubbling is perfect It should look pourable but a little thick
- Fill Cookies and Cool:
- Remove the filling from the heat and immediately spoon into the wells of each baked cookie Let them set at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes The topping sets up chewy but never dry
Pecans are hands down my favorite part Their crunch and aroma remind me of baking with my grandmother every winter The aroma of toasting them in butter just fills the house with holiday warmth
Storage Tips
Once completely cool layer cookies in an airtight container with parchment between them They will keep fresh for three days at room temperature You can also refrigerate for a longer shelf life Bring back to room temperature before serving for the best texture
Ingredient Substitutions
No heavy cream You can use half and half or even evaporated milk just note the filling will be a little less luxurious For nut allergies try using toasted sunflower seeds and a touch of maple for the topping instead
Serving Suggestions
These cookies make a stunning addition to a dessert platter at Thanksgiving or friendsgiving Pair them with hot cider or bourbon coffee for an extra cozy treat They also pack perfectly for holiday gift boxes
Cultural and Historical Context
Pecan pie is a cherished Southern staple and making it in cookie form draws on the holiday spirit while skipping the challenge of piecrust Pecan cookies are a time honored tradition across the American South especially around winter celebrations
Seasonal Adaptations
Swap cinnamon and nutmeg for orange zest in springtime Add mini chocolate chips for a chocolate pecan pie twist Use maple extract instead of vanilla for a cold weather twist
Success Stories
Many home bakers find these cookies win over even pie skeptics Kids love helping to press wells in the dough Watching the caramel pecan filling bubble on the stove brings everyone into the kitchen
Freezer Meal Conversion
Freeze unfilled cookies in a single layer until solid then transfer to a zipper bag You can thaw and add fresh filling before serving or freeze fully assembled cookies and microwave briefly to melt the topping for a bakery fresh taste
If you crave the best of pecan pie and soft cookies these are a perfect combo. Enjoy for the holidays or whenever you want a bakery-worthy treat in your own kitchen.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you get the filling to stay on top?
Indent the cookie centers before baking and add the pecan filling after cookies have cooled slightly. This keeps the topping neatly contained.
- → Can you make the cookies ahead of time?
Bake the cookie bases in advance, then add the pecan topping just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
- → What's the best way to freeze these?
Let cookies cool, separate layers with parchment, store in an airtight container, and thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
- → Why use a sugar cookie base instead of pie crust?
The sugar cookie base offers a softer, chewier texture, complementing the gooey pecan topping beautifully.
- → How can I make smaller cookies?
Use a smaller scoop for dough, reduce baking time accordingly, and create a shallower indent for the filling.