Five-Ingredient Butter Pecan Cookies
Simple, buttery cookies studded with toasted pecans, requiring only five basic ingredients for a quick homemade treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 24 minutes layers (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Beat in 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined.
- Step 4: Gradually add 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.
- Step 5: Fold in 1 cup chopped toasted pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Step 6: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Step 7: Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
- Step 8: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Butter Pecan Cookies take to make?
Total time is about 24 minutes (10 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Five-Ingredient Butter Pecan Cookies?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Butter Pecan Cookies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Five-Ingredient Butter Pecan Cookies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Five-Ingredient Butter Pecan Cookies?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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