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For the best butterscotch pecan cookies, you need the following ingredients: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 cup packed brown sugar, light or dark - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 cup butterscotch chips, for a creamy sweetness - 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped for a crunchy texture - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, adding warmth and flair These ingredients come together to create a rich, chewy cookie. The butter adds richness, while the sugars create that perfect sweet balance. Eggs help bind everything, giving the cookie a nice structure. Flour provides the base, while baking soda helps them rise. Butterscotch chips add sweetness and flavor, and chopped pecans bring a delightful crunch. Lastly, cinnamon warms up the taste, making each bite even better. Gathering these ingredients is the first step to making a delicious treat that everyone will love! {{ingredient_image_2}} - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. - In a large bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. - Add the eggs, one at a time. Then, pour in the vanilla extract. - In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, fine sea salt, and ground cinnamon. - Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir gently to combine. - Carefully fold in the butterscotch chips and chopped pecans. Make sure they are mixed evenly. - Scoop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie. - Place the sheets in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden brown. The centers should stay soft. - After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. To avoid tough cookies, mix the dough gently. Overmixing can lead to a chewy texture, which is not ideal for butterscotch pecan cookies. When adding dry ingredients, stir until just combined. This keeps your cookies soft and tender. To maintain soft centers, remove the cookies when the edges are golden, but the middle looks slightly underbaked. This ensures they stay chewy. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set. You can add spices like nutmeg or clove. These spices bring warmth and a unique twist to the cookies. Just a small amount can make a big difference in flavor. Experiment with different nuts too. While pecans add crunch, walnuts or almonds can provide a fun change. Each nut offers its own taste and texture, making your cookies special. For a creative display, arrange the cookies on a decorative platter. You can sprinkle extra chopped pecans and butterscotch chips on top for a nice touch. This makes them look even more appealing. Pair your cookies with a tall glass of cold milk. The cold milk complements the warm cookies. It creates a delightful snack that everyone will love! Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better emulsification, resulting in a smoother dough and ultimately a better texture in your cookies. Don’t Overmix the Dough: When combining dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so be gentle! Chill the Dough: For an extra chewy texture, consider chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps to prevent spreading and enhances flavor. Check for Doneness: Bake until the edges are golden but the centers are slightly underbaked. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet after removal from the oven. {{image_4}} You can make a fun twist on the classic cookie. Just swap some butterscotch chips for chocolate chips. This adds a rich, creamy taste. You still keep the crunch from the pecans. The mix of flavors will surprise your taste buds. Want to make these cookies gluten-free? Simply use a gluten-free flour blend. Many blends work well in cookies. Look for one that has a good texture. This way, you can enjoy the same great taste without the gluten. You can easily make these cookies vegan. Replace the eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce. Use a plant-based butter instead of regular butter. This way, everyone can enjoy these sweet treats. The flavor stays rich and delicious, just like the original recipe. To keep your butterscotch pecan cookies fresh, store them properly. You can keep them at room temperature or in the fridge. - Room Temperature: Place them in an airtight container. This keeps them soft for up to a week. - Refrigerated Storage: For longer freshness, store them in the fridge. They will last about two weeks this way. You can freeze these cookies for later enjoyment. Freezing keeps their taste and texture intact. Here’s how to do it: 1. Cool Completely: Let your cookies cool on a wire rack first. 2. Wrap Properly: Place them in a single layer in a freezer bag. Seal it tightly to prevent air. 3. Label and Date: Write the date on the bag. This helps you keep track of freshness. When you want some, just take them out. Let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. These cookies can stay fresh for a while. - At Room Temperature: Expect them to last about a week. - In the Fridge: They can last up to two weeks. - Frozen: Properly frozen cookies can last up to three months. Enjoy your butterscotch pecan cookies any time! Yes, you can use salted butter. It will add more saltiness to the cookies. This can change the taste, making it richer. If you use salted butter, skip the added salt in the recipe. This will keep the balance of flavors just right. Unsalted butter is best for precise control over salt levels. If you don’t have butterscotch chips, try chocolate chips. They add a sweet, rich flavor. You can also use toffee bits for a crunchy twist. Peanut butter chips are another fun option. Each choice will change the taste a bit, but they all work well. Mix and match to find what you love best! Check the edges of the cookies. They should be golden brown. The centers may look soft and slightly underbaked. This gives a chewy texture, which is perfect. Let them cool a bit on the baking sheet. They will firm up as they cool. If they look too dry or dark, they are likely overbaked. This blog post covered all the key steps to make delicious butterscotch pecan cookies. We explored the ingredients, baking tips, variations, and storage methods. With the right techniques, you can enjoy soft, chewy cookies any time. Don't hesitate to try new flavors or store them for later. Baking can be fun, and these cookies will surely impress anyone who tries them. Enjoy your next baking adventure!

Butterscotch Pecan Cookies

Delicious cookies with a creamy butterscotch flavor and crunchy pecans.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar, light or dark
  • 1 2/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color (about 3-5 minutes).
  • Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until all the wet ingredients are well combined.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, fine sea salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
  • Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon. Stir gently until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
  • Carefully fold in the butterscotch chips and chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly scattered throughout the dough.
  • Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
  • Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for a chewy texture.
  • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Afterward, gently transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Arrange the freshly baked cookies on a decorative platter. For an elegant finish, sprinkle a few extra chopped pecans and butterscotch chips on top. Pair with a tall glass of cold milk for a delightful and satisfying treat!
Keyword butterscotch, cookies, dessert, pecans